Jupiter's Travels

By: Ted Simon

Narrated by: Rupert Degas, Ted Simon

Length: 16 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

On October 6, 1973, Ted Simon knew there was no going back. He loaded up his 500cc Triumph Tiger in the pouring rain and said good-bye to London.

Over four years he rode 64,000 miles round the world. Breakdowns, revolutions, war, a spell in prison, and a Californian commune were all part of his experience, which was colored variously by utter despair and unimaginable joy. He was treated as a spy, a god, a welcome stranger, and a curiosity. The extraordinary trip became a journey into his own soul, and for many others - including the bikers Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor - it is a pure inspiration. Rupert Degas, "the most versatile of narrators" (The Times), captures all the thrills and spills of Simon's experience and the timeless charm.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©1979 Ted Simon (P)2015 Naxos AudioBooks

Critic reviews

"[Narrator Rupert] Degas's accents for the various people Simon encounters add an extra dimension to the work, creating a vivid listening experience." (AudioFile)

One of the all time great adventures

If you like to travel, or even if you just dream of traveling, Jupiter’s Travels is a must read. Join Ted Simon on a four year motorcycle ride around the world. See the sites that he saw and meet all of the interesting characters along the way. The Narrator, Rupert Degas, is so convincing that it feels like Ted Simon himself is telling you the tale of his travels!

The best audio book performance, best book

I first read this in print 15 or so years ago. the performance is so good that I actually think that it makes the prose much more vivid. it's incredible.

More Art Than Story

Powerful, moving, intelligent. It reminds me so much of art that really needs to stay in a museum. Don’t get me wrong. It is very, very well written in a sort of “stream of consciousness “ format. Therefore, it lacks a traditional story arc. However, the insight and vocabulary are very stimulating even if I, the reader, need to help the author figure out what the journey is about.

It’s ultimate conclusions are very 1970’s (aka The Beatles, drugs, flowers, deconstruction). I would go back to the museum and look at it again, but it’s too much to hang in my own living room.

JR

It seems that most motorcycle journey books are written by a guy who likes to ride, and then tries to write about it. This book is written by a writer who decided to take a motorcycle journey. That formula is superior. Best motorcycle book I’ve read.

When it was actually cool.

I first ran across this book in 2001, when I work at a bookstore that catered to Travelers.
This edition had Ted on his battered Triumph.
"Four Years Around the World on a Triumph"

I never picked it up to read but I often found myself staring at the cover wishing it was me. I knew at some point in my life I would read this book with the hopes of relating it to my own adventures...more importantly my own life.

15 years later, in the form of an MP3, that time came. Mr. Simon is a master of vivid and heartfelt description. His monumental journey has finally become a part of my imagination.

Thank you Jupiter.

absolutely wonderful

I could write a book about how I enjoyed this book. but I won't. I'll just say I loved it.

Fascinating account read brilliantly

Rupert Degas reads the living heck out of this highly personal, “warts & all” memoir. I found it very compellingly.

For Motorcycle Dreamers

As someone who has ridden motorcycles for the past 55 years, this book is the most enjoyable I have ever read . I listen carefully to every mile an adventure but Ted shared with me, as I toggle on my phone to google maps you better appreciate exactly where Ted was, where he had been, and where he was heading.

I’ve had the good fortune of traveling to the early 40 countries around the world, mostly on business trips, so really appreciate it Ted‘s experiences meeting people from different cultures and making lifelong friends of many of them. Originally growing up in the Midwest, I called silicon Valley Inn California my home for over 45 years now, but could enjoy it relate to some of Ted‘s visit the places I still to this day have a personal and professional relationships with, including Penang Malaysia many countries in western Europe and experiences I’ve had in India.-Chuck

Well written travelogue

Expertly narrated, a superb jaunt around the world while riding the saddle of a Triumph. A world long gone and missed.

5 stars

Ted Simon did an excellent job at describing his trip, surroundings, interactions, and unique personal perspectives.