I need a great book. My favorites are "On the Road" by JK and "Rolling Nowhere" by TC. Nonfiction preferred.

Answer 1

If you like "On The Road" you'll LOVE the "Fear and Loathing" books of Hunter Thompson (The inventor of "Gonzo Journalism"). There are a number of them. Personally, I liked "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" the best.

You may also wish to check out the non-fiction works of Tom Wolfe (Electric Kool Aid Acid Test. Radical Chic & Mau Mauing the Flak Catchers).

Answer 2

Hunter S Thompson is a great writer, somewhat in the same vein. If you haven't read any of his stuff, do yourself a favor and try it. He wrote about hanging out with the early Hells Angels as well as his more famous books on Las Vegas and politics.
While it's mostly non-fiction, it's written from his point of view, making it a little more 'human' than standard non-fiction.

In addition, Edward Abbey wrote 'Desert Solitare' about living out in Arches Nat'l Park in Utah (which is gorgeous) by himself as a ranger before the park got developed.

Answer 3

Into Thin Air by John Krakauer - a journalist's account of an Everest expedition gone awry. Read 11 pages or so here: http://outside.away.com/outside/destinations/199609/199609_into_thin_air_1.html

Touching the Void by Joe Simpson - true story of mountaineering among the Peruvian Andes when things went terribly wrong. Check out his website http://www.noordinaryjoe.co.uk/books.asp


Mark Twain's Roughing It tells of his years out West. Gentle humor mixed with history, this should be a great read. Read online, free and legal, at http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/TwaRoug.html

John F. Kennedy's Pulitzer-Prize winning Profiles in Courage is a fascinating smorgasboard of tales of political courage, told with flair.

Good luck with your reading!

Answer 4

Despite "On the Road" being fiction, it was fun. It made me want to hop on a train and travel the country. Steinbeck's "Travels With Charley" made me want to hop in a truck with a camper and tour the nation. So rock that one next.
If you want to give fiction another go, check out Gary Paulsen's "The Car." It isn't as epic as Kerouac's, but it's like "OTR" for young adults, and is still entertaining and informative for all ages.
"Candyfreak" by Steve Almond will keep you from reading about touring the nation aimlessly. Instead, Almond tours candy factories. Can't go wrong with material like that.
Being more of a fan of the "I'm going somewhere" books than the "I'm wandering aimlessly" ones, I suggest Bill Bryson. Any of them are good, but "The Lost Continent" is probably more your style. Bryson searches for a good small town in America. Hilarity ensues in full Bryson formation. My favorite is his collection of essays, "I'm a Stranger Here Myself," but it isn't as wandery-dreamy as the ones you have listed.

Answer 5

Try The Innocents Abroad, the travel writings of Mark Twain during his trip to Europe and the Middle East.

Answer 6

Have you read "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer? It is a non-fiction book about this guy from an upper-middle class family who decided to drop out of society and travel around the U.S. I hope you like it as much as I did!

Answer 7

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Curious_Incident_of_the_Dog_in_the_Night-time

Answer 8

on the road is fiction, my friend. Try Travels with Charie by John Steinbeck

Answer 9

wow everyone put what i was going to say...hunter s. thompson definitely...my favorite by him is "the rum diary"...bill bryson is great (i like his "a walk in the woods")...tom wolfe is wonderful (his newest one "i am charlotte simmons" was much better than i expected but it's fiction)...

check out:
"go ask alice"
"doors of perception"
"walden"
"death be not proud"

Answer 10

Maybe 'DOWN AND out in PARIS AND lONDON" BY oRWELL.a GOOD POINT FROM THE PERSON ABOVE ...perhaps "The Seven Pillars of Wisdom" by T.E. Lawrence..Hmmm..must go back ...