Cold Beer and a Hot Dart

by Brandon Wolfe

Before smartphones or international data plans, global adventure travel required extensive pre-trip research, solid street smarts, survival ingenuity, human interaction, guidebooks, paper maps, cross-cultural knowledge, and a shit ton of luck. This compelling memoir follows Brandon Wolfe and his international companions as they navigate that world of wanderology 12,000 km/7,450 miles by land and water throughout several countries within Southeast Africa.

Brandon and his comrades find themselves evading wild animals, braving disease, encountering natural wonders, meeting unforgettable locals, and even scrambling to overcome their own stupidity to take in every dose of pure adventure. This riveting expedition explores the openness in authentic friendships, revels in the uncertainties within technology-free travel, captures the wonder of human resilience, yet also gets candid on the victories and struggles that come along with an addiction to adventure.

Cold Beer and a Hot Dart is a rollicking, hedonistic coming of age story that blends excitement, heart, wit, and self-reflection into a captivating, old school backpacking journey.

*Product Review Disclaimer*- some reviews that have been posted are in reference to the first edition of Cold Beer and a Hot Dart, which was published in 2015 and since been discontinued.

Genres: Nonfiction

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 29, 2015

About the author

Brandon Wolfe is the author of the best-selling self-help adventure memoir "Cold Beer and a Hot Dart." In addition, his award-winning screenplay titled "Freedom's Basement" has garnered outstanding praise from prestigious screenwriting competitions worldwide. Brandon's writing is committed to thought-provoking content and sustainable self-help practices that will remain relevant to later generations. Aside from writing, Brandon is an avid culture-focused traveler, adventure enthusiast, and passionate entrepreneur.

Reviews

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy reading travel memoirs, but this one was just ok. Brandon, a 23 year old American, is a wanderer. He adventure travels with just a backpack through several countries, but the main focus of the book is Africa. He has his friend Brady with him most of the way while they party through the country. It had some ok stories, but all in all was just so-so. Having said that, I always enjoy reading about the “real” Africa, and the descriptions of the land and natives didn’t disappoint. 📚🐉

[Jack Magnus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Cold Beer and a Hot Dart is a non-fiction memoir written by Brandon Wolfe. Wolfe really had no set plans for after he finished high school. He hadn't applied to any colleges and didn't have any ideas for a career path. Instead, the home-schooled teen from Vancouver, Washington decided to go adventuring. He got that opportunity through hooking up with YWAM (Youth with a Mission) in Australia. Wolfe's family and friends were supportive of the plan, and he was off on his first big adventure. YWAM sends young people off to Third World areas for the purpose of being of service to the people they encounter. After touring Australia, Wolfe's group headed for Malaysia and the Solomon Islands, places where demonic possessions, witch doctors and cannibals were, if not commonplace, not unheard of. When he returned home after his six-month term, Wolfe felt adrift and unable to reconnect with the home he had missed while he was away, and so he signed up again for another season with YWAM, and his adventuring life continued.

Brandon Wolfe's non-fiction memoir, Cold Beer and a Hot Dart, reads like an adventure story, but the author is quick to assure his readers that everything they're about to read is, in fact, true. This author had experiences in his twenties that most people only dream about, and for some of the less adventurous those dreams would probably seem more like nightmares. Wolfe's adventures are not for the complacent soul who has no qualms about letting life slip by, but rather they are filled with the stuff that those readers who still thrill to the thought of Livingstone's travels through Africa and who dream of sailing uncharted seas will thrive on.

Wolfe is the perfect narrator for his story. He's brutally honest and more than willing to show the foolhardy side of himself as well as the more heroic adventuring persona. His writing style is companionable and easy, making it seem as though he's really sitting across the table from you, recounting his adventures with a beer in one hand and the ever present hot dart in the other. I had a marvelous time reading this memoir. I loved following Wolfe and his companions as they backpacked through wild places and shared the camaraderie of those adventurers they encountered. While Wolfe shares many of his personal views on religion and a creator, I did not find that it detracted from my enjoyment of his memoir. Cold Beer and a Hot Dart is most highly recommended.

[Ivory R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wolfe has a narrative style that is conversational, honest to a fault, humorous with some spiritual aspects. The spiritual aspects are neatly woven into the overall the story and are not preached at the reader. He starts his adventures with a youth missionary group and it is part of who the author is. If you have never been to a 3rd or 4th world country, you have no idea how many simple things are actually luxuries for example, the plane to Atoifi Malaita --had no pressure seal so it was cold and very loud. Wolfe has experienced a lifetime at a early age with the extensive travel he has done. It exposed him to so many different cultures and the flip side a very deadly disease.

With each travel destination, Wolfe shares his formula for happiness which has some valuable nuggets like selflessness, not envying and enjoying life. The concepts are simple and easy to apply to everyday life. I can agree that times that I felt the happiest have been when I gave to someone else with no expectations and changed their lives. The style of writing is what makes this book so different from any other self-help book I have ever read. I would recommend it to anyone who likes memoirs filled with adventures.

[Trishelle Lin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to give this book an extra star, I actually really liked it. It stirred the desire within me to adventure with my life and not to remain complacent with my story. I couldn't give it that extra star though, the author has some amazing stories to tell, and he knows it, but he also had a habit of pulling away from the stories to either discuss a point I feel he over explained and should have let the stories themselves bring home within the reader. He would also bring something up, only to inform the reader they would discuss it later, once again removing the reader from the action of what was currently happening. On the whole however, amazing stories!

[Tom Schulte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn to this travel adventure memoir because I like reading of free-spirits on risky, daring explorations. There is plenty of that here focusing on a trek across Africa with a focus on easy-going Malawi and (then) dangerous Mozambique. I enjoyed that a lot - this scene of bare, hostel-like accommodations and strangers becoming friends as they meet on the road: "It is amazing how quickly you can fall in love with people and nature and culture when you are free of televisions, smart phones, and computers.". Along the way, the author reveals multiple malaria infections which can be easily debilitating and even life-threatening. The author examines his attraction to what is really potentially suicidal behavior and ends up pharmaceutically controlling his serotonin levels leading to a new chapter of his life with greater stability and no regrets.

Reentry back home after extreme traveling really never gets easy, but rather reentry just becomes a different challenge every time. On top of navigating culture shock, the post-traumatic stress from the falciparum and vivax malaria was being ignored day after day. The months that would follow would be circular attempts to “settle down.” I would find that the desires of the heart rarely ever line up with the expectations of society, family, and even friends.

Literally using a "shrink" to break down a problematic narrative into smaller components to help him better understand and address the issues:

Many years later in my deconstruction therapy, my counselor would tell me that “everyone only thinks and acts according to the knowledge and awareness that they possess at that given time.”

He reflects back on his blog:

I would constantly say to my therapist, “but I used to be so _____ in my twenties”. That blank space would be: fearless, adventurous, spontaneous, worry free.

My therapist would respond along the line of-

Most live out their first period of life just like that, and there are aspects of our old self that we miss. And that’s natural. But when you look back on that period, you also acknowledge that you were insecure, avoided commitment, were unknowingly serotonin deficient, emotionally unbalanced, highly trauma reactive, and more…

This redirection and honest assessment helped me accept growth and appreciate that the first period was over and a different phase awaited. We can certainly pull strengths from our past period and incorporate them into our current period of action.

[Brandon Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Wolfe really has lived a life like no other. In a way, you could see this as a much healthier "Into The Wild." Wolfe's open-eyed earnestness is what makes this book so appealing. As self-help books are fairly common, it can be difficult to stand out. Wolfe's refreshing honesty and truly unique stories put this book above other books in the genre." - Self-Publishing Review, 4½ Stars

"Wolfe is the perfect narrator for his story. He's brutally honest and more than willing to show the foolhardy side of himself as well as the more heroic adventuring persona. His writing style is companionable and easy, making it seem as though he's really sitting across the table from you, recounting his adventures with a beer in one hand and the ever present hot dart in the other. Wolfe's adventures are not for the complacent soul who has no qualms about letting life slip by, but rather they are filled with the stuff that those readers who still thrill to the thought of Livingstone's travels through Africa and who dream of sailing uncharted seas will thrive on. I loved following Wolfe and his companions as they backpacked through wild places and shared the camaraderie of those adventurers they encountered. Cold Beer and a Hot Dart is most highly recommended". - Reader's Favorite review, 5 stars

[Brandon Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Henry Baum of Self-Publishing Review


Cold Beer and a Hot Dart is the inspirational memoir by Brandon Wolfe as he travels from his comfortable home in Washington to the wilds of Australia, Polynesia and beyond, battling disease, cannibals, prostitutes, drug use, and other nefarious problems, as well as having the time of his life. A restless soul at heart, Brandon Wolfe is also a spirited storyteller, making Cold Beer at once a page turner and a moving meditation on finding your place in life.

This isn’t just a book about adventuring, it’s a book about finding happiness among adversity. It works very well as a self-help book because Wolfe’s stories are so engaging, as well as being occasionally alarming. The last sentence in the description above is key: now in his thirties, he might literally only have 10 years to live, but that doesn’t affect his positive outlook. Wolfe really has lived a life like no other.

The book has the spirit of Into The Wild – without the tragic ending or ineffectual parents. In a way, you could see this as a much healthier Into The Wild. Wolfe is a true free spirit, taking off from the confines of his life – with the blessings of his family – and going on a series of adventures, some of which nearly kill him, but never do.

What makes Cold Beer particularly compelling is that it is as much an anthropological study as it is a self-help book – yet from his own unique perspective. As he makes clear in the introduction, he’s not a scientist, so he’s not going to unload a bunch of data points. Still, as someone who’s traveled the world, Wolfe has a lot of wisdom to impart about how happiness is achieved worldwide. His lessons are effective: you don’t necessarily need to travel the world to achieve his level of contentment. Indeed, the aim of this book is to help people who are sitting at home mired in worries that don’t amount to much in the grand scheme of things.

Too many self help books revert to vague cheerleading like “I did it and you can too!” Wolfe doesn’t shy away from describing the pitfalls of having this open attitude as well. The more open you are, the more bad things can come in, but the trip is worth it. Wolfe’s open-eyed earnestness is what makes this book so appealing. If there’s a weakness, Wolfe’s take on his life can be a bit too proud about all he’s been through, but he’s earned some of that self-assessment. It should also be mentioned that there is a distinctly spiritual component to his theory of happiness, but he doesn’t proselytize, so the book could very well be enjoyed and understood by the non-religious.

As self-help books are fairly common, it can be difficult to stand out. Wolfe’s refreshing honesty and truly unique stories put this book above other books in the genre.- Self Publishing Review, 4.5 stars














Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Cold Beer and a Hot Dart is a non-fiction memoir written by Brandon Wolfe. Wolfe really had no set plans for after he finished high school. He hadn't applied to any colleges and didn't have any ideas for a career path. Instead, the home-schooled teen from Vancouver, Washington decided to go adventuring. He got that opportunity through hooking up with YWAM (Youth with a Mission) in Australia. Wolfe's family and friends were supportive of the plan, and he was off on his first big adventure. YWAM sends young people off to Third World areas for the purpose of being of service to the people they encounter. After touring Australia, Wolfe's group headed for Malaysia and the Solomon Islands, places where demonic possessions, witch doctors and cannibals were, if not commonplace, not unheard of. When he returned home after his six-month term, Wolfe felt adrift and unable to reconnect with the home he had missed while he was away, and so he signed up again for another season with YWAM, and his adventuring life continued.

Brandon Wolfe's non-fiction memoir, Cold Beer and a Hot Dart, reads like an adventure story, but the author is quick to assure his readers that everything they're about to read is, in fact, true. This author had experiences in his twenties that most people only dream about, and for some of the less adventurous those dreams would probably seem more like nightmares. Wolfe's adventures are not for the complacent soul who has no qualms about letting life slip by, but rather they are filled with the stuff that those readers who still thrill to the thought of Livingstone's travels through Africa and who dream of sailing uncharted seas will thrive on.

Wolfe is the perfect narrator for his story. He's brutally honest and more than willing to show the foolhardy side of himself as well as the more heroic adventuring persona. His writing style is companionable and easy, making it seem as though he's really sitting across the table from you, recounting his adventures with a beer in one hand and the ever present hot dart in the other. I had a marvelous time reading this memoir. I loved following Wolfe and his companions as they backpacked through wild places and shared the camaraderie of those adventurers they encountered. While Wolfe shares many of his personal views on religion and a creator, I did not find that it detracted from my enjoyment of his memoir. Cold Beer and a Hot Dart is most highly recommended.

[Joshua Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed the stories and adventures. I find for myself there are many days I just run through the routine and don't stop and think about things essential to life that I overlook. I like this book, one thing it allowed me to do was connect and reminisce. I went back through my own memories and some of his findings I realized to be similar to my own. I just had not delved deep into them. Fun and honest stories that help you remember the good ol' times of your own life. I like the authors writing style simple and I feel like it's more conversational and easier to relate to.

[Björn Seidel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up for almost nothing. It's a great non-fiction travel story. The writing isn't complex nor particularly deep but it suits this book perfectly. I like Brandon and I feel like I have got to know him quite well throughout the book. I have problems with Christians going on missions and "converting" people untouched by religion, but this book and the author managed to make me see beautiful and fascinating humans and interesting stories spanning the globe. Can totally recommend this book!