Livin'

From the Amsterdam Red Light to the African Bush

Non-Fiction - Travel
261 Pages
Reviewed on 05/26/2017
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Author Biography

Livin' was conceived by a moment when I, a lifelong travel enthusiast, admitted to myself I was letting life get in the way. I decided to stop giving in to the easy excuse. I took trips formed from dreams within childhood and trips formed from reading national geographic. A globe hop, not by a biologist or a mountain climber, but by an every-man. From Egypt to South Africa, Amsterdam to Vietnam, Peru to Cambodia, India, China and more. Livin’ is the story of the ride, the road, and the reward.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Livin': From the Amsterdam Red Light to the African Bush is a non-fiction travel memoir written by Frankie Hogan. Hogan is an adventurer/explorer who decided to stop letting life get in the way of his yearning for travel and experiencing new lands and cultures. Livin’ is a collection of memoirs of his solo trips, group trips, and those more local trips he took when there were stricter time limits. His interest in history made going to Egypt and Greece must-see destinations, despite the political turmoil and unrest in each of these countries. While he had postponed his initial plans to visit Egypt in 2011 due to the revolution during that time, he had no qualms about booking his trip for the spring of 2013. Seeing history come alive outside his hotel window in those views of the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Pyramid of Khafre, and learning about the history of the area courtesy of his own Egyptologist, made any risks well worth taking. Amsterdam was another must-experience for this adventurer, who recounts his experiences in this European capital famous for its permissive attitudes towards marijuana and its Red Light District.

Frankie Hogan’s non-fiction travel memoir, Livin': From the Amsterdam Red Light to the African Bush, is an enthralling and entertaining look at travel through the author’s eyes. Hogan packs a wealth of experiences and adventures into this relatively short memoir, and each destination he describes is shared in a wryly affectionate tone. I especially enjoyed Hogan’s trips to Egypt, Africa and Vietnam. The Egyptian memoir is a marvelous travel story that focuses on the history and the author’s own reverence for the antiquities and structures that have withstood the tests of time. His African experience gives a wealth of details on his travels in that continent. As I read it, I found myself searching the internet to learn more about some of the things and animals he encountered during that adventure, including Table Mountain in Cape Town and the African Painted Dogs. When he visits Fairbanks, I held my breath as he and his group were waiting for the Aurora Borealis to appear, and wondered if they’d reach the Arctic Circle before having to turn back because of the storm. Hogan is an excellent guide for the armchair adventurer. His stories are epic and humorous all at once, and he doesn’t take himself too seriously, which adds to the fun. His modern-day explorations are inspirational and will, no doubt, have readers planning their own expeditions. Livin': From the Amsterdam Red Light to the African Bush is most highly recommended.

Sefina Hawke

Livin' (From the Amsterdam Red Light to the African Bush) by Frankie Hogan is a non-fiction travel book that would appeal most to a mixed audience of adults and mature young adults with a love of travel and who do not mind explicit language and sexual situations. This book is a combination of Frankie Hogan’s numerous trips around the world and his experiences from each trip. He shares what it is truly like to travel to all these places around the world and what they were like when he got there. This is not a bland travel guide, but rather an around the world adventure tour book!

Livin' (From the Amsterdam Red Light to the African Bush) by Frankie Hogan was a very interesting read because it did not read like a dry travel guidebook, but rather like an adventure novel. Any guide book can include a list of places to eat and must-see spots, but Frankie Hogan did not just tell me about those places, he took me there! As I was reading, I could actually picture what was happening and imagine myself there, which gave me the ability to tell if the place was truly somewhere I would enjoy traveling to or not. My favorite part of the book was at the beginning when he travels to Egypt and Ibraham guided him through the airport and into his taxi. I could picture just how easily I could become lost at such an airport. It was a good learning experience for me as I now know that if I travel to Egypt I will arrange for someone to meet me at the airport to guide me through it as well. Overall, this is a necessary-read book for anyone considering a trip to a foreign country!

Alyssa Elmore

Livin' (From The Amsterdam Red Light To The African Bush) by Frankie Hogan is an entertaining travel memoir about a man's journeys to unique and exotic locations around the world. Screenwriter Frankie Hogan has always had a desire to experience things; things he can't encounter from outside a movie set. He wanted to experience the hot desert sun being shadowed by The Great Pyramid in Egypt, a safari in Africa, and so many other things. But when? One day, a few years ago, Frankie decided that "someday" was today. Disregarding everyone's opinions of his impulsive behavior, he boards a plane and Frankie's adventures in traveling begin. Visiting places such as the Pyramids of Egypt, the jungles of Peru, The Forbidden City in China, plus so many more locations, Frankie's accounts give you historical and picturesque views of otherwise distant lands and experiences. Be prepared to be amazed and inspired to make today your day to follow your dreams to new horizons and exotic lands!

Livin' (From The Amsterdam Red Light To The African Bush) by Frankie Hogan is more than just a book on travel; it is a detailed and friendly account of a man's travels around the world beyond North America, through the author's eyes. I loved how much history the author shares with readers. His accounts are well-balanced and entertaining if a little too honest. Although there is definitely adult content and cussing, the book's other content outshines the more questionable aspects. I felt like I was with the author as he traveled to different continents, experiencing the cultures, cuisine, and languages.
The author states that he wrote the book to inspire people to take the trip(s) of their dreams. As far as I am concerned, his book has accomplished its purpose. I would recommend this book to adults that love reading books on travel and to those who carry a passport "just in case" someday comes. Make today your someday and take the trip of your dreams!