Travelling by Road, Rail, Sea, Air (and Wheelchair) in North America

In this review of Travelling by Road, Rail, Sea, Air (and Wheelchair) in North America the reviewer summarises a heartfelt travel memoir by Mike Fox about a four-week journey with his wife Sylvia, who travelled with a wheelchair while living with Parkinson's disease. The book is best for readers who appreciate human-scale travel stories, candid observations about accessibility and a mix of humour and touching moments; the single biggest reason to read it is the author's honest, personal account of navigating diverse places and people across North America.

Key Features

• Personal journey: A first-person account of a four-week trip across North America that provides intimate, reflective storytelling.
• Accessibility perspective: Clear, real-world descriptions of travelling with a wheelchair that illustrate practical challenges and adaptations.
• Range of locations: Visits to major cities, rural communities and pristine wilderness, offering varied landscapes and cultural settings.
• Encounters with people: Encounters with old friends, new acquaintances and members of diverse social strata that reveal regional character and opinion.
• Blend of tones: A mixture of amusing, moving and occasionally miraculous incidents that keep the narrative engaging.

Who It's For

This memoir will appeal to readers of travel writing who want a human-centred voyage rather than a guidebook; it is especially valuable for anyone interested in accessibility, caregiving journeys and personal reflection while on the move. People who enjoy regional colour, small encounters and thoughtful commentary will find much to like in Mike Fox's observations.

Those seeking detailed transportation timetables, practical travel itineraries or a how-to manual for accessible travel should look elsewhere; the book is a narrative and reflection rather than a step-by-step practical guide. It also presumes interest in personal storytelling rather than purely photographic or technical travel content.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Intimate, humane storytelling brings Sylvia and Mike's journey to life and highlights accessibility issues in real settings.
• Varied settings from Amish communities to wilderness provide a broad sense of North American diversity.
• Mix of humour and poignant moments keeps the narrative balanced and engaging throughout the trip.

Cons

• The book does not function as a practical travel guide with checklists or schedules, so readers seeking actionable instructions may be disappointed.

Specifications

Title	Travelling by Road, Rail, Sea, Air (and Wheelchair) in North America
Author	Mike Fox
Subject	Travel memoir and personal journey
Timeframe	Four weeks in September and October 2016
Perspective	Travelling with a wheelchair; experiences of disability and caregiving
Settings covered	Major cities, rural communities, Amish community in Indiana, wilderness

Our Verdict

Travelling by Road, Rail, Sea, Air (and Wheelchair) in North America is a worthwhile read for those who value candid, human travel writing and want insight into travelling with a wheelchair. It offers good value as a memoir that combines compassion, humour and regional observation, making it a strong recommendation for readers interested in personal travel narratives and accessibility perspectives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a practical accessibility guide?
The book shares lived experiences and observations about wheelchair travel but is written as a memoir rather than a how-to manual.

How long is the journey covered?
The narrative follows a four-week journey taken in September and October 2016 across North America.

Does the book focus on urban or rural travel?
It covers a mix of major cities, rural communities, an Amish community in Indiana and areas of wilderness for a varied view of the continent.