Travel as a Political Act

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars | 549 ratings

Price: 19.1

Last update: 04-12-2025


About this item

Change the world one trip at a time. In this illuminating collection of stories and lessons from the road, acclaimed travel writer Rick Steves shares a powerful message that resonates now more than ever.

With the world facing divisive events and movements like the rise of nationalism, Trump, Brexit, Erdogan, and more, there's never been a more important time to travel.

Rick believes the risks of travel are widely exaggerated, and that fear is for people who don't get out much. After years of living out of a suitcase, he still marvels at how different cultures may find different truths to be self-evident. By sharing his experiences from Europe, Central America, Asia, and the Middle East, Rick shows how we can learn more about own country by viewing it from afar.

With gripping stories from Rick's decades of exploration, this fully revised edition of Travel as a Political Act is an antidote to the current climate of xenophobia. When we travel thoughtfully, we bring back the most beautiful souvenir of all: a broader perspective on the world that we all call home.


Top reviews from the United States

  • Frank The Tank
    5.0 out of 5 stars Rick Steves' Travel As a Political Act: Enlightening Perspectives on Global Citizenship
    Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2024
    "Rick Steves' Travel As a Political Act" is a profound exploration of the transformative power of travel beyond mere sightseeing. Steves delves into the idea that travel can serve as a catalyst for personal growth, cultural understanding, and global citizenship. Through insightful anecdotes and thought-provoking observations, he challenges readers to go beyond their comfort zones and engage with the world in a meaningful way. From fostering empathy and breaking down stereotypes to promoting sustainability and social justice, Steves demonstrates how travel can be a force for positive change. His passion for exploring different cultures and perspectives is palpable on every page, inspiring readers to become more informed, empathetic, and responsible citizens of the world. With its compelling narrative and timely message, "Travel As a Political Act" is a must-read for anyone seeking to expand their horizons and make a difference in the world. A well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars.
  • clive
    5.0 out of 5 stars Should be required reading for every american.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2024
    If you are afraid of traveling, like many americans, you need to read this book. If you want to expand your horizons and understand the world better, read this book. I recommend.
  • Richard
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
    Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2024
    We've known Steve as a Travel Writer and host but it was great to get to know him as a political travel writer. Loved it!!!
  • Tom Neely
    4.0 out of 5 stars Darn Good Book
    Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2022
    Rick Steves rocks.
  • Amanda
    5.0 out of 5 stars an excellent, informative read
    Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2024
    This is not a fluffy European travel book from Rick Steves, but a well-written reflection of the world through his eyes. It is informative and enlightening, and a great read. I plan to read it again in the future to get even more out of it.
  • J. Holloway
    5.0 out of 5 stars The enjoyment of interaction with people of different cultures, faiths and political systems, this book is one you'll enjoy
    Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2017
    "While seeing travel as a political act enables us to challenge our society to do better, it also shows us how much we have to be grateful for, to take responsibility for, and to protect." Rich Steves
    This is a great travel book that doesn't preach but encourages our experiencing and interaction with different cultures, religions, countries and the people who live there. the chapter on Iran, is compelling, but too far out of my comfort zone to want to visit. The chapter on Morocco & Turkey and talks of towns with large populations that follow Secular Islam like Istanbul & Tangier that are welcoming to Christian and other foreign travelers makes me want to visit. And according to Rich Steves, one of the more enjoyable experiences you'll have in Morocco is walking through Tangier's at night, to experience the people and their welcoming attitude to all visitors.
    Rich covers the political conflicts with Israel and the Palestinians, where you come away understanding the pain the Palestinians must feel having their home land taken away by a league of foreign governments. And that their most likely will not be a good solution to this conflict as long as the two societies stay separated by walls where the populations are not able to meet and find some common ground.
    The book also delves into systems and governments that work better than are own in some aspects of community life and how we may want to take some of these practices to see if they work well back home in the USA.
    Mark Twain "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness".
  • A. Forsyth
    5.0 out of 5 stars Traveling with eyes and heart and mind wide open
    Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2009
    A message implicit in the Rick Steves travel philosophy behind his ultra-useful Europe travel guides is at the center of this wonderful, unique book: your responsibilities as a citizen travel with you when you leave your country. Or" "Active, responsible citizenship: don't leave home (or return) without it." Traveling with your eyes open, and with an open mind and open heart, means that you will experience how people in other places do things differently--and difference is not bad. The more we learn about others, the more we learn about ourselves, often lessons that might be applied back home to improve our community, nation, planet.

    The focus throughout the book is on people--ordinary (though often extraordinary) people Steves met while traveling--and how they live their lives. Drawn from Steves' extensive travels over forty years, the easily-readable small volume is chock full of examples of how people in Europe (and Morocco, Turkey, El Salvador and Iran) do things differently, from mailboxes designed to deter junk mail to approaches to soft drug use. Steves' reflections on these differences helped me understand the rationale behind them. The powerful final chapter helped me see how I might share good ideas from my travels when I return home, and contribute to the betterment of all.

    To get the most out of this book requires some background knowledge of what's happening in the world (at the level of occasional TV news watching), but any reader will learn a great deal about how the world works from reading this. And you don't need to be a traveler to gain from it, but almost certainly you will be more inspired to travel--and to learn and contribute--after reading it.

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