A New Review of The Moment Collectors ASIA

Sometimes, authors get in touch with each other with the offer to review a book. Such reviews hold real value for me because authors are usually blunt and to the point with their comments. They know how much work goes into making a book happen, yet they don’t suffer BS gladly. Some, when finding a book that they simply haven’t enjoyed, quietly withdraw their offer.

So when an author writes a review for one of the books I’ve either written, or been involved with making happen, it’s an honour. First off, their comments have made it to the publishing stage. But I know their comments will be to the point. I’m always keen to learn.

When I get a review like this one from Kiwi author Des Molloy, it means much!

‘The Moment Collectors by Sam Manicom and Friends

The spiel on the back cover of this new offering from Sam Manicom’s Adventure Motorcycle Travel Books says it all – Take 20 motorcycle travellers from nine countries, experienced and novice, and ask them to write about travelling the world’s largest and most diverse continent: to share a moment from those travels which became priceless. A moment that had them thinking, ‘this is exactly why I’m out here!’

This is Sam’s second ‘Moments’ collection and I hope it is not the last. This is a simple concept and it has been done well. Truly, there are no duds. Like the continent they recount, the writers are a diverse bunch and the lack of similarity gives the book a charm because of it. I thought I would have a favourite, but when I came to picking one out … I couldn’t.

I have a collection of motorcycling adventure books and have read dozens more. Over the years I have come to recognise that a worthy journey can sometimes spawn a very average book and conversely I recall a pretty mundane ride of one week’s duration, resulting in a good book. It is all in the telling. Sam has chosen his scribes well. They all capture the essence of their adventure.

I was pleased that the entirety of Asia was pretty evenly covered, with stories from the Central Asian republics and the Indian sub-continent, as well as what was popularly known as ‘The Far East’.

… and who is it for? I see the target audience as broad. This is a book equally for jaded ex-travellers to relive their own rides vicariously, and for those looking for inspiration and guidance … it will inform and encourage. I appreciated that each of the 20 stories presented has a short section about the bike used, because I once read a book of a pretty epic ride across the ex-Soviet republics … and the writer never once mentioned the bike. Clearly he had no connection with it. Some of the scribes named their bikes fondly, others didn’t. ‘My Little Bastard’ I think was used with some affection towards one.

The section at the back containing pertinent adverts and a list of resources and links, is useful, and a good way to end the book.

In summary, I can find nothing to not like about Moments Asia. I like the concept, I like the format, I like the content. As a bonus there are sketches with each chapter and ten pages of glossy photos in the middle.

Definitely five stars. Your local Bookshop, Amazon or direct from Sam