Written by Dr. Pat Garrod & Book Review by Paul H. Smith. Posted in Media
As an increasing number of adventure riders take their tales to the written page, the pickin’s just get better. Bearback, by Dr. Pat Garrod, is no exception.
One of the aspects of the four-year journey that makes Pat’s story a little different than most is that he, and his lovely wife Ness, are doctors—even more specifically, general practitioners. What makes this an unusual scenario is that this profession doesn’t normally lend itself to the vagabond nature of motorcycling RTWers.
What else separates this book from the pack? It’s a 500+ page read, a project that was clearly more than just a whim. Bearback is a multilevel experience, with a lot to offer across many different interests.
Obviously, the aspect of exploring the world via motorcycle is the principle theme, but it also orients the reader to life on the road, the love affair between these two extraordinary people, and their ever-evolving philosophical outlook of the world. Let’s not toss that last point away, because perhaps that’s what’s most compelling about world travel… the net result of constant interaction with the people, REAL people, of other lands and cultures.
One might say that the goal of overlanding is to reshape life and rewire world consciousness by chipping away at the misunderstandings and propaganda that tends to separate us all… or, keep us separated. And, that’s the odd thing about books of this nature, the specifics of where the author travels often seem unimportant when compared to the insight gained.
“Giving to beggars is not always the best redistribution of wealth. We have all heard the horror stories of organized begging syndicates in places like India where the desperate and poverty-stricken are deliberately mutilated to improve their earning capability. At times, in certain countries, showing one’s money can lead to a near mobbing. At other times, one has the feeling of opportunists simply taking advantage of your white skin and embarrassed naivety. Not so in Cambodia. We felt moved as never before. Talking to them, they were proud men—it was just that now they had no legs. We found ourselves changing a number of dollars each day into wads of small notes, Riels, for the express purpose of giving to beggars. In the markets we found ourselves buying their postcards, or paintings, or whatever they had made, just to give them something—pathetic perhaps, but if the individuals’ expressions were anything to go by they didn’t think so.”
This is education the way I prefer it. Written by folks who are out there with grit in their teeth, making it go right daily. Firsthand observations on what life is REALLY like out there. There’s so much to be gained, I’m often surprised that anyone could read a book like this and not have the immediate and uncontrollable urge to sell off everything to get out there and do the same.
That said, Bearback is just a damned good story, and very well told. This wonderful work fits the category of “page turner” in every way.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Author: Dr. Pat Garrod
Website: TheWorldOverland.com | Also available on Amazon
Publisher: Matador (Troubador Publishing Ltd.)
ISBN: 978-1848765146
Paperback: $16.50
Note: Many outlanders have resorted to self-publishing their adventures. And the Brit firm, Matador, seems to be leading the pack in our genre. Unlike the old days when a self-published book was a virtual guarantee of unreadable junk, Matador seems to be carving a niche in the opposite direction. Bearback is the second publication of this publishing house that we’re reviewing with high marks, along with high hopes to see more.
