As an airline employee and aviation enthusiant I love this book. I have finished my fifth reading of it and I keep discovering more insight. I can read it for hours and slip away from present existence to Alexander Frater's world. Truly one of the greatest books for those who love airlines and different cultures. Wonderful.....

this book is currently available in paperback from amazon.co.u

This is excellent and one of those rare books that you can read again and again. Alexander Frater writes about a journey he made using modern air transport that retraces the original route of Imperial Airways (predecessor of today's British Airways) on their pioneering route from London to Brisbane, Australia in the 1930's. Not only is it an extremely interesting travelogue but it also is highly informative in a historical sense. There are also many funny and poignant moments that he relates from his journey. The only downside is that unfortunately it is currently out of print

I never liked India. Too much confusion, too much humanity. I read this book and now I have an unending desire to visit India; top to bottom. Not during Monsoon, not during the dry season, but sometime in between. Mr. Frater delivers an unblinking look at the beauty and inspiration which lies beneath the clutter and dreck. Damn the weather, look at what's there. I envy you the experience of the first read.

Loved it, loved it, loved it. One of my all-time faves.

A wonderfully droll and lively account of a deeply personal adventure to realize a singularly unique obsession. I loved it. Anyone who has ever experienced the collective madness and loopy high spirits that overtakes people who are about to contend with an overwhelming natural event in their lives (ie: approaching blizzard), especially one that isn't likely to kill them or be destroy their lives (ie: hurricane or earthquake), can appreciate this book and the wonderful characters brought so warmly to light.. Is there a people anywhere that isn't obsessed with weather? I think not. Is there any other weather system of so fundemaentally benign an aspect as the monsoon? I think not. Is there one that affects so many people on such a huge scale? I think not. Isn't there room for a great book here? I think so, and this is it. My compliments to Mr. Frater.

Frater's style takes just the reader with him and shares the experience, ideas and emotions on a personal level. The concept of chasing water is unique enough but his style of writing is like a personal letter. I could smell the rain before it fell, I felt drenched, could smell the spices, feel crammed in buses, felt scared in the 'plane, was elated at the climax. Alexander Frater conveys images in such an open, frank manner that I believe him. He's like a traveller reporting in letters of experiences, sights and smells. I felt I knew him and wanted to know more of how he thought. This is a writer of such simplicity without any artifice that I want to be more a part of his world through his writings. Definitely a "must read" of travel books!