Around the World in 80 Trades

by Conor Woodman

This title is to tie in with a major new Channel 4 a brilliant mixture of travel, cultural exchange and fair trade.Economist Conor Woodman has decided to test his negotiating skills, charm and eye for a bargain against some of the world's oldest trading cultures. He's sold his house to finance the trip, but if his hunches are right - trading Sudanese camels for Kenyan coffee, coffee for South African red wine and then off to China to buy porcelain with the proceeds - he'll return six months later with a lot of money, some new friends and a whole raft of brilliant tall tales.Conor believes that the principles of profit are universal wherever you go, whatever language you speak. Whether trading teak or bath taps, light bulbs or seafood he'll work out how to make money in every market he encounters along his route. He'll trade on his wits and instincts, going head to head with the best operators in the world's most hotly-contested markets. But will years of experience in corporate

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, History

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Conor has been a producer/reporter/presenter in factual television for many years (Scam City, Around the World in 80 Trades, Watchdog) and has written several books.

His latest book CALL TO KILL is his first novel, written with co-author Billy Billingham, star of C4's SAS : Who Dares Wins.

Prior to Call to Kill, Conor wrote The Adventure Capitalist (Pan Macmillan), which tells the story of how he left his job in the City, sold his London flat and embarked on a round-the-world trading adventure. Travelling through four continents over five months, he turned his hand to making a profit out of everything from camels in Sudan to inflatable surfboards in Mexico, to discover how real people make real money in real markets.

Conor's second book Unfair Trade deals with how ordinary people around the world survive at the bottom of the supply chain. By living alongside miners, farmers, factory workers and fishermen from Africa to Asia to Central America, Conor tells the stories of the real people on whom the global economy depends. Unfair Trade was long listed for the Orwell Prize.

His third book, The Scam Hunter takes us on a journey through the lawless backstreets of cities such as Mumbai, Bogota, New Orleans, Mexico City and Jerusalem as he uncovers the people and the crimes that keep the global black economy moving.

When not writing, Conor continues to make films and TV. True Appaloosa, his first feature length documentary film, premiered at the Sun Valley Film Festival in 2015 and aired on BBC4 as 'The Secret Horse’ to wide critical acclaim.

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting to read how a westerner survives using traditional trading methods and market places.

[Bettie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bettie's Books

[Erwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have been a lot better if it wasn't tied to a TV program... Not bad, but it's an excellent idea for a book and it could have been so much better if it didn't feel so much like reality television turned into a book...

[theodore lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book, this is what everyone wants to do when they’re a kid and here is a guy who actually does it. He doesn’t humble brag or make things sound easier than they were. Quite entertaining and a pretty quick read

[Vari Lemur · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather eccentric trip around the world. Okay reading, but nothing too deep.

[Shruts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am in relatively new to internationals sales. It drives me buggy when in an overseas deal, particularly in Asia, negotiations can drag on for MONTHS over minute details. I know it is mere posturing for leverage, but I'm used to Wham-Bam USA transactiions: if it takes more than one phone call or an e-mail exchange, something's seriously wrong.

Woodman assimilates the culture of haggling in this global investigation of ancient business practices. His adventures and misadeventures are quite entertaining, if not occasionally hilarious. I appreciate his wry wit even when he is getting taken to the cleaners.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well the misleading title does not help this book, nothing like 80 trades maybe 10. I think the biggest problem I had with this book though was that as it's a book of a TV series. I think most of the details maybe ended up on the show. I wonder what this book have been like if written by a master like Michael Lewis of Liars Poker fame. It just seems short on detail, maybe some people would have been bored by the struggles to find buyers but surely that was what this whole book was about and the whole thing lacks depth and detail.

[Tim Corke · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most enjoyable and original travel adventure books I've read in a long time. Not only packed with evocative stories from around the world, Maynard has managed to make economics and world trade an inspiring and educational subject.

Around The World In 80 Trades is a delight to read and would recommend to others. Travel & adventures first, economics lesson second.

[Khadija]

Un tres bon livre sur le commerce. L'auteur nous prouve que faire du commerce dans des pays inconnus est possible( mais en étant bien renseigné avant !)
Une lecture interressante mais une fin un peu brutale tout de meme...
Un espece de "J'irais dormir chez vous" du commerce.

[Martin Moleski · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw two or three of the shows on TV. Very enjoyable. Bought the book used for $5 (including shipping). Quick read. Very faithful to the material shown on TV; not informative about how the TV show was negotiated, filmed, edited, and produced.

[Yong-Gu Bae · Rating 4 out of 5]

To tell you the truth, I was quite amazed at how easy the trade sounded like in this book since I know it isn't easy. Of course, he told his share of failures, but I would like to learn more about his resourcefulness.

[excalibur1974 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book a little boring. I thought it would give me some sort of insight into international trade, but I didn't really learn anything new and found the stories very simplistic and repetitive- though I guess that's the point; it is simple. As a travel book, I've read better.

[Cleopatra Camacho · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this book so much, it was like I was travelling with him. I think if you want to learn in details about trading, it won't help. But you will learn a simplistic way of the international trading and also enjoy the journey at the same time.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good thing to read while haggling with people trying to rip you off in Zanzibar.

[Doria · Rating 5 out of 5]

J'ai juste voyagé aux cotés du personnage principal et j'ai adoré ça :D

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good read and an inspiring story. Makes u want to go out and do more with ur life.

[Mohammed Bahari · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the good books I read ! My favourite part was when his Sudanese translator told him "Dude! No believe you are here for camels ? "

[Youngju · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating topic.