Book info

• Title Pole to Pole
• Author Michael Palin
• Year 1992
• Genres Travel, Memoir

Travelling by train, truck, raft, Ski-Doo, barge, balloon and bicycle, Michael Palin experiences every extreme the world has to offer. Braving the cold grip of the Arctic Circle, and the swirling snowstorms of Spitsbergen, Palin has to cope with friendly locals, occasional gunfire and his own unruly digestive system before he can finally stand in Scott's shoes at the South Pole, in the Land of the Midnight Sun.

Thoughts

Michael Palin’s second travel adventure was a direct opposite of his first - rather than going around the whole world, this time he travelled from top to bottom. It was nicer that there was no time pressure, allowing for a little bit more expanse at certain stops, and certainly less worrying about the travel arrangements (although they didn’t always go to plan). And of course it was interesting to visit different countries - particularly as this trip seems to have occurred at a very changeable time in history.

I particularly liked the visit to Chernobyl, the thoughts about witch doctors, and Palin’s experiences at each pole. But it’s another great journey, well documented, with likeable Palin at the heart of everything - visiting, learning, wondering. Lovely.

Rating: 5 / 5