How to Walk a Puma: And Other Things I Learned While Stumbling Through South America in Around the World in 80 Books

Sep 12, 2011 Kimberly rated it it was amazing

Shelves: bios-memoirs-autobiographies, to-buy, 2012-bookshelf, to-re-read, south-america, travel

Ever since I read my first Peter Allison book in April of last year I've been waiting eagerly to read his newest book of adventures! Unfortunately I was on the waiting list for the library since the book's release date but at least I was the first one to read the copy I got last week (Which I finished in a few hours mind you).

This one was just as funny and entertaining as I had hoped it would be though you can tell that Peter went at his journey across South America a little older and a little Ever since I read my first Peter Allison book in April of last year I've been waiting eagerly to read his newest book of adventures! Unfortunately I was on the waiting list for the library since the book's release date but at least I was the first one to read the copy I got last week (Which I finished in a few hours mind you).

This one was just as funny and entertaining as I had hoped it would be though you can tell that Peter went at his journey across South America a little older and a little wiser. I say older because he frequently refers to himself as that. But despite being a little older he held up a lot better than I would have if I had been the one traveling so much.

Of course, for me the best part of the book was that he still managed to get himself into loads of hilarious and dangerous positions. My favourite part of the book is when he talks about meeting Roy, a puma that he was to "walk" every day for about a month. Now while these large cats are considerably smaller than the lions in Africa they're still stronger than any man. They're bodies are all muscle despite their delecate appearence and Peter sure got to experiance the power that Roy had first hand as he was often the one that was getting bitten by, jumped on and dragged along through the rainforest by Roy.

Peter Allison's tales in this book are sure to delight any fan of his works, he's snarky and hilarious in a way that only he could be. His experiences are wonderful to read about and I'm glad he decided to write a third book based on his adventures in South America, the country that lost the coin toss when he was 19 years old and wanting to take a year off. Instead he went to Africa and became a safari guide, later he returned to Australia and finally he was able to see what life could have been like had the coin fallen on the opposite side all those years ago. If you enjoy travel memoirs and that will have you laughing out loud at the author's antics this is the book for you. I highly recommend it! I can't wait to see what he writes next! ...more

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Feb 20, 2017 Jana rated it really liked it

Shelves: x2017-reading-challenge

I had previously read one of Peter Allison's books set in Africa as we are anticipating a trip to Africa. I really liked his writing style, so I requested this book from the library. I also liked this book. I have been to parts of South America, so it was nice comparing his experiences, and comparing the locations he chose to spend to the places we spent time. ...more

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May 22, 2012 Nancy H rated it liked it

I thought this was a good travel-journal book, although there were a few places that I wanted more details. It was entertaining and enlightening, especially the part about walking/running with the puma. I found myself asking why anyone would put themselves through that, but this author certainly had the answer to that with his very willing attitude.

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