One Man Caravan

One Man Caravan chronicles Robert Edison Fulton Jr.'s 18-month solo motorcycle journey around the world in 1932-33. The 23-year-old American covered 40,000 miles on his Douglas twin motorcycle, crossing multiple continents and twenty-two countries. Fulton documents his encounters with different cultures, from Turkey to Japan, recording both the hospitality and suspicion he faced as a lone Western traveler. The text incorporates photographs taken during his journey and details about motorcycle maintenance, navigation, and the logistics of crossing borders in the 1930s. His account includes passages through regions that were experiencing political upheaval, meetings with British colonial officials, and interactions with local populations who had never seen a motorcycle. The narrative maintains focus on direct observations and practical challenges rather than elaborate reflections. The book stands as both a motorcycle travelogue and a snapshot of the world between the wars, capturing a period when global travel required intense self-reliance and improvisation. Through Fulton's experiences, the text examines themes of cultural exchange and the universal elements of human interaction across geographical boundaries.

Readers praise Fulton's adventurous spirit and detailed observations from his 1932-33 solo motorcycle journey across Asia. Many note his straightforward writing style and ability to capture both the challenges and human connections made along the way. Liked: - Historical perspective of countries before WWII - Technical details about the motorcycle and repairs - Cultural encounters described without judgment - Period photographs throughout - Humor in difficult situations Disliked: - Some sections move slowly with travel logistics - Limited emotional depth or personal reflection - Writing can be dry at times - Maps could be more detailed Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (186 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (54 ratings) Sample review: "Reading this book is like sitting down with your grandfather and hearing tales of his adventures. The writing isn't polished but the story is remarkable." - Goodreads reviewer

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🌍 In 1932, at age 23, Robert Edison Fulton Jr. became the first person to motorcycle around the world solo, covering 40,000 miles across 22 countries on a twin-cylinder Douglas motorcycle. 🛠️ The author was a prolific inventor who later developed the Airphibian, one of the first successful flying cars, and created aerial gunnery training devices used to train WWII pilots. ✍️ The book was originally published in 1937 after Fulton's mother discovered his detailed journey logs and convinced him to turn them into a manuscript. 🎥 During his journey, Fulton carried a movie camera and captured footage across Asia and the Middle East, creating one of the earliest documentary films of these regions from a traveler's perspective. 🤝 While in Japan, Fulton met with the Douglas Aircraft representative who had originally suggested the journey during a chance encounter at a London dinner party - the conversation that sparked the entire adventure.