Palin's Travels.

April 13, 2004 7:27 AM

Palin's Travels. The full texts of all five books in Michael Palin's wonderful travel/adventure series, Around the World in 80 Days, Pole to Pole, Full Circle, Hemingway Adventure, and Sahara are available online, along with loads of pictures, video (Quicktime req.) and audio clips.
posted by Cyrano (16 comments total)

That is one magnificent link. Some decent photography too.
posted by swordfishtrombones at 8:06 AM on April 13, 2004

Man, that is so cool: to put all his books online, for free.
I was concerned this was going to be some fansite breaching copyright, etc, but apparently not.
What a gent.
posted by Blue Stone at 8:07 AM on April 13, 2004

Terrific, thanks Cyrano. Listening to it now.
posted by carter at 8:19 AM on April 13, 2004

Fantastic! Palin's a wonderful ambassador for travel and how enriching it is.

Can't wait for all these to be out on DVD.

Thanks Cyrano.
posted by papercake at 8:23 AM on April 13, 2004

This is great. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the Full Circle series on BBC satellite a few years ago.
posted by planetkyoto at 8:32 AM on April 13, 2004

Michael Palin is wonderful! Hemingway's Chair is a nice little book from him as well.
posted by yoga at 8:47 AM on April 13, 2004

Not to keep lavishing praise on Palin, but I met him in Djenne, Mali and again in Timbuktu while he and the crew were filming the Sahara documentary, and he was the nicest, most down-to-earth guy you'd ever hope to meet. Got to have a few drinks and good conversation with him for a while in the "bar" (and I use the term loosely) at the Azalai hotel in Tim (yes, he bought a round!) and frankly, meeting a totally self-deprecating and humble celebrity was really a pleasant surprise...
posted by lazywhinerkid at 9:37 AM on April 13, 2004

If Palin were sent to a desert island, he'd bring with him:

1. 10,000 piece jigsaw puzzle
2. expresso machine and 1 year coffee supply
3. a Leica camera and I year's supply of black and white film
4. a yoga course
5. a big lazy tabby cat
6. a case of assorted single malt whiskies
7. a set of oil paints and canvases
8. a Whoopee cushion

posted by Hildago at 9:56 AM on April 13, 2004

Wow what an experience lazywhinerkid. Sahara is one of my dream places to visit one day.
Look forward to seeing these on DVD as well.
posted by stbalbach at 10:04 AM on April 13, 2004

Cyrano, you just made my day. Thanks! (And thanks to lazywhinerkid for the Palin anecdote.)
posted by scody at 11:35 AM on April 13, 2004

Thank you Cyrano! This is awesome!

I met Michael Palin just over a year ago at his New York book signing for Sahara (picture here). He was very funny and exceedingly charming, happy to break the no photography allowed rule for me since I'd asked him a good question during the q&a.
posted by lia at 1:55 PM on April 13, 2004

It is indeed a great site and was previously discussed here.
posted by feelinglistless at 2:28 PM on April 13, 2004

Although I love you too, Cyrano ...
posted by feelinglistless at 2:31 PM on April 13, 2004

Fantastic stuff, I loved the tv series, this website is just brilliant. I had not idea that he had put so much stuff on the web. Muchos thankos Cyrano!
posted by chrid at 3:32 PM on April 13, 2004

What a fantastic idea. Although I got the impression from the Hemingway book, that this stuff probably works a little better on TV than in coffee table book format...
posted by arto at 11:29 PM on April 13, 2004

I wish NetFlix would get the Palin videos. If you're a NetFlix customer - make a request.
posted by sixdifferentways at 10:54 PM on April 14, 2004