After having watched basically all his travel episodes on YouTube, it’s a different spin on Rick that I think anyone who likes to travel and read can appreciate. Highly recommend this book!

I had the opportunity to hear Rick Steves give an address about travel as a political act at our state library conference. I loved the talk and immediately grabbed both the eBook and the audiobook to learn more. (Rick reads the audiobook.) I learned that Rick is so much more than Europe Through the Back Door. He's an activist and philanthropist and truly sees travel as a way to help bridge the divide between cultures. While I am not interested in traveling to some of the countries Rick discusses, I truly enjoyed the opportunity to glean some insights from his trips to El Salvador and Iran and Iraq. I love his thoughts about coming home and putting into practice some of the best of what we learn from how other countries tackle problems. This delightful travelogue will bring you information and inspiration from around the globe.

Reminds me of The Logical Song by Super Tramp: "Better watch what you say, they'll be calling you a radical..." Who knew? Maybe those who follow Rick Steves more closely that I do. I was introduced to Rick by in-laws who used his guide for our 1999 trip to Italy. Had some mixed feelings about the accommodations they chose but overall found the guides useful. The PBS shows also, the Podcasts and Audio Guides more and mores so. When I saw this book I was intrigued. When I read this book I was...I don't know the words...surprised, gratified, in violent agreement. I kept exclaiming "Yes! Yes!" as I was reading the first chapters. I gave up underlining quickly as I feared the whole book would be underlined. The bit about how traveling impacted him as a 14 year old moved me and made me hope my son feels the same. I promptly re-evaluated my traveling to see where my trips felt more hedonistic vs. more involved (bit of both--both ok with Rick). I cannot recommend this book too highly for travelers. It's added a good 10 books to my "Must read" list including some of my favorite travel writers: Paul Theroux, Bill Bryson and T.R. Reid.

I need to find more books like this! So interesting and informative!

Feel-good book with a solid set of principles for travel and inspiring stories to encourage you to get out of your comfort zone.

Steves’ analysis is shallow and comes short of anything radical, but that was to be expected. Still, I was appreciated his analysis and enjoyed learning more about the guy who shapes much of my travel.

Important note: this book was written before the new rise of alt-right extremism.