How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization
Author: Franklin Foer
Who knew you could learn so much about globalization, economics and politics from soccer? Great read.
Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity
Author: Julia Cameron
One possible path to re-discovering the creativity you never knew you had.
Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies, New Edition
Author: Jared Diamond
An admirable crack at explaining why the world is the way it is by way of an anthropological macro-history. This book probably comes up the most in conversation as we travel.
The Cathedral Within: Transforming Your Life by Giving Something Back
Author: Bill Shore
Inspiring profiles of social entrepreneurs and projects we all can learn from and hopefully replicate to give back to community.
Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation
Author: John Carlin
Although the storyline is built around the South African rugby team and the 1995 World Cup, this book is more about Nelson Mandela and how he was able to unite a divided country. Inspiring.
Dark Star Safari: Overland from Cairo to Capetown
Author: Paul Theroux
The author re-visits Africa and re-assesses the place he once knew... and judges it once and for all. Well written, poignant observations of the thumbprints left by career politicians, aid workers, and everyday people.
Outliers: The Story of Success
Author: Malcolm Gladwell
A look at the internal and external factors of how extraordinary people got to be, well, extraordinary. One of those books that challenges assumptions and makes you think differently.
Shantaram: A Novel
Author: Gregory David Roberts
Administering first aid in a Bombay slum, selling fake passports and running guns to the Mujahideen in Afghanistan. Technically a novel, but closely linked to the Author's own experiences. Fantastic read.
It’s a long road home.
Over the course of five days last weekend, we made our way from Iran to Turkey to Germany to the United States by two trains, a boat, two planes and a car — arriving home in time to spend Thanksgiving with family.
And for this, we are thankful. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Panorama, United States by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
11 Comments | 24 November 2011
Only two days ago, we were learning about biodynamic Chilean wines and ziplining through vineyards in the hills outside Santiago, Chile.
Just yesterday, en route from Santiago to New York City, we took advantage of a long layover to peek into and poke around the colonial streets of Bogota, Columbia.
Today we arrived in New York. (We are writing this on a bus from New York City to Washington, DC.)
As we catch our collective breath from a rapid change in context (it took almost 15 months to go the opposite direction), we thought it might make sense to bring you up to speed as to what’s going on. After all, some of you might be wondering: “Is this the end?” Continue Reading »
Filed Under: United States by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
26 Comments | 14 May 2010
In our previous piece, we shared – hopefully with a bit of levity – a few features of life in America that we’ll miss.
Now comes the part where we offer some critical observations from our recent visit home, the longest in seven years. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Perspectives, United States by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
22 Comments | 16 March 2009
Our recent visit to the U.S. was our longest in over seven years. Becoming reacquainted with our home country was in its own right a learning experience. Having just departed a few days ago for the Latin America leg of our journey, we take inventory of a few things that we’ll miss – and a few that we won’t.
Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Perspectives, United States by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
15 Comments | 13 March 2009
Can somebody please come up with a better name for the ongoing financial crisis? Vote in the poll below with your choice.
Filed Under: Polls, United States by: Daniel Noll
6 Comments | 13 February 2009
I come from Scranton, Pennsylvania and that’s as hardscrabble a place as you’re gonna find.
- An actor playing Joe Biden on Saturday Night Live
Ah, Scranton, Pennsylvania. My hometown.
I told a friend the other day that we were in Scranton and he responded, “Are you from there? How did it feel to be in America’s most famous political city?” Continue Reading »
Filed Under: United States by: Daniel Noll
15 Comments | 15 December 2008
Ever wish those gadgets in Star Trek were real? As the U.S. Presidential election results streamed in on Tuesday night, we sure did. We were desperate for a transporter to beam us across Europe and the Atlantic Ocean to the United States.
We didn’t go to sleep here in Budapest, Hungary until 7 AM on Wednesday morning, after the election results were in and the concession and victory speeches were delivered. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Europe, Hungary, Perspectives, United States by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
3 Comments | 6 November 2008
