like many lovers of travel, i always thought writing for the lonely planet would be a dream job. if i got anything from thomas kohnstamm's book is that the reality of being a lonely planet writer is far from the fantasy in my head. the money you're paid and the time you are given are not enough to cover the extensive research that's expected to put together a guidebook.the book follows kohnstamm on his first lonely planet project as he attempts to cover the entire north-east corner of brazil in an impossibly short time frame. during his travels, he drinks to excess, parties until all hours, sleeps with random women and even resorts to selling ectasy to tourists to help his funds.
a quick and entertaining read, "do travel writers go to hell?" squashed my lonely planet writer dream, but perhaps that's for the best. one less option to consider.
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