My new book,Crossed off the Map: Travels in Bolivia, was published in March 2022 by the Latin America Bureau.
Blending travel writing, history and reportage, it tells the story of Bolivia’s profound and unexpected influence on the wider world over the past 500 years – fragments of history largely forgotten beyond its borders.
The book also explores how ordinary Bolivians are coping with some of the touchstone issues of the 21st century: the climate emergency, populism, migration, indigenous rights, national identity, urbanisation, and the ‘war on drugs’.
Crossed off the Map was shortlisted for the Edward Stanford Travel Book of the Year, the British Guild of Travel Writers’ Narrative Travel Book of the Year and the Great Outdoors magazine’s Outdoor Book of the Year. The Washington Post, National Geographic Traveller, Wanderlust, Smithsonian Magazine, TravelPulse and Fifty Grande all named it as one of their travel books of 2022.
‘This thoughtfully written book… is the next best thing to a slow journey through the country’s staggeringly varied topography. Readers can tag along with Meghji by Amazonian riverboat, follow in the footsteps of jungle Jesuits or go on foot into the high-altitude Potosí silver mines that enriched an empire.’ - Jen Rose Smith,Washington Post
'Following in the footsteps of everyone from Che Guevara, conquistadors and colonialists, to Inca pilgrims and even dinosaurs, Meghji is a wonderful travelling companion, bringing to life a Bolivia rarely seen in such bright and beautiful light.' - Monisha Rajesh, author of Around the World in 80 Trains
‘Crossed off the Map covers every corner of the country… it makes for a fascinating combination of good travel writing, history lecture and an exploration of the country’s modern-day challenges.’ - Katie Burton, Geographical
'Crossed off the Map is the best sort of travel book - an informed and informative portrait of Bolivia that doubles as a vicarious journey for readers on an epic scale, through high mountains, across the altiplano and into deep tropical forests.' - Tim Hannigan, author of The Travel Writing Tribe
‘A lively and highly informative historical travelogue… Short and vivid, it races through a history and geography of great drama.’ - Vanessa Baird, New Internationalist
‘A fascinating journey of Bolivia, from a rich past where the country influenced the world in multiple ways to current challenges it faces such as the climate emergency… one of the finest travel books that will be published this year.’ - Mita Mistry, Eastern Eye
Order your copy from Stanfords, Waterstones, Foyles, Practical Action Publishing or Amazon. And read an excerpt from the prologue on the Stanfords blog and another on El Alto, the world’s higest city, in Geographical magazine.
I have also co-authored numerous books about travel, history, culture and adventure sports published by Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, DK Eyewitness and Quarto. They include:
Unforgettable Journeys: The Americas
Europe by Train
You Only Live Once
Run: Races and Trails Around the World
Unforgettable Journeys: Europe
Bucket List: Eco Experiences
Go Here Instead: The Alternative Travel List
Gardens of the World
Migrations: A History of Where We All Come From
Outdoor Europe
Ride: Cycle the World
Hike: Adventures on Foot
The Rough Guide to the 100 Best Places on Earth 2021
500 Walks with Writers, Artists and Musicians
Unforgettable Journeys
Where to Go When
The Bucket List: 1000 Adventures Big and Small
Earthbound: A Rough Guide to the World in Pictures
Make the Most of Your Time on Earth
Make the Most of Your Time in Britain
I also co-wrote a chapter about the history and cultural significance of Brazilian football for Brazil Inside Out, published by the Latin America Bureau.
