By Dr. Gegory W. Frazier

horizonsunlimited.com/gregfrazier

Published by: Motorbooks

ISBN: 13:978-0-7603-4583-2

Digital edition: 978-0-76034-583-2

Softcover: 978-1-62788-142-5

Hardcover: $26.00 | Kindle: $16.99

Dr. Greg Frazier is well known as a prolific lecturer, writer and documentary producer on travelling the world via motorcycle, but if you’re familiar with his work and think about it, he’s never actually revealed much about himself.

His latest book, Down and Out, changes that—it’s an autobiography that fills in the gaps an tells us a lot about the man behind the many global circumnavigations. And, it’s easily his best produced work to date.

Few riders have earned the title of professional adventurer in our genre of motorcycling. But how else would we categorize someone who’s ridden round the planet five times, and is still at it?

Yet one gets the impression that Greg was uncomfortable, even a little reluctant, writing about himself in this way—especially in regard to his childhood. And, that perhaps this book project took on an element of self-exploration.

He did grow up at a time when an interest in motorcycles equalled rebellion and in a period when parents typically exercised dictatorial roles in their children’s lives—all factors that affected his early development and subsequent inclinations.

Curiously, Dr. Frazier states he isn’t from the school of thought where world travel has provided particularly enlightening experiences. He seems to be simply driven to it, and claims no other purpose or reason, an unusual take on overlanding that differentiates him from typical authors.

That said, this is anything but a dry psychological study, and the reader will laugh out loud at Greg’s irreverent humor and the often unconventional wisdom of this page turner. The book is also worth mining for the truly useful information the author shares, such as his practice of stashing bikes at various key locations around the world, for convenience and to avoid exorbitant shipping costs.

Much of this writing is from an eccentric point-of-view that makes for fascinating reading. It’s like modern history as seen from a motorcycle seat.

Down and Out is a wonderful story, loaded with useful advice as well as Greg’s trademark irreverent and humorous anecdotes. You’re in for a treat.