Eric Newby - Travel Writer dies aged 86

[Moonraker]

On of the things I used to read a lot as a teenager were travel books which always offered wonderful tales of far away places and adventure. One of the authors I particularly enjoyed reading, and have re-read since was Eric Newby who I see died today. Details on the BBC web site here;

Travel writer Newby dies aged 86

The first book of his I read, and my favourite still, was 'Love and War in the Apennines' which told his story as a soldier taken prisoner and the narrative of war, escape, love, and peasant farmers in Italy's Apennine mountains in 1944.

I would recommend it to anyone as a fascinating story which is wonderfully written.

That he has died is sad, but he had a very rich life, full of adventure and lived until a ripe old age, which is not much more than anyone could ask...

 

[Tengu]

Ive got `Round Ireland in Low Gear`

Its very well written. (particuly the hunt for the fount from which Guinness springs...it turns out to be the Grand Canal.)

 

[bogflogger]

RIP Eric.

Thanks for the many, many, hours of enjoyment I have had from your books.

 

[Bosun]

"A short walk in the Hindu Kush" - classic.

 

[Seagull]

I always thought him to be a cracking writer.
I recall being enchanted by his "Last Grain Race" which I read at sea school and I took it away with me, on my very first trip to sea.

Around 1980 I remember a short TV story, of him revisiting some of the Aussie ports he'd visited on the Grain Race.......in particular, I seem to remember a clip in which they faded the old vistas into the new, including him , absolutely erie, so little had changed.

He recalled his fondness for the thick pea soups of some 40 years previous, seemingly the only thing he really enjoyed.

All in all, a rather ripping yarn in a style never to be forgotten.

Shabash Noobs!

Ceeg

 

[moko]

RIP. A gifted writer who knocked out some true travel classics. The man may have moved on but his works will live on.

 

[leon-b]

well i have never read any of his books but R.I.P eric
leon