I really felt like I got to know [Rolf Potts] through [his] book Vagabonding, which was one of two books – many people do not know this – that I took with me around the world for about a year and a half, starting in late 2004, early 2005. It must have been 2004. And it is one of my most heavily underlined books, and really acted as my guide and my companion for all of the various travels, adventures, misadventures during that time.

. . .

So, you know, money that provides you with freedom basically takes away your freedom when it reaches a certain point. It starts to reduce your freedom; the idea that so-called freedom fighters in excess, you know, given too much power become tyrants, right, so things tend to flip when they get to a certain point of excess.

And also, just because I’m such a die-hard fan boy of Vagabonding, correct me if I’m wrong, but the example that I think you gave in Vagabonding of sort of Hollywood nonsense related to overseas travel was from Wall Street.

Wasn’t it from Wall Street where Charlie Sheen’s big goal was to save up enough money, you know, one day when he strikes it big, to get a motorcycle and drive across China, I think. And you pointed out that you could scrub toilets in China – not even in the US – for a month or two, and probably figure out a way financially to make that possible.

So certainly, I mean when I was traveling, and ultimately putting together the notes and observations that became The Four Hour Work Week, I saved tens of thousands of dollars compared to simply staying in the Bay Area in California. Yeah, anyway South America or the Middle East, than you would just be paying your bills and paying your rent and buying your groceries at home. You’re traveling in a completely different economic zone, which was sort of the point of pointing out this Wall Street example.

via Ep 41: Rolf Potts on Travel Tactics, Creating Time Wealth, and Lateral Thinking

It reminds me of conversations I've had with Rolf Potts and also his book, Vagabonding, which I just absolutely love. It was that book and Walden that I took with me traveling when I had my own two year or so walkabout. He points out, in the beginning of Vagabonding, that many people subscribe to the belief along the lines of Charlie Sheen's in the movie Wall Street, when he's asked what he's going to do when he makes his millions and he says, "I'm going to get a motorcycle and ride across China."

Rolf of course points out that you could clean toilets in the US and save enough money to ride a motorcycle across China.

via Ep 25: Kevin Kelly - WIRED Co-Founder, Polymath, Most Interesting Man In The World

This is one two books that I took with me around the world in 2004. The other book was Walden by Thoreau. This is arguably the most practical manual of life philosophies that I've found. It has a focus on the uncommon guide or rather the uncommon art of long term world travel. But it is an outstanding book for those people who feel trapped in any situation, any business, any career. Or if you simply want to experience more of life. Really really really outstanding.

via Random w/ Tim and Kevin - Ep3

This post is a dream come true.

Starting in college, I’ve fantasized about somehow driving fantastic but under-appreciated books into the limelight. I have a soft spot for out-of-print tomes and niche publications.

Flash forward, nearly 15 years later…

After three #1 bestsellers, I’ve finally pulled the trigger. For the last several months, I’ve been quietly buying audiobook and e-book rights to books that have changed my life, and producing audiobooks in professional studios.

Fun!

This post launches the Tim Ferriss Book Club, and the first book is incredible: Vagabonding.

Why a Book Club?

There are several reasons…

I was greatly influenced by books recommended by Oprah Winfrey’s Book Club (e.g. Love in the Time of Cholera), despite the fact that I wasn’t her demographic.

I could never find a book club for 20-40-year old males, or a curator for that demo. I’m now in a position to give it a shot myself (and extend it to women, of course).

Based on recent experiments (BitTorrent and elsewhere), I think I can at least double an author’s print sales with my marketing of their audio/e-book. I like helping good writers.

This blog’s community is incredible…and we like books (see comparison to TV and NYT Op-Ed impact). The idea of having thousands of people read the same book each month, all interacting with one another and the book’s author, is thrilling to me. And, last but not least…

You’ve asked me to start a book club for years!

The time has come.

This leads us to Rolf Potts and a little tome with a huge impact…