The Man Who Would Stop at Nothing

Long-Distance Motorcycling's Endless Road

By: Melissa Holbrook Pierson

Narrated by: Julie Roundtree

Long-distance motorcycling is not a pastime but an obsession. In this candid, eloquent, sharply observed book, Melissa Holbrook Pierson introduces us to this strange endeavor and the men and women who live to ride impossibly long distances, eating up road, almost without cease. And who find it nothing but fun.

Perhaps the most determined of them is John Ryan, a magnetic, enigmatic man who loves nothing better than breaking records of amazing distance - at no small risk to himself and his health. But why? Pierson, who rediscovered the joys of motorcycling in the midst of a personal crisis, puts on her helmet and joins Ryan in his element in order to understand his singular desire and discipline, his passion and his obsession.

The Man Who Would Stop at Nothing offers an intimate glimpse of an unusually independent yet supportive community as well as a revealing, unforgettable portrait of its most daring member. In electric, pitch-perfect prose, Pierson gives us rare insights into not only a subculture but also the deeply human craving for something more that drives it.

©2011 Melissa Holbrook Pierson (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Pierson is an even better writer than she is a rider." (Boston Globe)

For motorcyclists

Excellent writing by Holbrook Pierson as she vividly captures the motorcycling experience. She puts into words what motorcyclists implicitly know about riding but may find challenging to explain. Story revolves around long-distance riding but delves deep into the philosophy and preternatural world of riding and pushing the limits of being human. While I liked the voice of the narrator, it seems clear that she is not very familiar with motorcycles and does not speak the language of motorcycles. I found the pronunciations tortuous at times, making me wince. But, bless her little heart, she tried her best.

reader needs to learn pronounciation.

Julie has not met a word or name she could not mis-pronounce. One name in paticular was pronounced at least 3 different ways. An overall well written book made less enjoyable by the reading.

Woman voice for a man?

Well it’s a old lady narrator for a man and it’s about motorcycles. Too weird

Very enjoyable listen

If you could sum up The Man Who Would Stop at Nothing in three words, what would they be?

Interesting, challenging , relaxing

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Man Who Would Stop at Nothing?

How the motorcycle community pull together to support each other

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When her "friends" pitched in to help her get a bike

Well Written, Poor Narration

I saw the reviews about the narration and tried it anyway. I'm glad I did, but if you have the choice to read it instead, do that.

The story is about John Ryan, Melissa Pierson, and long distance riding. It is also about Moto Guzzi. Be prepared for Julie Roundtree's mispronounciations if you choose to listen.