India - The Shimmering Dream

(Paperback)

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Description

This extraordinary account of a remarkable journey made in 1933, through Iraq, Iran and Baluchistan (now part of Pakistan) to India is packed full of wonder, adventure, determination and love of travel and motorcycles. But what really sets this book apart are the wonderful descriptions of the people and cultures, now nearly forgotten, yet still hugely relevant in today's age: all brought evocatively to life by the stunning photos from 1933. At that time, the idea of travelling to India on a motorcycle through the Middle East was considered impossible; there were often no roads, not even any paths, and they were attempting to cross the burning deserts in the middle of August, on a tiny two-stroke motorcycle with barely enough power for the bike and rider, let alone a pillion passenger! This book is more than a fantastic adventure; it also offers some perceptive insights into the peoples, places and cultures of the time, as well as being full of drama, both personal and mechanical, as the motorcycle is urged on across the shimmering sands. A true window on the past - and a book which is definitely a `must have' for all travel and motorcycle enthusiasts.

Reviews

First published in 1949, this is the first English translation of this beautifully-written book and is a must for all travel and motorcycle enthusiasts. - Jonathan Hill Freelance. INDIA - The Shimmering Dream is like a time capsule, giving an insight into the people, the places, their culture and their lives and as such, is a `must have' book for all who are interested in motorcycle travel no matter what age. Nacelle even if you're simply an armchair traveller, this book will keep you interested, amused, entertained and edified for thousands of miles. It's just excellent. Sump a truly incredible tale from a wild and long-forgotten era. Old Bike Australasia.A Boy's Own adventure at its very best. And a fabulously descriptive book - aided by on-trip photographs - to boot. IRDC Quattro. Highly recommended for both large tourists and armchair travellers. Het MotorRijwiel

Author Bio

Maximilian Felix Gottfried Reisch (1912-1985) made his first pioneering long-distance journey when he was still a 20-year-old student in Vienna in 1933. Together with fellow-student Herbert Tichy on pillion, he rode a 250cc Puch light motorcycle from Vienna to Bombay, crossing Iraq, Iran and Baluchistan, as documented in this book. In another break from his studies in 1935, Reisch also undertook a motorcar expedition into Asia, which became the round-the-world trip, and is documented in the book "An Incredible Journey." After the war, Reisch worked in the family wholesale grocery business, but by the 1950s he was again pushing back the boundaries of motor travel with journeys to the Middle East and the desert regions which so attracted him. Max wrote his adventures in a racy personal style which in no way obscures the carefully recorded details of the world he knew. -- The book's translator, Alison Falls, grew up in rural Herefordshire where her father was a general practitioner. A keen motorcyclist, he introduced each of his three children to motorcycles as early as possible, thus encouraging a love of independent travel. Alison studied modern languages at Newnham College, Cambridge and subsequently taught French and German. When her brother came across this story of Max Reisch and the journey by light motorcycle to India in 1933, she was able to translate it for him and in the process developed an enthusiasm for all Reisch's books, including An Incredible Journey, which has also been published by Veloce Publishing.