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Niall Doherty
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The Cargo Ship Diaries: 44 months, 37 countries, 0 flights Kindle Edition

by Niall Doherty (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 out of 5 stars 247
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Ever wonder what it would be like to spend a month at sea? To travel the world without flying? To have your life threatened in Nepal? To run out of money in the Middle East? To flirt with one hundred women in the Netherlands?

Written primarily aboard a freighter while crossing the Pacific Ocean, The Cargo Ship Diaries is something of a memoir of Niall Doherty’s 44 months traveling around the world without flying, the highs and the lows and the lessons learned. We start off in Japan as he’s about to board the cargo ship, and throughout the book flash back to times spent in Amsterdam, Bucharest, Kathmandu, Bangkok and the likes.

“I wish I could have written a book this awesome.” – Jack Kerouac

Expect plenty of taboo topics, tales of dating misadventures, and honest takes on places like India and Iran. If you like the Momentos series on Niall’s blog, you’ll absolutely love this book.

FAQ’s

Q. How long is the book?
A. 47,211 words on 172 pages. You can read through the whole thing in about four hours.

Q. What route did you take around the world?
A. Ireland > England > Netherlands > Germany > Switzerland > Austria > Hungary > Romania > Turkey > Iran > UAE > India > Nepal > India > Thailand > Cambodia > Laos > Vietnam > China > Hong Kong > China > Vietnam > Laos > Thailand > Laos > China > South Korea > Japan > Peru > Bolivia > Brazil > Venezuela > Colombia > Panama > Nicaragua > Honduras > El Salvador > Guatemala > Mexico > USA > Portugal > Spain > France > Ireland

Q. Is there a surprise ending?
A. Yes, but I’m going to ruin it for you right now: In the last chapter I reveal that I’ve never actually left Ireland, and have been fooling everyone with my photo and video editing skills for years. Suckers!

Q. Did Jack Kerouac really say that about your book?
A. Um, no. He died thirteen years before I was born. So I kinda lied. Sorry. I hope we can still be friends. Here’s a real testimonial to make amends…

“This shit be tight, yo!” – Marco Polo

Q. Is there an audio version of the book?
A. Yes. You can buy it via my website: http://ndoherty.com/books/cargo/

Q. Are there cargo ship sound effects to go with the audio version of the book?
A. I think you can hear a toilet flush at the end of chapter ten. That’s about as good as it gets.

Q. Why don't you fly? Sounds dumb.
A. It is pretty stupid, and I don't recommend it, but I explain my motivation in the book.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    133 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    March 30, 2014
  5. File size
    446 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00JDNAQ36
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (March 30, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 30, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 446 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 133 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 247

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Niall Doherty

Niall Doherty

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Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
247 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Chad
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic and inspirational book that I couldn't put down
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2014
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I've never been a big fan of reading non-fiction, but this book was great. It's not so long that it becomes a job to read it, but its long enough to keep you engaged for a few hours. In fact, I found myself wishing it was much longer. The author seems like a really down-to-earth guy and I personally found his stories to be very motivational. Niall talks a lot about the different places he's been and the people he's met and through his tales you're able to learn a lot about other cultures. Some of it good and some of it bad, but all of it interesting, all of it honest. It's a book about people and how we're all the same in one way or another. It's a book about following your dreams and never giving up even when it seems like everything and everyone is against you.

If you've ever wondered what it would be like to pack up your things and head off on an adventure, you should definitely give this book a read. And while I don't see myself planning a "cargo ship cruise" any time soon, he certainly made it sound enjoyable.
One person found this helpful
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James Andrews
4.0 out of 5 stars Great, quick read for travelers
Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2014
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I've been following Niall's blog since he did a Reddit AMA earlier this year. I really enjoy his insights and all his candid views of traveling -- both good and bad.

This was a great little read. Niall's an entertaining writer and I loved getting a first-hand take at his adventures and the insights he's gleaned from them. Honestly, my biggest complaint is that I wanted more when I had finished it. I was also much more interested in stories from his travels than I was in the half of the book that covers his time on the cargo ship, but the ship portions still kept me engaged and burning through the pages.

I bought the book back when it was $10, and for a 3-4 hour read, it felt a little too short to justify that price. For $5, I'd definitely recommend the book to anyone interested in travel, personal development, horizon-expanding, or a little Irish wit.
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MasterBates
3.0 out of 5 stars The wrong kind of book
Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2014
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I’ll be generous and give this offering 3 stars; had I shelled out $10 I probably wouldn’t feel quite so generous.
Quite simply, this is the wrong kind of book to chart an adventure such as Mr Docherty’s. The book’s bizarre format sucks the one element needed to captivate the reader: action.
It is beyond perplexing that the author chose to devote 50% of the book to his banal experience aboard a freighter ship, leaving insufficient time to unpack in detail the more worthwhile aspects to his jaunt. Far better writers than Mr Docherty would struggle here, and the author’s vain attempt to fill the void with folksy Americanisms and colloquial Irish humour fall flat on its face.
Perhaps his actual travel experiences really aren’t that interesting? There may be sex, but drugs and rock n roll are conspicuous in their absence. Reading about Mr Docherty’s vanilla sexual encounters with middleclass dames doesn't have quite the same impact as the drug fuelled debauchery of other travelogues.
The no flying challenge aspect simply isn’t enough to mask the inherent weaknesses here, mainly due to the author never really venturing from his comfort zone. With hostels and midrange hotels being his preferred accommodation, it’s all just feels so cozy and safe.
I admire Mr. Docherty for at least attempting something different, but this is no the optimal way to document the experience, nor is the content quite strong enough to merit a novel at this stage.
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Curious-Forever
5.0 out of 5 stars The Inspiring Travel Experiment That Might Help Challenge Yourself In Many Ways
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2017
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Very insightful surprisingly open look into someone's soul who dived into an inspiring travel experiment. Not making it just about the outer travel but the equally if not more important part - the inner travel and the insights that come along with exploring new territory, places and people. After having met Niall in person and knowing him a bit better and appreciating the way he lives: authentic and transparent - this book served me as an additional glimpse into his mind, heart and soul. And this book served an important purpose for me reminding me of my own travel and life journey - and the importance of sharing it with others as an important remedy for getting ourselves unstuck in the thinking that nobody really understands us.
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ace1339
4.0 out of 5 stars Candid and Open - A Great Read
Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2016
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The most powerful thing about Niall's work is his honesty. Even if you don't agree with his opinions or condone his actions, anyone can appreciate his sincerity on his journey to self-discovery. Though his nomadic lifestyle is unconventional, Niall writes of urges and feelings that, as people, we can relate to. For that camaraderie alone, "The Cargo Ship Diaries" is worth a read.

Fans of Niall's blog will find that they have seen some of the stories in the past. My version also had a few typos, but they weren't too distracting. The only story I didn't love was Swastika's: I left that chapter feeling unsure. However, the remainder of Niall's stories resonated with me very clearly, however, and I have the utmost respect for someone who can be so candid and open about a number of diverse (and sometimes difficult) topics.
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Thomas Clarke
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book, couldn't stop reading. Buy it Now!
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2014
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What a great read!
Niall has definitely got a gift for telling a story, and such a fantastic sense of humor. It's an easy, funny, self-deprecating and personal, read.

I had the pleasure of meeting Niall during his travels in Thailand. A great guy, and I can honestly say, I've never met anyone with as much integrity and commitment to his personal code and values. Committed to see things through, but opened minded enough to change course if he decides its warranted. The Niall on the pages, is Niall in real life.
Check his blog if you're in need of more stories after finishing the book. ndoherty dot com

Best Wishes and Safe Travels, Niall !
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Kindle Customer43
2.0 out of 5 stars Overstayed the Journey
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2016
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While Niall's journey was ambitious and parts were interesting and informative, he is NOT a writer of particular talent, and the last quarter of the book was simply an exercise in self-indulgence. He was bored and so was I.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Xabier
5.0 out of 5 stars Great inspiration
Reviewed in Spain on January 27, 2019
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I really enjoyed reading Niall's stories. Everything is so honest. It inspires to fight for our dreamed lifestyle and be persistent. More than that, It makes you think about the most important things in your life. Really recommended!
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michelle
5.0 out of 5 stars loved it!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 29, 2018
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Really enjoyed reading TCSD found it was well written great content, interesting and fun also, I loved the challenges that Nial gave himself, it motivated me to start some tapas also, some good recommended reading also, thanks Nial great book.
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Sebastian L.
5.0 out of 5 stars interesting book
Reviewed in Germany on February 6, 2018
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The book wasn't so much about the traveling on cargo ships, but about Nialls travels.
It was pretty interesting, quite amusing and entertaining.
I had the impression that the book ended abruptly, but well, Niall Doherty isn't a Book writer, but a blogger...
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Svizzera
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational
Reviewed in Germany on January 4, 2015
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What else can I say.
It's about a guy who experiences a lot of interesting things, narrated in a very clear way, easy to understand as a non-native as well.
A very compact and nice to have reading for a 3-4 day holiday stay.
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carlos
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Book
Reviewed in Spain on October 18, 2014
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This book was amazing to read. Super entertaining, easy and lovely reading, you will not stop reading it until the last page.
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