TheSamba.com :: View topic - Started reading "Letters to Zerky" tonight....

Tue Feb 08, 2011 12:00 am

Wow. Just Wow. Guy tries to drive his wife and infant son around the world in a mid 60s VW Bus. Journals to his son who will be too young to remember so that he'll one day read it.

DougM

Tue Feb 08, 2011 3:37 am

It's a quick read but a good book. A bit depressing at the end but I enjoyed it. Wife bought it for me for Xmas.

Bill

Tue Feb 08, 2011 9:30 am

Seems like both parents are good writers. Honest writing, too.

DougM

Tue Feb 08, 2011 11:45 pm

I had high expectations. I'll second Bill's review of the book. Was hoping to hear more involvement of the VW Bus in the story. Tragic end, also. Only a single survivor of the 4 adventurers...

DougM

Wed Feb 09, 2011 7:38 am

IdahoDoug wrote: I had high expectations. I'll second Bill's review of the book. Was hoping to hear more involvement of the VW Bus in the story. Tragic end, also. Only a single survivor of the 4 adventurers...

DougM

Why did you spoil it for everyone who has not read the book yet?

Thanks man. :shock:

Mon Feb 28, 2011 12:19 pm

Hey you guys, I'm the guy who wrote that book, "Letters to Zerky, a Father's Legacy to a Lost son and a Road Trip Around the World." Sorry the endings a bummer, but--ah what the hell--that's life.

Send me an email to [email protected], and I'll send you a cool pitcure of the 1973 Vanagon I fixed all up nice to promote the book. But I sure wish it didn't have an automatic transmission. Nobody left on earth knows how to fix them!
Bill R

Mon Feb 28, 2011 12:32 pm

Hey Bill,

What an honor. I am an avid reader, which is to say it takes a bit to move me. With your book, I laughed. I cried. I often turned to my wife (a seasoned world traveler) and read her this bit or that.

I have read several vehicle trip around the world books, but never has it felt more deeply personal. Often I wished for more writing from your wife. One night after reading for a bit, I padded out to the freezing garage in bare feet. I was pondering that I own my own businesses, have an adventurous wife and kids and there's a huge world out there. Walked over to the Syncro project and put my hand on her and wondered where she'd take us. Where, indeed?

As for ruining it for others, I apologize but this aspect is in several reviews and I think the jacket cover or something. No excuse though, so pardon.

DougM

Mon Feb 28, 2011 12:35 pm

ziptip wrote: But I sure wish it didn't have an automatic transmission. Nobody left on earth knows how to fix them!
In Santa Cruz go to Van Cafe. They know want to do!

Mon Feb 28, 2011 12:35 pm

I guess I'll have to buy a copy to find out how it ends.

Tue Mar 08, 2011 9:59 am

Please let me know when you finish reading it. I'd like to know what you think.
--Bill (the author)

Tue Mar 08, 2011 12:47 pm

Hi Bill,

I sent you and email and it was returned. Got another email address or perhaps retype it?

Regards,

DougM

Tue Mar 08, 2011 12:54 pm

I just started reading it last night! Don't spoil it for me!

Tue Mar 08, 2011 1:00 pm

It was in a PM to me.

Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:30 pm

Bill's on TheSamba!! HOW COOL IS THAT??? :D :D :D Okay, calm down, calm down.

Bill Raney writes great stories that speak to the common man and woman. Intensely personal, wonderfully written. The kind of story dangerous to read if you're near a road, a trail, or any means of conveyance going "Out There". Stories about a world that "useta was", a world hidden from modern eyes except to those with diamond-clear vision and lively imagination, able to see over the horizon and spot old dives and rabbit holes at a distance. A perfect read, especially if you're settled down in your Westy, top up in the woods with a campfire burning nearby. This man could be anybody's favorite uncle or best friend; a great storyteller and travelling companion with a packfull of tales.

If you like "Letters To Zerky", go to Bill's website, Waltzing Around the World (http://waltzingaroundtheworld.com/). Check out "In Search of a Lost Penny". Beautiful! Check back often - good things to come.

<To Be Continued...>

Wed Mar 09, 2011 9:33 am

Hey Doug M,
You say "I have read several vehicle trip around the world books," and I say what books? Can you remember any of their names? I'd like to read someone else's account of this sort of thing.
--Bill

Wed Mar 09, 2011 9:42 am

i have a heard alot about this book , now that i know the author is a member of thesamba, its a definate purchase....tip of the hat to you, sir :wink:

Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:22 am

Just ordered mine! I meant to get it earlier and then I forgot, but yeah now that the writer is a Samba guy makes it that much better.

Is this going to be one of those life changing books that makes me quit my job and go travel with the family?.... I kinda hope so :)

Wed Mar 09, 2011 1:20 pm

Hi Bill,

COOL, thanks for joining this discussion!

I bought and read your book a few months ago.
I was hoping for more mention of the vehicle itself, how you laid it out for travel and living, where on earth you stored 3,000 diapers, mechanical issues and fixes, etc.

I enjoyed it overall, and it's a good reminder to document important events for our young kids.

-CJ

Wed Mar 09, 2011 2:54 pm

Hey Bill,

My other passion is LandCruisers, a sickness I've had for 20 years this year. In addition to the recent (2010) trip around the world by Nicolas Rapp, one book I greatly enjoyed was titled "Who Needs A Road" - an account of a trip around the world in an FJ40 LandCruiser. It was a great read and a great story and I believe took place in the 60s.

I've also read books by people in Land Rovers, and another by a guy who tries it on a motorcycle. The FJ40 one would be a definite recommend.

DougM

Thu Mar 10, 2011 8:16 am

Bill,
I too had an email icked back to me. I'll try PM'ing you.....