One More Horizon -- Reviews

A message from the author

One More Horizon has been described in many ways by readers, reviewers, and literary
critics. The book tells a tale of survival to be sure, an item repeated consistently by most
readers, but I hope the story's lasting impression is much different. At its simplest, One More
Horizon is an entertaining tale -- armchair travel for those who cannot make the journey on
their own. At its best, the adventure is a source of inspiration, a template for overcoming long
odds and major difficulties in our own lives. It gives me great pleasure to receive letters
stating "the book inspired me to go for my Master's degree" or "as a single woman, you gave
me the courage to ride across America alone." Those simple statements are the reward of all
writers, and define the value of any written word. One More Horizon has been blessed by
many great reviews as well, far more than shown here, and I have reproduced a cross-section
of comments below. I hope it helps in describing the book.

Midwest Book Review -- Five Stars and Reviewer's Choice

"...a powerful and involving testimonial." Read the full review

Jack D. Hunter, bestselling author

"By any measure the story is a great one. An extraordinary biographical work by a man ever
so much more audacious and persistent than most of us vicarious Vikings."

Earl Wuchter, Lehigh Wheelmen Association

All of us (cyclists) have had our little adventures -- doing Centuries, sagged or self-supported
camping trips, cross state, even cross country, and some have made extensive solo trips --
but Scott Zamek's odyssey beats all.

"One More Horizon" is the author's interesting and well-written account of his solo, self-
supported ride passing through some 21 countries. Wanting to see the world, but wanting
more to meet its people, Zamek chose to travel by bicycle. On a tight budget and lacking any
significant cycling experience, he chose an inexpensive mountain bike and a few spare parts
and tubes. He did, however, get good, lightweight camping gear. His ride through
Pennsylvania and New Jersey gave him a chance to test the gear and his legs before boarding
a flight to Oslo, where the real trip began. He planned to ride south to Africa, then through the
Middle East to Asia.

You can enjoy this book by following Zamek's route on a world atlas, but the book is not just
another travelogue or bicycle travel guide. The real story is about Scott Zamek, the people he
encountered, and his adventures. It is a story of deserts and the searing sun, of mountains and
freezing temperatures, and of struggling with a bicycle that is not up to the task. A story of
perseverance.

Always looking for adventure, Zamek avoided the beaten track whenever possible, staying
away from hotels and areas frequented by tourists. This put him in places where English, his
only language, was seldom heard, and he sometimes had to communicate his needs in mime.
He once cycled into a village in India so remote that none of the locals had ever before seen an
outsider.

He was often harassed by petty bureaucrats and border guards, once by police. His tires were
slashed. His bike and all his possessions were stolen when he left them out of sight for a few
minutes, leaving him stranded on the road. In contrast to this treatment, he received many
kindnesses from other travelers and local residents, and especially from common folk he met
in the desert villages he passed through -- people who gladly gave him food even though they
had little for themselves; people who knew only one way to treat a traveler.

There is not enough space in this review to even touch on all of Scott Zamek's adventures and
trials, but you can experience them with him, in a way, in your easy chair. Readers who
admire a true adventurer should have this book.

Sylvia Edgar, The Blue Ridge Bicycle Club

Scott Zamek has written an entertaining, captivating account of bicycling across the globe.
His pre-trip planning seemed deceptively simple: a bicycle he could afford, some extra parts
and equipment, a few maps, and not enough visas. His book starts in urban areas, reminiscent
of any American backpacker's travels in Europe. Images are easy to identify with, as on the
ferry crossing between Sweden and Denmark: “In the distance, framed in azure, black-
feathered sea birds flew, their orange beaks angled toward the North Sea.” Europe is as we
expect from travel brochures, and seems almost too easy.

By the time he crosses the Pyrenees, his physical stamina, and his writing, take on a new
edge. He enters Africa and suffers the hardships of crossing the Sahara during the hottest
months of the year, with only the water he can carry, and at what must have been little more
than walking pace. He describes the camaraderie of cyclists in foreign lands, and the welcome
and sometimes life-saving generosity of the poorest villagers. His descriptions of desert
cravings, thirst, hunger, are among the best I’ve read. They are even more poignant when we
later learn that everything, including diaries and photographs, was stolen in Italy, and that he
re-wrote much of his African experience from memory.

...For me, his most compelling images are of bicycling the Silk Road through the Karakoram
Mountains. By this time, I was on the road with him, pedaling through the narrow mountain
valleys, while Pakistani youth on cliffs above threw rocks down on him and Papillon, his
bicycle. Climbing with him up each pass into the clouds, foot by foot, blinded by sleet and
snow, always wondering if the Chinese would let him enter with a bicycle, or make him turn
around at the border.

NC Fats Bicycle Club

I read the book, and recommend it. It was one of those books that compelled you to keep
turning the pages to see what was next -- a well written adventure.

Jonathan Pratt, Pittsburgh Off-Road Cyclists

I just wanted to let everyone know about a fantastic book I recently finished reading. One
More Horizon: Ohio to Hong Kong the Long Way, by Scott Zamek. It documents Scott's
incredible 20,000 mile around-the-world journey by bike. If you enjoy travel, adventure, and
biking you are going to love this book. Scott’s acute awareness of his surroundings comes
through beautifully in his storytelling.

Reader's Letter

Scott, I think I can call you by your first name, having gone through the agonies you did in
your book. I mean, I went through them vicariously, you write so well.

This is an astounding book. I read it, savored it, slowly with a National Geographic world map
at my elbow at all times. Many of the tiny towns you found, of course were not on my map --
and the world has changed since the map was printed. Nevertheless, following your incredible
and amazing progress was possible to some degree. Exciting!

Surely you have a guardian angel with you. No one could have done what you did without
one. I am convinced you spread a fine example of American stamina, determination and
discipline to all those you met and all those who heard about you.

After I finished the book, I went into a kind of depression to no longer have the story and my
map to curl up with. My heartfelt good wishes go out to you.

Reader's Letter

...Being a very serious cyclist myself, I felt that I could connect with a lot of what you were
saying. I think I would have loved it just the same if I had never ridden a bike. You may have
heard this before, but you have achieved what many people only dream of. I have always
wanted to cycle to the west coast alone, and after reading your book it inspired me to think
seriously about that.

When I first started reading the pages went by slowly because of constant interruptions, but
the farther I went the more tied to it I became. I found myself carrying it from room to room
with me, waking up in the middle of the night because I wanted to find out what happened
next. I just couldn't put it down. And when I was finished, I felt myself wanting more. I was
sad that it had to end.

I think all of us have an adventurous side, it is just buried more deeply in some than in others.
By sharing in your experience we can all be inspired. Men, women, athletes and couch
potatoes.

I'm looking forward to your next journey.

Reader's Letter

I just finished and I'm already sad, because, like you, I didn't want it to end. I am a reader
who loves the vicarious experience of being where the writer takes me. I am so much richer
today than I was a fortnight ago. As I traveled with you, I came to admire each aspect of
your character -- the sheer stamina, the never say die, the incredible adaptability to any
situation. You did indeed seem to have a guardian angel on your shoulder to have escaped with
your life so many times from so many dangers.

Every time you described an ugly American, I cringed. Every time you found a good one, I
applauded. The book glides when you get to Norway. My absolute, most wonderful, favorite
part is when you do dialogue. You have a marvelous ear and I loved the humor of it. After
Norway, I was completely hooked. I read it out loud at dinner. My husband glared at me
several times because he wasn't getting enough attention because of your book. My step son
was here and I read him sections. He asked for more.

I read every word. I know I stopped making notations for thirty pages sometimes. I was
soaring with adventure.

Website Postings

1. A fascinating concatenation of experiences translated into tale after well-told tale. Given the
current geopolitical landscape, it's difficult to imagine anyone retracing Zamek's treadmarks
anytime soon -- perhaps ever. A reader happening upon this book in future times will be
thrilled, astounded, heartened, and inspired. Perhaps wistfull, too, at how small the world has
become. --Z

2. Such a wonderful book. I enjoyed every word. But I still don't understand how he slept in
that so-called tent. --Virginia W.

3. A writer who transmits resolve, creativity, ingenuity and determination. --Dave S.

4. Can you include some photographs in the next printing? I know it costs a lot, but I was
longing for them. --Carol N.

5. I've only finished two books in my entire life: The Red Badge of Courage and One More
Horizon. --Mike C.

6. Jack Hunter, the author who reviewed the book on the back cover. It says he wrote the
book Blue Max. Was the movie Blue Max with George Prepard based on his book? --Scott H.
--Yes (from the author.)

7. I would rank this book up there with Endurance as far as the sheer adventure of the
journey. By far, the best bicycle narrative yet written. --Lois S.

8. You have done a great job in persisting against the odds in this weird world of publishing.
After many years of trying to get published, I am going to try to put together a book of my
writings ... A thesis project for my Masters Degree. You are my inspiration. If you did it,
maybe I can too. Thank you. --Isobel O.

9. I just finished One More Horizon and WOW! It was a real page turner. And It's not just
one story but a wealth of stories. I especially enjoyed the telling of the experiences in India.
Scott Zamek is a true survivor, with much to offer the world. Thanks for sharing some of the
stories with us. Great book, and keep up the good work. --Chris D.

10. I read it twice. --Nick F.

11. I can't believe how wonderful this book is. Every sentence is a gem. Scott Zamek really
needs to begin another book. This book is polished to a fair-thee-well. --Louise S.

12. That was a fantastic journey. Thank you Scott. --Anon

13. Scott Zamek surpasses challenges that many explorers would envy. This story will stay
with you. Thank goodness he survived to tell it -- and with such style.
--D. J.

14. What a great book! I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I must compliment Scott Zamek on
capturing the emotions and sensations of his experiences so well. By Pakistan, I was pedaling
beside the author; that's how well he weaves a story!
--Silvia E.