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The Last Overland: Singapore to London: The Return Journey of the Iconic Land Rover Expedition
The Last Overland is the story behind the four-part documentary series on All 4 - the extraordinary journey of filmmaker Alex Bescoby and his team across 13,000 miles to recreate the legendary overlanding expedition of 1956.
In 1955, a young TV producer named David Attenborough was approached by six recent graduates from Oxford and Cambridge universities determined to drive the entire length of Eurasia, as it was then known, from London to Singapore. It was the ‘unclimbed Everest of motoring’ – many had tried, none had succeeded. Sensing this time might be different, Attenborough gave The Oxford and Cambridge Far Eastern Expedition enough film reel to cover their attempt. The 19,000-mile journey completed by Tim Slessor and the team was told in Attenborough’s Travellers’ Tales, and captivated a nation emerging from postwar austerity. Tim’s book, The First Overland , was published shortly after and soon became the Bible of the overlanding religion.
Inspired by Attenborough’s comment fifty years on that it was a journey ‘that I don’t think could be made again today’, Alex made contact with now eighty-six-year-old Tim and together they planned an epic recreation of the original trip, this time from Singapore to London. With their improbable team and the prospect of getting the original ‘Oxford’ – arguably the world’s most famous Land Rover – home to London, their goal was to complete the heroic journey started more than sixty years earlier.
In awe of the unstoppable Tim, and haunted by his own grandfather’s deterioration due to tragedy and then dementia, Alex soon finds himself on the defining trip of his lifetime and discovers how the world has changed for better, and for worse, since the First Overland.
In 1955, a young TV producer named David Attenborough was approached by six recent graduates from Oxford and Cambridge universities determined to drive the entire length of Eurasia, as it was then known, from London to Singapore. It was the ‘unclimbed Everest of motoring’ – many had tried, none had succeeded. Sensing this time might be different, Attenborough gave The Oxford and Cambridge Far Eastern Expedition enough film reel to cover their attempt. The 19,000-mile journey completed by Tim Slessor and the team was told in Attenborough’s Travellers’ Tales, and captivated a nation emerging from postwar austerity. Tim’s book, The First Overland , was published shortly after and soon became the Bible of the overlanding religion.
Inspired by Attenborough’s comment fifty years on that it was a journey ‘that I don’t think could be made again today’, Alex made contact with now eighty-six-year-old Tim and together they planned an epic recreation of the original trip, this time from Singapore to London. With their improbable team and the prospect of getting the original ‘Oxford’ – arguably the world’s most famous Land Rover – home to London, their goal was to complete the heroic journey started more than sixty years earlier.
In awe of the unstoppable Tim, and haunted by his own grandfather’s deterioration due to tragedy and then dementia, Alex soon finds himself on the defining trip of his lifetime and discovers how the world has changed for better, and for worse, since the First Overland.
- GenresNonfictionTravel
304 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2023
60 people are currently reading
315 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 26, 2023
The first Overland London to Singapore was in the early 1950s. David Attenborough filmed the adventure for BBC. In this book, Alex Bescoby writes about a repeat of the Land Rover expedition from Singapore to London. One of the Land Rover vehicles was the original Oxford Land Rover. There were some differences mainly because of political changes since the first expedition.
The book was well written and documented. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It has been a long time since I have read a travel documentary. I was interested in the changes of various countries since the first trip.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book was ten hours and twenty-one minutes. Alex Bescoby narrated his own book.
The book was well written and documented. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It has been a long time since I have read a travel documentary. I was interested in the changes of various countries since the first trip.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book was ten hours and twenty-one minutes. Alex Bescoby narrated his own book.
April 8, 2025
Surprisingly emotional at the end. Awesome read, what a great mix of adventure, travel, history, cars and friendship.
April 23, 2024
I'm very torn on this. Bescoby is a charming narrator with genuine warmth and heart, the journey is an incredible achievement which made a lot of people very happy and proud, and it's a great manifesto for the spirit of pure adventure. It feels mean-spirited not to respond to all of that with joy. But I just can't shake the niggles about the whole concept, about the old-fashioned colonial boy's-own-adventure feel of the journey. Bescoby is clearly aware of this, and obviously thoughtful about the countries he travels through, but that almost makes the niggles worse, because he switches so often between 'I surveyed the glories of the place' and 'then I thought about sad history and passport privilege'. It's just a bit too shallow.
I think ultimately that if you like the sound of this book, you will probably love it because it's a great example of its type, and you shouldn't let my mean-spiritedness affect whether you read it or not.
Also I'm probably just jealous.
I think ultimately that if you like the sound of this book, you will probably love it because it's a great example of its type, and you shouldn't let my mean-spiritedness affect whether you read it or not.
Also I'm probably just jealous.
May 9, 2025
How many cars could handle multiple journeys between London and Singapore? Most, but very few could do it with 65 years between the journeys. The Last Overland follows a team of adventure seekers (and one reluctant grandson) on a trek that follows as closely as possible the path driven by the "First Overlanders" in a world very much changed, in a car very much not.
The author is an excellent narrator for the audiobook, but the content itself leaned towards the sentimental in place of genuinely unique travel experiences, most of which came about from people never seeing such an old Land Rover before. Considering their 4 months on the road, details are sparse in the facets of the journey that would have most interested me.
The author is an excellent narrator for the audiobook, but the content itself leaned towards the sentimental in place of genuinely unique travel experiences, most of which came about from people never seeing such an old Land Rover before. Considering their 4 months on the road, details are sparse in the facets of the journey that would have most interested me.
February 16, 2024
3.5 stars. I really enjoyed the story, but I am just not that much of a non fiction guy. I really liked Alex’s voice in the story and the journey in general was incredible. The only thing I wanted more of in the story was a bit more information about his other companions during the overland. Alex and Nat were obvious focal points but I felt like the other people on the journey were sort of left behind. Good story overall, I am glad I read it.
June 21, 2024
4,5 stars
The Last Overland stands out as a adventure/travel-book by being able to compare past advetures with current and being written by someone with good writing-know-how.
Other travel-books have been poorly written, often by emotionally staunted/distracted/unavailable people, who used their travels as escapism(with not everyone of these being aware that they are using their adventure for escapism). The Last Overland does not feel anything like this, and I much appreciated that. Alex Bescoby seems in touch with himself and his emotions all throughout, which makes me respect him all the more as an author and adventurer.
However, some of his observations about life, culture and colonialism do seem shallow, as other reviews have pointed out.
The Last Overland is greatly improved by including the perspective of "The First Overland" and one of the 1956's expedition members, Tim Slessor. Taking his writing and experience into account when going about the 2019-journy gives "The Last Overland" a unique twist and charm.
Overall, I very much like "The Last Overland", and I much look forward to reading "The First Overland"(how disgraceful to mix up the order of these two books, I know, but I didn't know when I randomly picked up "The Last Overland" during a visit to Amsterdam).
It does not beat out "Jupiters Travels", but it is problably just me who have an irrational love for the old 1973 motorcycle adventure tale.
The Last Overland stands out as a adventure/travel-book by being able to compare past advetures with current and being written by someone with good writing-know-how.
Other travel-books have been poorly written, often by emotionally staunted/distracted/unavailable people, who used their travels as escapism(with not everyone of these being aware that they are using their adventure for escapism). The Last Overland does not feel anything like this, and I much appreciated that. Alex Bescoby seems in touch with himself and his emotions all throughout, which makes me respect him all the more as an author and adventurer.
However, some of his observations about life, culture and colonialism do seem shallow, as other reviews have pointed out.
The Last Overland is greatly improved by including the perspective of "The First Overland" and one of the 1956's expedition members, Tim Slessor. Taking his writing and experience into account when going about the 2019-journy gives "The Last Overland" a unique twist and charm.
Overall, I very much like "The Last Overland", and I much look forward to reading "The First Overland"(how disgraceful to mix up the order of these two books, I know, but I didn't know when I randomly picked up "The Last Overland" during a visit to Amsterdam).
It does not beat out "Jupiters Travels", but it is problably just me who have an irrational love for the old 1973 motorcycle adventure tale.
September 1, 2024
This book really captured my imagination in the way that stories of great expeditions have always captured my imagination. A group of people set their sights on doing something great, and not necessarily for a purpose to further humanity, but rather because they could and the opportunity was there and they made it happen, because who knows when such a journey would come across them again. In this book, the author and fellow travellers drive from Singapore to London, traveling through mountains and cold to humid tropics. They encounter lovely guides and local people along the way but also have to navigate some dicey situations. One of the themes of the book was the balance of society being free versus being safe, which was very interesting. Altogether I highly rate this book. You get to follow an expedition, learn about new places on the map, and that adventurous light inside is lit flame while reading chapter after chapter.
December 29, 2022
The First Overland is one of the first books I fell in love with. A Land Rover nut, and a teenage one at that, the story of some happy, carefree twenty-somethings was the most wonderful of ideas.
The Last Overland gives a great sense of that feeling too. There is a beautiful parity between the First, and the Last Overland that is so often iterated throughout. It is not just a regurgitation of an old story; it is a new trip, with new people, and it harks back to the last original trip over fifty years ago.
Again, as a Land Rover nut, I personally would have cared for more detail pertaining the cars, the routes they took. But this really is sifting for a complaint. You really feel to join the team on their adventure, the places they go, and their personal struggles. It is a book well worth a read!
The Last Overland gives a great sense of that feeling too. There is a beautiful parity between the First, and the Last Overland that is so often iterated throughout. It is not just a regurgitation of an old story; it is a new trip, with new people, and it harks back to the last original trip over fifty years ago.
Again, as a Land Rover nut, I personally would have cared for more detail pertaining the cars, the routes they took. But this really is sifting for a complaint. You really feel to join the team on their adventure, the places they go, and their personal struggles. It is a book well worth a read!
September 6, 2025
Ok… so you may need to be a Landy fan to really approve of this book, and it does help if you’ve read the ‘original’ and know the background to the epic and historic 1955 First Overland. I tick those boxes, so my review is inevitably tainted by that! It’s a good read and a great story. Well written by Alex B, it covers the geographical and personal side of the journey with (IMHO) the right amount of background detail and reference back to the First trip. I’ve recently watched the TV documentary and found that, in comparison, a bit rushed and compacted. The book also nicely captures and communicates the majesty and mystery of Land Rover ‘fandom’ and the effect and impact that these vehicles have on some people. Not sure there is another marque that does that.
March 26, 2024
Greatly admire the achievements by those guys, to drive all the way from Singapore to London, let alone driving with an 60+ year old Land Rover, think about the experiences and friendship, the people they met, the road and landscape they’ve been, the scenery along the way, the stories and memories that’s gonna be with them all their life!
Not to mention those who had done this in 1955! It’s even a greater achievement in life!
Not to mention those who had done this in 1955! It’s even a greater achievement in life!
April 22, 2023
It's one of those books u don't ever want it to end! But as Tim puts it.. it ends...as all good roads end. Alex's writing is raw and vulnerable .. it had me feeling every part of the journey. I love it!
May 1, 2023
Fantastic book. Went to see Alex present this journey, he is exactly how I imagined him - he puts himself into this book and doesn't hold back either. Well written and a very inspirational trip carried out by a very humble team of people. Looking forward to Alex's next expedition!
August 10, 2023
A really incredible adventure described with interspersed history and reflections on the purpose of life. My only criticism is I found certain themes a bit repetitive.
March 17, 2025
Exciting, charming and sprinkled with wry humour, this well-written book charts the return journey of an elderly Landrover from Singapore to London.
May 3, 2025
I listened to this audiobook read by the author
It was a very engaging book of their journey
Lovely travel book and intesting details by wonderful characters and especially the Landrover!
It was a very engaging book of their journey
Lovely travel book and intesting details by wonderful characters and especially the Landrover!
June 23, 2025
Obviously I must now buy a land rover to make the journey! loved the book and will read it again. A absolute reminder of early days overland travel.Any Land rover enthusiast will love this.
July 21, 2025
Good book but was hoping for more detail on the adventure
August 2, 2025
Took a while to get into and lost me at some points but overall a really good and gripping read in parts. Would recommend for anyone that likes adventure
August 11, 2025
Humans, travel and land rovers !
Loved every word.
Loved every word.
June 2, 2025
A great multi-layered story combining the challenge of this modern expedition with experiences of the first overland trip (carried out in 1955). Plenty of romanticism about the original S1 Land Rover. It is well written, and nicely paced, with the right amount of detail to keep you on board. The author makes the story not about himself, but focusses very much on the Land Rover and his fellow adventurers, both past and present, and has good commentary about the countries they are going through.
February 5, 2025
an amazing story about the famous series 1 landrover on its return journey from singapore to london, 64 years after it did the outward bound journey through a very much different landscape, mostly political!
not only is it a diary but also a history lesson.
definitely worth a read if youre into travelling, nostalgia and culture!
not only is it a diary but also a history lesson.
definitely worth a read if youre into travelling, nostalgia and culture!
July 29, 2025
Great adventure. Great read. 4/5
A superb multi-layered story combining the tales and challenges of this modern day expedition with reminiscences of the first overland trip carried out in 1955. Additionally it's peppered with the romanticism that many people have for the original land rover.
A well written, easy read and it is paced nicely, with just the right amount of detail to keep things interesting. The author comes across as humble and ensures the story not about himself. Rather it's focussed very much on the land rover and his fellow adventurers, both past and present, and has snippets of commentary about the countries they are navigating through.
We live in a different world today compared to 1955 and nothing stands still, especially geopolitics, as this trip highlights with it's alternative route though Tibet rather than Afghanistan. But adventuring for adventuring's sake is still a very human endeavour and as the original overlanders says, adventure doesn't need to be justified, it's simply the essence of life.
Overall an enjoyable read and very inspiring - makes you want to pack your bags and jump in the car for your own mini road trip.
A superb multi-layered story combining the tales and challenges of this modern day expedition with reminiscences of the first overland trip carried out in 1955. Additionally it's peppered with the romanticism that many people have for the original land rover.
A well written, easy read and it is paced nicely, with just the right amount of detail to keep things interesting. The author comes across as humble and ensures the story not about himself. Rather it's focussed very much on the land rover and his fellow adventurers, both past and present, and has snippets of commentary about the countries they are navigating through.
We live in a different world today compared to 1955 and nothing stands still, especially geopolitics, as this trip highlights with it's alternative route though Tibet rather than Afghanistan. But adventuring for adventuring's sake is still a very human endeavour and as the original overlanders says, adventure doesn't need to be justified, it's simply the essence of life.
Overall an enjoyable read and very inspiring - makes you want to pack your bags and jump in the car for your own mini road trip.
January 1, 2023
Inspiring from the first page to the last - Alex Bescoby does a great job of weaving his own story with Tim’s from 64 years earlier.
I wish there had been more photos of the adventure, but I guess it gives me a reason to visit those places myself in the future.
I wish there had been more photos of the adventure, but I guess it gives me a reason to visit those places myself in the future.
July 23, 2023
A thoroughly enjoyable travel story centered on a famous old Land Rover, but also touching upon human nature, aging, and the countries of Asia.
December 28, 2024
Obviously now I must buy a landrover to make this same journey! Loved the book then watched the documentary
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews