Tortillas to Totems

Every Day an Adventure, Book 4

By: Sam Manicom, Birgit Schunemann

Narrated by: Sam Manicom

Length: 11 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Sam Manicom's dynamic fourth book is an enticing yet frequently challenging motorcycle journey across the dramatic landscapes of Mexico, the United States and Canada. Sam's partner Birgit is no longer a novice motorcyclist - riding through southern Africa and South America turned her into a rider capable of facing any challenge. But Sam was worried.

As they arrived into North America they had been travelling around the world by motorcycle for six years and he was beginning to think that North America was going to be easy; too easy in fact. Were all the challenges of travel in the developing world countries going to be missing? Sam couldn't have been more wrong.

Samuel Johnson wrote, "The use of travelling is to regulate imagination by reality and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them how they are." After all, aren't these some of the main reasons for going travelling? To experience as many different things and ways of life as possible? To discover new and wonderful things, but also to have preconceived ideas challenged.

This true-life story has more twists and turns than a Rocky Mountain Pass, and more surprises than anyone could expect. As it did them, at times it could challenge you too. Woven into this surprising story are canyons, cowboys, idyllic beaches, bears, mountains, Californian Vineyards, gun-toting policemen with grudges, glaciers, exploding volcanoes, dodgy border crossings, and some of the most stunning open roads that a traveler could ever wish to see.

A gripping rollercoaster of a journey across North America. Sam and Birgit are thrown into a completely new set of challenges. These adventures bring alive the history, geography, human relationships and the pure joy of the open road.

©2011 Sam H.N. Manicom (P)2017 Sam H.N. Manicom

Pretty well done

I enjoyed the story but the appendix dropped my rating to 2 stars 4 without.

Fantastic Adventures!

I've read all of Sam's books now, his sense of adventure, exploration, introspection and reflections as well as his observations of the world, different places and the people living there is incredible. I couldn't put his books down and now I'm actually bummed that I've completed them all!

A wonderful tale told

I had already enjoyed the written manuscript by Sam Manicom, but to have the story told by the author himself brings a different life to the tales of his journey. As always, Sam brings strongly the human side of worldly exploration, the motorcycle Libby being simply the accomplice.

Tortillas to Totems is worth the read for any aspiring traveler to the Americas, in any vehicle one chooses.

Genuine and well written!!

Sam richly describes what he sees and even more what he feels. Reading this book will leave you a better person in more than one aspect.

Another great book by Sam Manicom

Such a great story teller. Makes you feel like you on the journey/adventure with him. Don’t even have to like motorcycles to enjoy his books

Now I want to buy a motorcycle and go on a trip.

Now I want to buy a motorcycle and go on a trip. l think I will go Alaska to Chili first

Real and unpretentious

Sam creates a road map for living life to the fullest while staying within budget. Thank you for this real and unpretentious adventure.

Brilliant!

Absolutely brilliant! I only wish there was another book after this one! I would recommend this to anyone!

Made me appreciate are reevaluate the sights out m

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely. Sam is perhaps the best motorcycle adventure writer of the modern era and one of the better travel writers in general. He does a great job with narration. I am a big proponent of having the author read his/her own work and same does an impeccable job. His enthusiasm draws you in and keep you interested throughout. The recording is also of a very high quality.

What did you like best about this story?

I own all four of his audiobooks as well as print copies of ""Into Africa" and "Under Asian Skies". I was worried that this, his last book, would be somehow lesser because half of it takes place in familiar, highly developed, and easy to tour countries (America and Canada). Let me say that is not the case. It does have a different feel but makes a good bookend for the series. The first half takes place south of the American border, and is a wonderful adventure in the traditional sense, and will surely appease any fan. Surprising to me is that the adventures in America and Canada were compelling as well. There isnt the sense of the unknown one feels in developing countries but there are still great tales to tell. He made me appreciate many of the sights and experiences I often take for granted.

What about Sam Manicom’s performance did you like?

Sam's performances are excellent, surprising since he is not a professional narrator by trade. But generally I prefer an author over a narrator any day. He maintains his enthusiasm throughout and has a voice that doesn't wear on you even after a marathon listening session.

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

There were not standout moments in this book, as there were in his past three books. For me it was more of an overall lesson. There is adventure and something to appreciate everywhere, even in developed places. I can't always get away for months at a time, but I could do several shorter trips. I will surely take more long weekend trips because of this book.

Any additional comments?

All of his books are great. My personal favorite continues to be "Under Asian Skies" but they are all worthwhile reads/listens.

Steady Read

Nice finish of all four books... the attention to detail is great. keep writing and telling stories