Let’s talk about the need to wander: a book review of Adventurers Abroad

“I always wonder why birds choose to stay in the same place when they can fly anywhere on the earth. Then I ask myself the same question.” (Harun Yahya)

There are many ways to describe that feeling, just under your sternum and to the right of your heart, which precedes the urge to move, to go, to wander, to explore. Many of us have felt that itch ourselves, and we certainly all know someone who has, that friend or acquaintance who packed up their bags and just went. Robert Nelson opens his book Adventurers Abroad: The New American Expat Generation by reporting that “the United Nations, which tracks international migration annually, reported that migration from one country to another is a global phenomenon that is growing in scope, complexity and impact, and is a modern reality of a globalized world.”

Remember when we were in grade school, and the textbook was hideous except for the fun case studies at the beginning of every chapter? Adventurers Abroad is a collection of the fun part of the chapter – a series of stories of expats, scattered all over the world, and their motivations, challenges, and successes. The book explores the expanding world of those who, for a myriad reasons, decide that they, at least for some time, no longer wish to live in their country of origin – in this case, America. And Robert Nelson dives deeper – his opening chapter discusses the evolving definition of the term expatriate, and how a globalized world and advanced mobility are changing the way we view our wanderings, whether they be temporary or permanent.

If you’re going to read this book, make sure you have plenty of fresh pages in your passport, because it will take you all over the world. Throughout, the expats themselves will tell you what they wish they had known before they’d left, what they should have planned more thoroughly, and what ended up working out perfectly. This is a good read if you’re thinking of making a move yourself, or if you’re curious about the motivations of adventurers in a constantly changing world. Should you have any follow-up questions, the author himself has asked me to let you guys know that you can reach him at bob@myinternationaladventure.com or through the Contact page of myinternationaladventure.com.

Curious? Our friends at iRead Book Tours are giving away three copies of the book, either in print or as a Kindle copy, and the giveaway is open internationally! Head over to the book tour page and scroll down to “Enter the giveaway” to throw your hat in the ring, and let me know if you end up getting a copy! You can, of course, also buy the book directly on Amazon right over here.

My question, dear reader, is this: if you’ve felt that itch yourself, the one to the right of your heart: did you pay attention? Did you go? And where did it take you?

As always, happy adventures and wanderings, whether they involve packing a bag and heading for the train/car/bus/plane, or curling up in your favorite chair with a fantastic book.

Adventurers Abroad Author Bio: 

A long-time expat, Robert Nelson wrote his first book, “Boomers in Paradise: Living in Puerto Vallarta,” while residing in that Mexican international resort city for seven years. He has also lived in Germany, Turkey and Greece and has traveled to over a dozen countries on three continents. He also is a co-founder of www.MyInternationalAdventure.com, an online publisher of international relocation planning information and resources.

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