Jonny Bealby's books
Jonny’s writing career began in 1995, when, having returned from driving a motorbike around Africa, he published Running with the Moon, which has since gone on to become something of a travel classic.
Following this success, in 1996 Jonny headed to Pakistan and Afghanistan to follow in the footsteps of his two heroes from English literature, Peachey Carnahan and Daniel Dravot form Kipling’s short story, The Man Who Would Be King. As well as giving rise to his second highly acclaimed book, For a Pagan Song, it also saw Jonny discover the Kalash and from here form his adventure travel company, Wild Frontiers.
But travel writing had not quite seen the back of him. In 1999, on what was undoubtedly his most bizarre escape to date, he rode on horseback from Kashgar to the Caspian Sea with a girl he’d known for only a few hours. This resulted in another book, Silk Dreams, Troubled Road and the much applauded Discovery film; Have Girl with Travel. Jonny has visited more than 80 countries, has had articles featured in numerous publications and lectured to the Royal Geographical Society on Afghanistan & Pakistan. For more information on Jonny Bealby please click here.
If you would like to purchase a Limited edition, hardback copy of Jonny's new book - signed personally to yourself or a friend - please send a cheque for £10 + £2.50pp to Wild Frontiers, Unit 6 Hurlingham Business Park, 55 Sulivan Road, London SW6 3DU.
Running with the Moon:
To read a short extract from Running with the Moon, please click here
To purchase the book at Amazon now please click here
Jonny Bealby was devastated when his fiancée, Melanie, died unexpectedly while they were travelling in Kashmir . Two years later still lost and disillusioned, he took on a challenge of a lifetime. Setting off with only his motorbike for company he began a daring and dangerous journey around the African continent in a desperate attempt to unearth some meaning in his life.
Bittersweet, bold and beautifully told, Running With the Moon is a story of true love and loss, of exploration, adventure and courage.
What the critics say:
'Honest and passionate, it's one of the best travel books I've ever read...' GQ
'Bealby handles this tragic tale with endearing honesty and tenderness. It is the romantics naiveté, not to mention his irrepressible energy, optimism and courage which charms the reader.' Daily Telegraph
'Bealby tells his story incredibly well. He is funny and humble and delightfully honest. His tale - especially those parts that deal with Melanie - never palls. There are many times when his Boy's Own Adventure made me laugh out loud - and a couple of times when his bravery and innocent romanticism moved me to tears. An excellent read and very moving book.' Daisy Waugh for the Daily Mail
'Touching and honest' Traveller
'An intriguing and poignant record of man's journey.' Impact
For a Pagan Song:
To read a short extract from For a Pagan Song
please click here
To purchase the book at Amazon now please click here.
At the age of twenty-one, Jonny Bealby had never read a book. Truth to tell, he was rather proud of the fact. ' Readings ' boring,' he confidently told his new girlfriend, Melanie, who seemed to devour books by the dozen. Life was too full of excitement for Jonny to waste his time on the written word and, being dyslexic (he failed English language O'level five times), he found reading hard work. But a few weeks after his meeting Melanie she gave him a present: Rudyard Kiping's The Man Who Would Be King . And the man who wouldn't read discovered literature.
For a Pagan Song is the story of how Jonny followed in the footsteps of his two heroes from literature, travelling across remote parts of India, Pakistan and into war-torn Afghanistan, seeking the old pagan tribes of Kafiristan, and looking, too, to his past to find out who he really was. Picturing himself seated by a roaring fire, listening to the song of a pagan chief, Jonny set out to discover the ancient tribes of Kafiristan - and in the meantime discovered himself.
Full of adventure and a disarming openness that brings Jonny so many fans, For a Pagan Song is an exciting travelogue and heart-warming and inspiring read.
What the critics say:
'A rollicking tale... no one has written a better travel book about the region since Eric Newby came down from the Hindu Kush' Daily Telegraph
'Rudyard Kipling's The Man Who Would Be King is a classic tale from the golden age of Victorian adventure. By following in the footsteps of Peachey Carnehan and Daniel Dravot, Jonny Bealby courageously echoes the spirit of those daring times.' Michael Caine.
'Entrancing... compelling...completely engaging.... the very best of the summer's travel books.' Daily Mail
'Jonny Bealby has written a superb and truthful book. His journey is extremely funny and moving; he can write lyrically and travels with humility. I cannot remember the last travel book that had me laughing aloud and in tears by the end... extremely worthwhile and memorable.' Traveller
'Bealby's down-to-earth and colourful descriptions of his travels are a pleasure to read' Wanderlust
'Something in Bealby's voice, a mixture of innocence, determination and pain, makes this journey worthwhile. Was glad to be there when he finally reached his pagan land.' Sunday Times
'The most colourful travel book of the year' The Scotsman
Silk Dreams, Troubled Road:
To read a short extract from Silk Dreams, Troubled Road please click here.
To purchase the book at Amazon now please click here.
Whilst In Islamabad investigating the possibilities of setting up an adventure travel company, Jonny Bealby met the woman of his dreams. Not only that, but Rachel was the person with whom he could live out his dream - to travel the old Silk Road on horseback. On his return to Pakistan that Christmas, however, Jonny was faced with those dreadful words: 'I've met someone else.'
With his heart fixed on this journey, as well as the possibility of a TV deal, Jonny set out to find a Quixotic stranger as a companion. In no time at all he found Sarah - attractive, warm and funny - the perfect candidate for a possible romance. Unfortunately, though, during their search for the Heavenly Horses that would carry them across the Mountains of Heaven, their fledgling relationship was beset by problems of communication, inexperience and the difficulties of adapting to radically different cultures and surroundings.
Not only a stimulating travelogue, Jonny and Sarah's adventure is an intriguing and heart-warming illustration of human relationships as they are tested to the limits.
What the critics say:
'A truly enthralling book.' Daily Mail
'An absolute page-turner. I found myself firing through the 'travelling' passages so that I could get to the latest camp-fire dust-up. Wonderful descriptions of the Mountains of Heaven and the ancient city of Samarkand .' Wanderlust
'Reads like a cross between Ray Mears Extreme Survival and Streetmates.An incredible adventure.' OK! Magazine.
