The Royal Road to Romance

Growing up in the 70s with the war and demonstrations and Watergate, I think I felt jaded about the world from an early age. The world seemed kind of a seedy, drab and dingey place to me at the time. Every great accomplishment had already been done and every once-wonderous place on the planet had long ago been explored, commercialized...used up. Royal Road to Romance changed my world view and made me really hunger to see the wonderous, beautiful places Halliburton describes. I think there are probably many kids in this generation with similar feelings who might really benefit from this book.

Most of Halliburton's stories are happy-go-lucky tales about traveling with friends, meeting interesting and charming people, and generally making life into an adventure. They make you wish you could have been there with him. Or at least follow in his footsteps.

At the beginning of the book, Halliburton talks very eloquently about the choice he made to travel and see the wonders of the world instead of pursuing a traditional career after college. How he rebelled against what was expected of him and decided to Live and Enjoy Life while he was young. I think most people have felt the desire to run off at some point in their life -- to abandon the mundane life they are expected to lead and go where the wind leads. I know that I have felt that often, and many times, I have thought of Richard Halliburton and his thoughts and life. Although, yes, the book is dated in attitudes and much has changed in the world, I believe that people who read it can find a sense of fun and wonder they never knew they were missing.


change my life's course   June 16, 2003
Jonathan Thal (Ramat-David (zip code 30093) Israel)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

As israeli the book The royal road to romance, was the first english written book I ever read compleetly. Once I captured the essence of its spirit I never left it again. It set the general course of my life, proving the theory that first book a child reads will have tremendous effect on his lifes future. The simple truth of this book so shaked me that I became restless eversince. In order to release myself from its magic spell, exploded from ambitions I set myself,on 1974, on a personal Around the world trip which latter entered the Guinness book of world records (Hebrew edition) as the longest (253,934 km) around the world trip. I did it mostly by hitchiking with help of 1529 different vhicles. I did it that way in order to be, like Richard, always close to new friends and cultures. As Halliburton I spent night on top of Cheops pyramide, the Devils island and far more srange outposts than him. after climbing Mt. Fuji I felt I will never attempt such altitude again. But even than I knew his sometimes weird achivements will ever overshadow mine. Constant drive to chalange his bodis limits always frightened me. Whenever I come to an exotic place I asked myself what Richard would plot in such place? He prooved what young man can reach the seventh heaven if he funnel his sex energies to more constructive way. Especially in times when boundries was more virtual than real, and suspicion among fellow beings came always after givving help and use of humor, not before. Along my way I met other guy (one from Memphis) who traveled with Halliburtons myth as compas. We share togather ideas that the impression of that book will make it easily the Bible of our life. Today as a modern Wandering Jew with only one passport that so many contries like to refuse entry I tried to establish myself and forget traveling, but I feel that the battle is lost because in the other hand I keep folowing the conclusions of this memorable book which always lie near my bed. Whatever happened I jealouse Halliburton that unlike my bad luck he found happy publishers to have his talles get printed


true adventure   January 4, 2002
Matt Bier (CA USA)
I have collected books from the early 1900's and late 1800's, not for money or collecting books for future gains, I truly enjoy a good tale. and If you can read any book read a book by Haliburton, he was truly a great adventurer. Sorry I am drunk off Sake, but this book is a true book of early adventre that rings out, ADVENUTRE!!@!!!!!
When I die I want this book to fuel the fire that burns my body becase it is a beautiful book. Read it and enjoy the zadventure of a man that is full of romance that has been lost to the 21st centry.


Remember your youth while you have it   October 10, 2001
As a five year expatriate who's home will always be Memphis, I felt like I was reading the words of a long lost little brother from a prior existance. I read this book a year ago while briefly home in northwest Mississippi, as a friend of my fathers suggested it. Sure, the way he treats some of the locals make me want to pull his hair or tell him to go sit in the corner, but the "big picture" is simply that of a naive 22 year old whose eyes are in awe of the possibilities offered him and the romantic beauty of the road. Halliburton chooses instead of a deluxe trip through Europe paid for by his parents, to instead
"starve and try to carve a future of his own" (Kristofferson) and, for such, my hat is off to the kid. So many people hit the road to "say they've done it", and certainly not all but many become cynical and judgemental and when I meet these
"intellectuals" i just want to tell them to go home and leave the road for the optimists like Richard Halliburton.
A prior-poster has somewhat critisized Halliburton for returning home with the same grab-life-by-the-balls attitude that he left with. However, I feel that is the highest praise and is a hell of a lot better than returning home to share one's cynical wisdom with whoever is bored enough to sit there and nod. The road did not make Halliburton wise and old before his time but, rather, kept him naive and young after his time.
*** Incidentally, I found myself roaming the Ruins of Ankhor in Cambodia a couple months ago, and this place has Halliburton all over it. At the time I was there, I could not recall whether he had gone but, in reading some reviews, I now know why I kept thinking to myself as I climbed about the ruins "I'm sure Richard Halliburton came here! I can almost feel his presence..." I suggest this book to anyone who loves independent travel and youthful observation, but I discourage it to anyone who feels they've "seen it all"...