A disappointing book, I had high hopes for this one. I thought I would be totally immersed but sadly it was lacking so much.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

"Confessions of an Ignorant Traveler: A Nomad's Journey" by Bob Corley offers a candid and personal account of one man's exploration of the world. The book stands out for its honest reflection on the challenges and revelations that come with a nomadic lifestyle.

A commendable aspect of the book is Corley's openness about his experiences, providing readers with a genuine portrayal of the highs and lows of traveling. The narrative is enriched by the author's self-awareness, making the journey relatable to those who have embarked on their own adventures. Corley's storytelling is engaging, and his reflections on cultural encounters and personal growth contribute to the book's authenticity.

The book's structure allows for an immersive reading experience, as readers follow Corley through various destinations and the evolving landscapes of his journey. The author's ability to convey the cultural nuances and lessons learned along the way adds depth to the narrative, making it more than just a travelogue.

However, some readers may find the book lacking in a more structured exploration of specific themes or insights gained from the journey. While the personal narrative is compelling, a more organized approach could enhance the book's impact by highlighting key takeaways or lessons for readers interested in travel experiences.

In conclusion, "Confessions of an Ignorant Traveler" offers a genuine and reflective account of a nomad's journey. Bob Corley's openness and storytelling make the book an engaging read for those interested in personal travel narratives. While a more structured exploration of insights could enhance its depth, the book serves as an authentic window into the transformative power of travel.

In 1971 after years in the Army, Bob longed for a life with no rules so he traveled to Europe and backpacked for 10 months.

In my opinion, the author failed to actually explore the places he visited and the book mostly consists of him hitching rides from point A to Point B. He makes use of his diary entries of his travels however I find these entries mediocre and seems like he got the information from a Wikipedia page.

Another negative of this book is that he refers to the Netherlands as Holland which I find annoying when people refer to it as Hollad due to the fact that the term only refers to 2 provinces (Noord en Zuid Holland) of the country and excludes the rest.

I felt rather cheated by this book. The author took himself off from small town America in the 1970s with a plan to travel Europe. And travel he did. However, he failed to actually explore or enjoy any of the places he visited - most of the book involves him hitching rides. He uses excerpts from his 'diary' (which at the end he exhorts everyone who travels to write), but the entries are very mediocre and are then padded out by a lot of facts about places he should have visited in the various locations, mostly it seems gleaned from the internet.

The whole thing doesn't really paint any picture of travelling around Europe in the 70s (except maybe a bit of a view of life in a kibbutz). Interspersed are his maundering bits of poetry and observations from his adult self. The whole thing doesn't hang well together and certainly doesn't leave the reader much wiser than before. His endless homilies at the end about how people 'should' travel (as opposed to how he did) are just irritating.

Quite disappointing. Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.