Motoring with Mohammed

Motoring with Mohammed chronicles Eric Hansen's experiences in Yemen after he shipwrecks off the coast in 1978. The narrative centers on his return to Yemen seven years later to recover notebooks he was forced to leave behind. Hansen's account captures daily life and customs in Yemen as he travels through remote villages and cities searching for his lost writings. His interactions with locals, from smugglers to scholars, reveal a Yemen rarely seen by outsiders. The story moves between Hansen's initial shipwreck ordeal and his later journey through Yemen's mountainous terrain and ancient settlements. Throughout his quest, he encounters bureaucratic hurdles, cultural misunderstandings, and unexpected allies. This travel memoir explores themes of persistence, cultural exchange, and the power of memory in shaping our connection to places and people. The parallel journeys - both physical and personal - form a meditation on what we lose and find when venturing far from home.

Readers describe this as an engaging travelogue through Yemen that balances humor with cultural insights. The book maintains a lighthearted tone while exploring serious themes. Likes: - Hansen's self-deprecating humor and storytelling style - Details about Yemeni customs, food, and daily life - Vivid descriptions of remote villages and landscapes - Cultural observations without judgment - Personal connections formed with local people Dislikes: - Loose narrative structure that jumps between time periods - Some sections drag with too much detail - Title is misleading - Mohammed is a minor character - Limited historical/political context about Yemen Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (391 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (31 ratings) Notable reader comment: "Hansen has a gift for finding himself in bizarre situations and describing them with wit rather than cynicism" - Goodreads reviewer Common recommendation: "Best for readers who enjoy unconventional travel writing focused on human interactions rather than tourist sites"

Arabian Sands by Wilfred Thesiger The author's chronicle of his journeys through the Empty Quarter of Arabia in the 1940s captures the same spirit of adventure and cultural immersion found in Hansen's Yemen travels.

Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey This memoir of time spent in the American desert presents observations of nature, culture, and human nature that parallel Hansen's experiences with isolation and wilderness.

In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick The true story of a shipwrecked whaling vessel connects to Hansen's nautical misfortunes through themes of survival and maritime adventure.

The Places in Between by Rory Stewart This account of walking across Afghanistan documents interactions with local people and cultural discoveries that echo Hansen's experiences in Yemen.

Nine Parts of Desire by Geraldine Brooks The author's exploration of women's lives in the Middle East provides cultural context and insights that complement Hansen's observations of Yemeni society.

🌊 Author Eric Hansen spent 3,500 days traveling through various remote regions before writing this book, giving him extensive experience with local cultures and customs. 🏺 The manuscript that inspired the book was lost at sea for 11 days when Hansen's boat wrecked off the coast of Yemen, before being recovered in waterlogged condition. 🗺️ The book's journey takes place in Yemen during the 1970s, a time when the country was largely closed to Western travelers and rarely documented in travel literature. 🐪 Hansen's quest to recover his lost journals led him to interact with a diverse cast of characters, including smugglers, fishermen, and a driver named Mohammed who helped him navigate Yemen's bureaucracy. 📚 The book's unique blend of adventure narrative and cultural observation earned it recognition from The New York Times Book Review and helped establish Hansen as a respected voice in travel writing.