End-to-End The Worlds Longest Train Journey by Scott Manson

Why read the book?

Scott Manson wrote End-to-End. He rode trains from Vila Real de Santo Antonio in Portugal to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. The trip covered 18,295 kilometres and took 35 days. He changed trains many times across Europe, Russia, Mongolia, China, and into Vietnam. Manson meets all sorts of people in shared cabins.

He sees wide views from quiet fields to busy cities. He tries local food that surprises him. Some trains are noisy and dirty. Others are fast and clean. The book stresses that the journey brings more joy than reaching the end. Manson wrote it after his trip in late 2019. Covid-19 came soon after. Now many trains no longer run. Borders stay closed. Some routes vanished. Readers see a lost chance to travel this way.

The book makes people think about why to take slow trips today. It shows how borders and rules can change fast. Manson adds details from his YouTube channel. He talks about real talks with strangers. He points out small joys like good meals or funny moments. The book warns that such big rail adventures may not come back soon.

Favourite quote

Travelling is better than the arrival at the destination.

What I Loved

End-to-End gives a clear and honest view of a huge train trip. Manson tells stories from each leg of the ride. He describes people he met in tight cabins across Russia and Mongolia. Some talks turn funny. Others show deep views on life.

The book points out stunning scenery that passes by the window. Manson talks about the contrast between old, rough trains and new high-speed ones in China. He asks why train travel pulls people in. He links it to ideas of patience and real contact. The book makes you think about your own trips.

It calls for people to try slow travel before it changes more. Manson writes in a simple, direct way. His style matches his YouTube videos. He keeps facts straight. He shares laughs from odd moments. The examples feel real because they come from his days on the rails.

Readers feel the slow pace and the joy of small discoveries. Manson looks at food that starts bad but turns great. He shows how culture shifts from country to country. He notes border crossings that test patience. He gives hope that new paths might open one day. The end pushes readers to seek their own adventures.

Key Takeaway

Value the journey more than the end point.

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