Ten Years a Nomad: A Traveler's Journey Home

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars | 491 ratings

Price: 17.5

Last update: 12-03-2024


About this item

Part memoir and part philosophical look at why we travel, filled with stories of Matt Kepnes' adventures abroad, an exploration of wanderlust and what it truly means to be a nomad.

"Matt is possibly the most well-traveled person I know...His knowledge and passion for understanding the world is unrivaled, and never fails to amaze me." --Mark Manson, New York Times bestselling author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

Ten Years a Nomad is New York Times bestselling author Matt Kepnes’ poignant exploration of wanderlust and what it truly means to be a nomad. Part travel memoir and part philosophical look at why we travel, it is filled with aspirational stories of Kepnes' many adventures.

New York Times bestselling author of How to Travel the World on $50 a Day, Matthew Kepnes knows what it feels like to get the travel bug. After meeting some travelers on a trip to Thailand in 2005, he realized that living life meant more than simply meeting society's traditional milestones, such as buying a car, paying a mortgage, and moving up the career ladder. Inspired by them, he set off for a year-long trip around the world before he started his career. He finally came home after ten years. Over 500,000 miles, 1,000 hostels, and 90 different countries later, Matt has compiled his favorite stories, experiences, and insights into this travel manifesto. Filled with the color and perspective that only hindsight and self-reflection can offer, these stories get to the real questions at the heart of wanderlust. Travel questions that transcend the basic "how-to," and plumb the depths of what drives us to travel - and what extended travel around the world can teach us about life, ourselves, and our place in the world.

Ten Years a Nomad is for travel junkies, the travel-curious, and anyone interested in what you can learn about the world when you don’t have a cable bill for a decade or spend a month not wearing shoes living on the beach in Thailand.


Top reviews from the United States

Sylvia Seven
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful insights all the way through
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2023
There are travel books that describe destinations and ways and means of going, and then there are travel books that explore what it means to be human. "Ten Years a Nomad" looks at the experience of travel first and foremost as an inside job. In candidly sharing his thoughts, feelings, and states of mind as they arose, shifted, and transformed in the course of his travels, Matt Kepnes offers the reader gifts of understanding and compassion that will resonate with anyone who has questioned their own direction, purpose, or values in life.

Whether you plan to see the world firsthand or stay home and cultivate your own garden, if you'd appreciate the story of how a shy, insecure, "nerdy" guy gradually discovered the secret to achieving his heart's desire -- and grew into the life that was right for him -- this book is for you. And I'll bet you'll want to read it more than once. It's that good.
Lyn Marie
4.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2023
I was expecting a ten year travel log but this book was much more interesting. It is a philosophical tome about life and getting to know one’s self.
Lisa D
5.0 out of 5 stars Honest Book About Long-Term Travel
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2019
Matt Kepnes’ Ten Years a Nomad was a fascinating read that kept me wanting to learn more with each page I read. In the introduction, Matt says he didn’t come from a family that took exotic vacations or even traveled much around the country. This introduction made me want to buy the book and finish reading the story since I had assumed he had been a traveler all his life.
After graduating from college, Matt grew tired of the daily routine of his life and saw boredom and regret when he thought about his life decades down the road. He made the decision to stop waiting around for his two-week annual vacation and make traveling his full-time “work.” He received little support from friends, family, and co-workers when he told them his plans, but this discouragement didn’t deter him.
As he traveled, he learned how to navigate through challenges. Because he was shy and introverted, approaching people and starting conversations with new people didn’t come naturally to him. He shares how he was able to make friends by being himself and forge ahead in his travels.
The more I read the book, the more I saw that Nomadic Matt is more than a catchy name for his travel blog. He really is a nomad who who was born to travel. Hitting the road, making new friends, eating different types of food, bar hopping, exploring unfamiliar surroundings, and connecting with others in hostels were things that attracted him. He didn’t feel right when he returned to the States. His travels did help him, however, become comfortable with the more ordinary things of home. He discovered there’s adventure waiting even in one’s own hometown or country.
Matt doesn’t make the world of travel sound like one big, exciting adventure. He talks about the loneliness and frustration that come with it. For instance, because he was always moving on to other destinations, he didn’t always keep in touch with people he met and experienced heartaches and lost romances. After reading Matt’s honest accounts of his experiences, I came away from this book with a better understanding of both the good and bad aspects of long-term international travel.
Devin Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars Very very inspirational
Reviewed in the United States on February 29, 2024
From someone who is traveled, not nearly as not as much as the author, but has traveled… This is very inspiring, and makes me want to get out there again ASAP. Never listen to your haters, the people that ask WHY you’re doing this… Just do it and live life.
Hana Pika
3.0 out of 5 stars Imteresting to view the world through Matt's lens
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2019
I enjoyed reading this book and sharing Matt's journey as he started to travel, built his business and ultimately followed it to his present situation. It was fun to compare notes on our shared experiences and to reflect on my own learnings along my journey.
Thanks for sharing your story in such an open and honest way!
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5.0 out of 5 stars Great perspective
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2023
This book is well written. Every individual embarking on a life journey in his 20s should read it. Especially for individuals who are still embedded in culture and traditions and who want to break the chains of times . The one who wants to experience the world with curiosity , openness and adventure .
Gina Mahoney
4.0 out of 5 stars A very true and honest account of life as a nomad...
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2020
I’ve been a fan of Matt Kepnes as his book, “How To Travel The World on $50 A Day,” inspired my own nomadic life and travels. I read “Ten Years a Nomad” 1/2 way through and didn’t want to read the end, as I know this nomad returns home and starts a new chapter. Picking the book up and finishing it, I have to applaud Matt for his brutal honesty about life as a nomad and conquering his own crippling shyness, social awkwardness and heart ache to live his one best life. There are no magic answers in this book, just the author’s heartfelt account on what motivates him to step out of the “normal American life” and live by the beat of his own drum. There are parts that truly inspire as it’s an extremely honest portrayal of his life. Take what you will to empower yourself and live YOUR own best life. What do you have to lose?
Wesley Angel
5.0 out of 5 stars If you are considering whether or not to buy this book, you probably should do it already.
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2020
I have been dreaming of travel since childhood. I even enlisted into the military, thinking of following in familial footsteps and seeing the world. I have done some travelling after leaving the military as well, and what I found, was I really wanted more...on my terms. I picked up Matt's 1st book (How To Travel the World on $50 A Day) at random, because I thought going that route would get more "bang for my buck" per se. Then, I was crippled and paralyzed by fear. Fear of letting people I love down and disappointed. Fear of not "making it" in the world outside my comfort zone. This is where this book came in.

This book covered every question I had and then some. It was well articulated and Matt bared his soul and sources of knowledge and sacrifices in life within the pages. If only I had a book like this years ago! DO NOT waste time, get the book, get the answers, and get the courage to leave and follow your dream of travel. Start here, then start planning your adventure. Enjoy the journey, I know I am! Thank you, Matt!

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