Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road

My impression of this book was one that encompassed an autobiography of sorts, blended with a subliminal healing quality about it. To me, Neil intends to do several things by writing this book. One, to seal up times from the past (if there is such a thing) a "letting go" if you will. Two, to give those particuarly interested in this subject, i.e. having similar loss, or to try to understand this subject having never gone through with it, an indepth journalistic step by step healing process in which may help others cope with similar tragedy. Three, a view through a small window of himself. And last but not least, motivation for those who think they have nothing left, to move forward in thier lives!!! For those who believe that Neil may have it easy because he is a "Rock Star", lets keep one thing in mind that may bring about a new perspective. Being in the band Rush has always been about working "harder for less" than others in the field they chose to be involved in. They have never had it easy, and have shown that they will push thier very limits of endurance on everything they do, even having a family life suffer as a result. Maybe then one can come to grips what it must be like making that sacrifice, then in one year's time, losing the two most important people in your life. If one feels that having money or fame makes that loss easier, I feel they are naive and selfish, in that they must put importance on other things not as important as family. I agree with Neil when he states that although he may have money, resources and time to deal with such a tragedy, that it doesn't feel any better than one without such things. This makes sense to me and was one of the most important points that I took from this read.I would like to add that if one keeps in mind that Neil wrote this book (in my opinion) for the reasons of the afformentioned, it turns out to be very well written, and informative even for whom are not fans of his artistry. For those who are fans, it gives a greatly anticipated look into Neil as a person, and as an inspiration. Although I was deeply saddened ( I cried in the first 10 pages or so of reading this) I was equally anxious to read anything that Neil would put down on paper. To me he is one of the best role models one could have in the current "limelight" and im sure I will one day pick this book up again, and read it with the same excitement I had the first time. I want to add here that although I was excited to read this book, that the seriousness of the subject and the tragedy that Neil incurred is first and foremost the most important issue here.I found this book to be a roller coaster of sorts of emotion, of all emotion, he is charming and intelligent, not to mention downright funny!!! I can certainly relate to his humor and morals and find that most people will be charmed by such. I believe that the topic of death or loss is a very sensitive one, and that Neil has attempted (and succeeded) in bringing to words the very real impact that it has on ones life, and has done it better than any other author I have read on this subject to date.For those looking for insight into the band Rush, you shouldn't view this as an opportunity as such, although there are several references to the band and his lyrics, they are there to serve the books theme, and tie in well with it.I am also impressed that this is Neils second book to date, and for being such a "rookie", I am highly impressed at his skill. And last but not least I want to remind a reader that although I seem elated to have purchased and read this book, that it remains a very saddening subject not akin to most people, but one that everyone should do thier best to understand, thank you Neil for your courage and hardwork, and least of all your inspiration.

For any fan of music, travel or just to pick up a great insightful story. Very good writing and a chance to learn how some people handle loss and grief

About a year ago, I came across the documentary "Rush | Time Stand Still." It was created because in May 2015, Rush went out for a 40th anniversary tour and it was rumored that would be their last tour; the end of their life on the road. In part of the documentary, it is revealed that in 1997, soon after the conclusion of Rush's "Test for Echo Tour," drummer Neil Peart's daughter, Selena Taylor, only 19, was killed in a single-car crash on her way back to college. His common-law wife Jackie passed from cancer and a broken heart soon after. In the documentary, Neil talks about how he set off on his motorcycle on a long cross-country trip, alone, to work out his pain and grief. The documentary gives the impression that this was a very solitary journey. Few people recognized him at the small diners and motels he stayed at, he tells the documentarian.Fascinated by the band Rush and the friendship between Rush bandmates Neil, Geddy and Alex, I bought every book about the band, including "Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road."It is a thick book filled with a remarkable amount of detail, owing to Neil's practice of writing about his experiences and keeping journals. And what comes across clearly is that the documentary totally missed the point of Neil's motorcycle journey. The documentary frames it as "the hero's journey" -- the person who is thrown out of ordinary life and takes a journey alone, by himself, at the end of which he is transformed."Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road" contains elements of "the hero's journey" but it is really about the healing power of friendship. Again and again Neil refers to his many friends' acts of kindness, generousity and hospitality. He includes among his closest friends his parents and his brother. The book is punctuated again and again with descriptions of his visits to his friends' houses. With his friends, he eats, drinks, laughs, jokes. He cares very deeply about a friend who got into terrific trouble with the law and he does his very best to support his friend in every way possible as he travels. Much of the text of the book is in the form of letters between Neil and his friends.In the end, he meets a woman he falls in love with and marries (and will have a daughter with). He meets Carrie because of a friend who believed that Carrie and Neil, sharing a love of photography, would get along well. It was a friend who invited Carrie and Neil to go on a hike with him. It was a friend who kept nudging Neil to consider romantic love as a possibility.As a testiment to the power of friendship when everything in one's life makes you feel ghost-like, this is a genuinely touching and inspiring book.

Muito boa a história do baterista, toda escrita em inglês, é a história da vida dele. Após a morte da esposa e da filha ele sai de moto sem destino pelo mundo. Onde percorre 80mil km.

There is a new addition to the Tiger Coward Adventure Motorcycle Library: Ghost Rider by Neil Peart. Thanks to all of you who recommended this book,  it was extraordinary!My executive summary is that this is a great book of recovery after unbelievable tragedies, and the story unfolds on a motorcycle tour across Canada, the USA, Mexico, and Central America.   Peart describes his journey,  on the Healing Road as he reinvents himself and his life through motorcycle therapy (also a great book title from Jeremy Kroecker).I will state my biases before you read any further. I grew up in south-central Ontario, and I don't think a day in my life has gone by without hearing a song from Rush.  Neil Peart was the drummer and principle song writer for Rush, Canada's most famous power rock trio. I can't count myself as a Rush fanatic, but I definitely owned a few of their records and at least one cassette. I first heard of Rush in the 1970s when my much cooler cousins, Audrey and Diana, saw them at their high school with Max Webster opening. Perhaps the coolest high school concert ever!Anyhow, Rush got much larger than Nort Park Collegiate, and reading a book from a revered artist who is a member of the Order of Canada is personally significant, but I will try to put this swooning behind me and focus on this book and why I loved it.Here are the 5 things that I most liked about the book:1. The story.  From the first pages of this book, I was consumed by the overwhelming losses that the author suffers and how heading out on two wheels was his only salvation.  In its own right, as a motorcycle travel book, it is very good.  Combine this with a deeply significant journey in search of improved mental health, and you have a book that is spell binding!2. The authenticity.  Neil Peart rock star and a legend.  He could afford to travel for years on end without financial worry.  He could stay at fabulous hotels (not all of the time) and eat at fine restaurants (not all of the time), and none of that matters when it comes to losing a loved one.  Or two. In mourning, there are no heroes or legends. Just humans, and the author shows us this through his letters to friends, family, and colleagues.  This book gives us an authentic window into one man's life as he travels the roads as a prescription for health and healing.3. The letters.  This book is a marriage between stories told to the reader by the author and a collection of letters written by Peart to his inner circle of confidantes.The letters are beautiful,  moving, and brilliantly constructed.  They are so good that you will want to start writing meaningful letters yourself, instead of just sending the odd email to friends.  At least, that is what it made me want to do. It also makes me wish that I had friends who would take the time, or had the intellect, to write to me this way.  C'mon, dudes,  pick up your game (joking, of course).4. The writing.  Our author is an artist of the highest order.  He has been recognized domestically and internationally for his talents as a musician and as a lyricist. The book was even edited by Paul McCartney! (If you don't know who he is, please stop reading here and unfollow me on whatever forum that you found this review. Thanks.)Anyhow, this artistic talent and flair is not limited to drumming or song writing and shows itself beautifully throughout this book.  It is an absolute pleasure to read. This is a book that I am sure that I will read again!5. The books that Peart reads and quotes would create a fabulous library all on its own.I wonder why I don't read more about the places that I have ridden to.  Or conversely, why I haven't ridden to the places that I have read about.  I don't know the answer to either of these questions, but Neil Peart has inspired me to do both.Finally,  when I overcome my addiction to reading motorcycle adventure books, which are really human experience books, I am going to read every book that Peart read on this multi year oddessy. Suffice it to say that I was, and am, totally and completely enamored with Ghost Rider.I suggest that you buy a copy for yourself and one for a friend.  Perhaps a friend who you know deserves a great letter but gets a great book instead!I am currently reading Steven Sherill's book, Motorcycles, Minotaur and Banjos.  Btw, I already love it!

Buen libro, triste por momentos pero bastante bueno de un gran batería.

acquistata la versione italiana per pura curiosità trovando il percorso di Mr. Peart molto affascinante, ho divorato il libro in pochissimo tempo; ha una carica magica, il modo in cui ha scritto Peart riesce a farti provare le sue stesse sensazioni ed emozioni, e riesce a farti vedere i paesaggi dei paesi toccati come se si fosse accanto a lui, un libro magico, un must have....e scommetto che la lettura in inglese sarà ancora più stimolante e magica

他のレヴューワーの方もおっしゃるように、この本は最愛の家族をすべて亡くした著者による「魂再生過程の旅の記録」である。愛する娘を突然交通事故で亡くし、その後間もなく長年連れ添ってきた妻を癌で亡くす。このようなかけがえのない存在を相次いで亡くした時に人ははたして耐えられるだろうか。カナダのロックバンド「ラッシュ」のメンバーでもあるこの著者の魂は抜け殻のようになり、かつて妻がプレゼントしてくれたオートバイで家を出て、北米横断、縦断の旅に出る。本書は英語であるが、オートバイに乗る人（乗ったことがある人）であれば、辞書を引きださなくとも多少の英語の素養があれば、その情景が目に浮かぶように読めるのではないかと思う。それだけ描写は自然であり、カナダやアメリカの自然描写と連動した著者の心理描写が絶妙である。これはそれまでアフリカなどをバイクで旅をして出版してきた著者の経験が生きていると思う。私ももし同じような境遇になったとしたら（絶対にそうあっては欲しくないが）、同じように旅に出るだろう。実際、私はカナダなど北米を車で横断した経験を持つが、ついオートバイで1日に９００Ｋｍも走る著者と自分を重ね合わせて読んでいた。著者の魂は深い悲しみに沈み、タイトルにあるようにまるでゴーストのように空っぽになり、そして旅に出る。何を期待した訳でもなく著者はそうしたがそこから魂再生の過程が始まる。バイク乗りでなくても、喪失体験などで深い悲しみを味わっている人にとっても「癒しに近い何かを得る書」と言えるのではないかと思う。