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Home > One Man Caravan (Incredible Journeys Books)
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One Man Caravan (Incredible Journeys Books)
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By Robert Edison Fulton Jr.
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 (18 Reviews)
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Publisher:
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Whitehorse Press
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Edition:
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2nd
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Published:
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December 31, 1969 |
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Binding:
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Paperback
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Pages:
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275
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This adventurous work records Robert Edison Fulton's solo round-the-world tour on a two-cylinder Douglas motorcycle between July, 1932 and December, 1933. First published in 1937.
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Customer Reviews:
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R. Fulton circumnavigates the globe on a motorcycle in 1932., July 6, 1999
By A Customer
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"One Man Caravan" is a story very much like adventure travelogues I used to read as a kid. In 1932, a young man of maybe limited resources, but unlimited resourcefulness and "chutzpah", saddles up his motorcycle and travels around the world in 18 months. En route, he encounters exotic locals and locales, battles bad roads, breakdowns, injuries, officials and wanders into hot zones of civil wars - such as the British fighting some rebels in fictitiously-sounding Baluchistan. This would be quite typical travel adventure fare, except that it really happened. The author is Robert Fulton (later known to Cold War afficionados as the inventor of CIA/Navy Skyhook recovery system), grandson of steam-ship builder Fulton. In 1996 (re-publication time of the book) he was alive and riding his motorcycle at age of 87. Well-written and spell-binding, particularly in light of its authenticity.
25 of 25 people found the above review helpful.
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Anyone who rides or doesn't ride will love it, May 26, 2003
By Gene Menzies (Walnut Creek, CA United States)
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Mr. Fulton's style of writing is very straightforward and not nearly as dated as you would think. The narrative moves forward quickly as he describes his adventures in a matter of fact tone. But what a story and what a commentary on how our world has changed! One vignette. He is out of food in the middle of a desert. An Arab shows up and, as was the custom, shares exactly half of his food. Then he disappears inside of his closeby hut. Looking inside, Robert sees him setting up a homemade backgammon board. The Arab beckons him in and begs with his eyes--do you play?? They played all night and he gets trounced by his new friend. As I was reading about his trip from Damascus to Baghdad, our troops were attacking Iraq. I thought that this young man's journey simply could not be made today. The world, despite the technological advances in communications and plane travel, is not a safer place for the American adventurer. Get this book! You will not be able to put it down.
19 of 20 people found the above review helpful.
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The First &The Best, November 22, 2004
By AllenH (Corn-Country, Midwest USA)
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Grandson of the Fulton Engine Genius, and Discoverer/Inventor in his own right, rides around the world on a Douglas Twin during his twenties on a bit of a lark. Out of his off-handed remark to impress a young woman we have one of the best motorcycle travel books ever written. Published umpteen times, I can imagine this book spurring on new generations of riders for decades to come.
The writing is excellent and extremely detailed, we get a breakdown of his trip during each section, along with Fulton's own sketchings and maps of the areas and people he met along the way. Photographs, of all things, to boot: images of a bike in the sea of sand, desert nomads and marketplaces; this book feeds your imagination. After 1 year of reading it a memorable item comes immediately to mind: That of Fulton being saluted and waved straight through road-blocks without stopping, to his incredulity, in occupied and dangerous Warizistan (yes, you've heard this place in the news recently), only to find that he shouldn't have made it past the first gate. It was his safari hat and fatigues that made them believe he was Indian-Army/British attache of all things. ;^)
Fulton himself is still living life with adventure. Still kicking with his old Douglas Twin and flying his own plane at the age of 87+.
If you want the best grab the first. You'll never put it down, and you'll go back a few times just to make sure you got it right when you read it there the first time.
[For other two-wheel journey books I recommend Jupiter's Travels by Ted Simon- inspiration for Ewen McGregor's recent "The Long Way Round" and Ted made the trip without cameramen and support crews!]
17 of 17 people found the above review helpful.
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One Man Caravan, May 6, 2000
By KEITH MOUNT
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The best travel book I have ever read. As a young man in 1933, almost on a dare, Robert Fulton rode a Douglas motorcycle (which he still owns) around the world, not only seeing some increible places but writing about them in a highly entertaining and informative way. The book, like the trip, lacks the higher agenda which mar so many travel stories. Fulton simply set out to have a grand adventure and to write about it with humor and respect for those he met. You'll want to go right now to see some of these places for yourself. My favorite is the spot where Krakatoa once stood, marked by flames on the surface of the sea. A must read for anyone who likes a good travel story.
11 of 11 people found the above review helpful.
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Great, great, great. A real classic, August 24, 2000
By A Customer
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This is the first young man to travel around the world by motorbike. According to him he had no intention of doing so but blurted it out to impress a young girl and then he had to go. Lots of wonderful, funny, self-deprecating humor. He is well educated, highly intelligent, and it shows in his writing. Many wry phrases sneak into this book, "The driver cried out for in". Great reading, and very interesting to learn what traveling was like in 1932. He is apparently still alive and kicking. What an adventure.
9 of 9 people found the above review helpful.
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Great read for 'bikers' and other travellers!, August 2, 2005
By L. Lee Bowman (East Sussex, England)
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In One Man Caravan, Robert Fulton has caught the magic of exploring new places and meeting people from cultures very different to his own. He writes with real fluency and his words evoke the graphic images of the colourful lands through which he takes the reader on this wonderful journey.
6 of 6 people found the above review helpful.
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Candy for the imagination .., January 9, 2007
By B. Leaver (Black Hawk, CO USA)
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I really enjoyed this book; it was too soon over.
I have ridden motorcycles for many years and would liked to have seen more comments on the practical aspects of the trip, even though it was many years ago. I suspect that Mr. Fulton did not keep daily notes but probably wrote down his memories at the conclusion of the trip, thus the detail is not always there.
The portrait of the middle East gives something for the people of today something to think about - basic beliefs and attitudes in that region may not have changed at all. Our expectations may need to be adjusted.
A long trip on a motorcycle is an unforgettable experience for anyone, even today. Four or five days from home, and the resources available there, projects the rider into a state of independence and freedom that I have not found any other way - imagine what it was like for Fulton to be riding across the desert, months from home, no road in some cases, towards the unknown, his life dependent upon his machine continuing to run, and totally on his own.
Every rider should get to read this book - a great treat for the imagination.
3 of 3 people found the above review helpful.
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 good - but...., February 25, 2008
By rk (Las Vegas NV)
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Overall, the book is interesting and informative. It gives some great detail about the middle east, India and Asia in general. From a people perspective, I liked the fact that Mr. Fulton goes into some detail about what the people were like and some personalites. I did find however, that in some spots he focused too much on what people thought and not enough on his thoughts and feelings about "where" he was. Toward the end of the book, he rushed. He spent 80% of the time on the Middle east and India, 10% in the rest of Asia, and no time at all anywhere else. Again, overall, it was interesting and informative, but it did not capture my attention like say Jupiters Travels (same genera, by Ted Simon)
rk
3 of 3 people found the above review helpful.
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Best book i have ever read, January 4, 2007
By Stephen Mitchell (Newhall, Ca USA)
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I could not put this one down. The story is so fantastic that you almost can't believe it happened. To see the world a little as it was 70 years ago was truly a window into the past.
Robert Fulton is a suprizingly good author in that the book flows smoothly and he only talks about what he finds interesting.
2 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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ONE MAN CARAVAN, April 11, 2007
By Gerlinde Horn
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this book was a pleasure to read, since I have been to many of the places he has been. It is true and wonderful and I am glad that from now on it is mine.
2 of 3 people found the above review helpful.
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Inspirational, August 28, 2011
By Darkstar (AUST)
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This is an absolute gem for anyone interested in motorcycle travel considering the times, the quality of equipment and well, the journey himself. I can only assume, like all the best adventures that ignorance of the task involved was bliss!
This is the story of a real hero.
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more from this author, December 28, 2010
By Domingo Chang (Centennial, CO)
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if you liked this book, you'll like his followup DVD: Twice upon a Caravan where footage he shot is displayed.
full review:
[...]
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In The Wind Again, May 21, 2010
By Harley Dude (La Grange, Tx USA)
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I'm glad this was the first bike journey I found to read. "Living" Robert's experiences even though vicariously, amped up my desire to make yet another solo or duo bike journey to places I've never been. I have to hand it to these authors who tread out of country into the third world corners. The way the world is these days, I believe the USA and Canada will have to remain my playground. This book was a must first read for all journey enthusiasts, whether you cut your teeth on Zen and Maintenance or not. My most memorable cruise was a twenty three day solo of more than 8700 miles around the US and Canada on an 87 Heritage just months before 9-11. It's amazing how the world has changed since then.
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One Man Caravan, January 26, 2010
By A. Winter
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This book is the parent of the motorcycle travel genre. Mr. Fulton took off on a "round the world" for the first time that is documented. The amazing thing is that through this book we get a look at places that are very much in the news today. Travel in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Iraq, Turkey and India are in the book along with the difficulty of his passages in these countries.
From the seat of Mr. Fulton's motorcycle we see a world 1930's world that had not felt the effect of the second world war. The Dutch East Indies are in place, the French are in Indochina and the mid east, and Japan is still at peace. This book shows the world as it was on a classic motorcycle trip.
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 Not too bad for a 1932 motorcycle ride around the world, January 24, 2010
By A ship in harbor is safe - but tha.. (Orange County, CA)
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I've gone through a few of these motorcycle books in the recent past (see my other reviews). Some were really good, others not so much. This book by Robert Fulton is not too shabby for a 1932 account of a 'round the world motorcycle ride. And not as dated as one would think. I kept thinking to myself as I read this that the stories aren't that unfamiliar and sound like the author might've just finished the ride.
Some may cringe at Mr. Fulton's very non-politically correct manner of describing foreign cultures. I wasn't offended in the least and accepted his descriptions as "snapshots" of the past. Hey, the guy doesn't like monkey meat or the manner in which the animals are prepared for cooking -- and he said as much. If you are prone strict PC reading or easily offended by those that aren't, perhaps a more modern telling of a motorcyclist's travels would better suit your needs. If you want to read about a pioneer's experiences in an easy-to-read style, this book is for you.
One thing is certain--the author respected and admired the people he met as he sojourned through their lands and obviously enjoyed each experience without being patronizing. As well, he's one lucky dude. He lucked into many situations that could've ended or severely hampered his travels.
All in all, I enjoyed this much more than some of the other comparable -- and more recent -- books on the subject.
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One Man Caravan, Excellent adventure read, January 6, 2009
By OllieOxxen Books (Walla Walla WA)
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I read review on this from another reader who was upset that the book was more of a travelog than a bike adventure. Based on his opinion, I almost did not buy this book. I am very glad to say I did buy it and will read it many more times. Understanding that the book was written 70+ years ago, the travel was more of an adventure than the method of travel, and what this man accomplished on a relic of a bike is astounding. You cannot buy this kind of adventure today for any money. Read it with an open mind, place yourself in the writer's boots, and imagine trying this today on a modern bike. Would you write about the bike or the travel? The writer's bike receives enough space to satisfy and intrigue the reader, the adventure of his travel will stay with you much longer than the type of bike he rode. Buy this book, it is a classic.
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Simply an incredible, timeless book ..., October 17, 2007
By D. S. Greene
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This book would be a fantastic story if it was written TODAY. It's even more incredible that it all happened in 1932-33.
There are so many levels to enjoy in this book ...
* The pure adventure of it all - setting out on a motorcycle (a 750 pound, 6-horsepower monster, no less!) to travel around the world in 1932. It simply is mind-boggling that he pulled it off.
* The observations he makes along the way and how relevant they are even today. His observations of Afghanistan, in particular give insights into what has always been a war-torn country. If Bush & Co. had read this book, maybe we'd have left well enough alone.
* His pure tenacity and luck to get in-and-out of the situations he stumbles into. Being in jail is just part of the gig, and he takes it all in stride.
* The writing itself ... clean, crisp, and engaging. I couldn't put this book down.
This book is fantastic whether or not you ride a motorcycle.
HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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Not too bad for a 1932 motorcycle ride around the world, January 24, 2010
By Dan Diego (Orange County, CA)
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I've gone through a few of these motorcycle books in the recent past (see my other reviews). Some were really good, others not so much. This book by Robert Fulton is not too shabby for a 1932 account of a 'round the world motorcycle ride. And not as dated as one would think. I kept thinking to myself as I read this that the stories aren't that unfamiliar and sound like the author might've just finished the ride.
Some may cringe at Mr. Fulton's very non-politically correct manner of describing foreign cultures. I wasn't offended in the least and accepted his descriptions as "snapshots" of the past. Hey, the guy doesn't like monkey meat or the manner in which the animals are prepared for cooking -- and he said as much. If you are prone strict PC reading or easily offended by those that aren't, perhaps a more modern telling of a motorcyclist's travels would better suit your needs. If you want to read about a pioneer's experiences in an easy-to-read style, this book is for you.
One thing is certain--the author respected and admired the people he met as he sojourned through their lands and obviously enjoyed each experience without being patronizing. As well, he's one lucky dude. He lucked into many situations that could've ended or severely hampered his travels.
All in all, I enjoyed this much more than some of the other comparable -- and more recent -- books on the subject.
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