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"Destinations", Jan Morris
OUP, 1982

Jan Morris was surprised when hip US magazine Rolling Stone asked her to write for it in the mid 1970s. She felt that the avant garde brand of journalism was perhaps at odds with her own style and approach to writing - and accepted immediately.

The results are collected in this anthology, and they are excellent. Morris travels the world to cities that are either in the aftermath, or on the brink, of change. Thus we are treated to Washington just after Watergate, Delhi in a state of emergency, Istanbul at a time when the Iranian revolution was affecting all the Middle East, and many others.

Morris' style of reportage is for me more successful than the sometimes over-descriptive prose she employs in Journeys - another collection of essays. She is forced to be tighter in her style, and she has a journalistic approach that any reporter would be proud of.

At times you can be lulled by a certain graciousness that pervades this book. Morris almost belongs to an earlier era of genteel teas in colonial hotels. But don't be fooled. Beneath this lies an astute observer and one that is not afraid to call it as she sees it. Much is left unsaid, especially when it comes to some of the people Morris encounters.

The chapter on Panama is particularly interesting, especially if you have read Paul Theroux's section on the Canal Zone in Old Patagonian Express. Morris is there in 1975 as the treaty is being negotiated to give control of the Canal to the Panamanians. She takes an interesting imperial historical perspective to the situation, all the while revealing some of the strange anomalies of this state within a state.

Perhaps the most relevant chapter today is that on Southern Africa. Morris finds herself in South Africa and Rhodesia at times of great change. Sadly, it was still a long time before true change would occur in the former, but the seeds were already being planted. Rhodesia however, was ripe for revolution and Morris captures the latent energy of a populace ready to take control. Read in the context of Zimbabwe today I was left with the feeling that these people really deserve a leader who will do them justice. JT

Overall verdict: More journalism than 'travel writing' - and better for it.
Also by Jan Morris: Hong Kong & Journeys
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This is a mountaineering book that not only has great photos but is also enjoyable to read.

It starts off with a nice little spat - competing forewords from Dick "I did the seven first" Bass and Pat "But I did the REAL seven first" Morrow. The difference being whether you count Kosciuszko in Australia, at 2228m, as representing Australasia or prefer the altogether more challenging Cartensz Pyramid in Irian Jaya, 4884m. And in the interests of balance and completeness, the book naturally belies its title and has chapters on all eight summits.

The format for each chapter is the same - a general introduction to the mountain, its environment and its history, followed by two or more personal accounts of ascents (or just one account, in the case of Kosciuszko). All contributions are by people who have completed the Seven.

This format keeps the book interesting, and as mentioned above, the pictures are excellent. There is, though, a sad side in the number of climbers - writers, their partners or friends - who have lost their lives on these or other climbs. ART

Overall verdict: Great introduction to the seven (or eight).
Also see Adventure
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Morris' collection of travel essays have already entered the pantheon of travel writing classics. This one is perhaps misnamed, as it is more about cities than journeys, but the range of places certainly leaves the reader feeling like they have been on an immense journey.

These urban vignettes are ideal for Morris, long enough to get to the heart of a place, short enough to keep her concise. One or two make very interesting "hindsight" reading - her take on Houston for example takes on a whole new dimension post-Enron.

The breadth of cultures drawn into this book is impressive - from the very first page: a scene setting up daily life in Sydney, to the very last: out onto the China Sea, Morris circles the globe with touching commentaries and poignant descriptions. As ever, the people she meets are an important part of her writing, and also provide an insight into the day to day life of a travel writer - even if the Chinese find such a vocation hard to comprehend.

The contrasts she throws up implicitly from one chapter to the next are both poignant and entertaining - From brash Las Vegas to prim Wells - with their very different places of worship. And then moving on to one of my favourite chapters: India. Here Morris encounters the contradictions so inherent to Indian life from the cities with exploding populations, to the old hill stations with their genteel refinement. All are tackled with an understanding of humanity that remains sympathetic but is never condescending nor uncritical. JT

Overall verdict: One of travel writing's finest exponents in her element.
Also by Jan Morris: Hong Kong & Destinations
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