Although I haven't finished every one of these essays, I've read the vast majority of them. I give the collection four stars on the whole, because a few of the tales are mediocre at best and a few are truly beautiful and outstanding. I like the fact that some are written by brand-new authors while others are by "famous" ones (and, as you might guess, some by the budding authors are better than those by the seasoned!) There is a fairly good variety of locales covered, though it's a bit light on t...

This book is a feel good read. A compilation of experiences of various travelers, a majority of them, published authors, who in the course of their travels, hitchhiking trips etc came across kindhearted people and acts . A sort of tribute to the goodness of humanity. Its mostly a light read, a mixed bag. While the introduction mentions that it is compilation of 26 stories from various travelers all over the world, a clear preference seems to be given to the writing quality - which of course need...

Did not finish. Mostly found it boring. Only managed about quarter of the book.

Recommended reading for backpacking travelers and others.When I first saw this title, I thought it would be about unknown people being kind and helping others out when in need. It was, but more specifically about travelers in need- and usually shoestring travelers at that.Several of the stories were quite memorable: the story about an accident in Turkey and the final entry come to mind particularly.On the other hand, a few stories were out-and-out disturbing. A couple of women writers told of un...

"Kindness and compassion are among the principal values that make our lives meaningful. They are a source of lasting happiness and joy. They are the foundation of a good heart, the heart of one who acts out of a desire to help others." - His Holiness the Dalai Lama This book is filled with essays from different people from all around the world describing the kind acts of strangers when they were in a time of need many are published authors, who when traveling came across kindhearted individuals....

Some stories were very intriguing and heartfelt, while others felt forced into the theme of the collection. Worth the read if you’re feeling the travel bug and want to imagine going on some ill-planned adventures.

Here are 26 traveler's tales by different authors. The best known is Dave Eggers, who tells a story about Cuba. Some of the authors make their published debut in the collection. Alice Waters and Pico Iyer are other famous names. Handy author bios appear at the end. It was published by Lonely Planet, the guidebook publisher, in 2016 altho all of the stories are copyrighted 2003.Many of the stories take place in the middle east and Africa. The tone of the tales varies a lot. Some are light or funn...

Liked: I love reading travel books because I feel like I get to know places without having to move. This book was great because it made me want to look around for someone traveling in my town and help them out.Did not like: At first you think "Ah, there are good people in the world" but then you realize that many of the stories are nice people saving the author of the story from threatening situations many of which are brought about by *bad* people. So its kind of a wash for humanity.

Amazing collection of travel essays. Easy to get lost in the words of each author.

Twenty six travel stories including the "Kindness of Strangers." I really have enjoyed all the Lonely Planet books I have read, including this one.

After reading some reviews, I had the understanding I’ve picked up a feel-good piece. This, however, wasn’t even a feel-good read - I was more like quiye pissed off or bored reading it. Here’s a cocktail of reasons what’s wrong with the book. 1) The first few essays were quite badly written. The authors spent a great deal of their piece apologizing for something, and ending with a vague summary of some thoughts about kindness. 2) The book lacks balance. At first, you finish a few stories about d...

I started reading this book while staying at a couple's farm while WOOFing for the weekend, and finished it while visiting a friend's parents for Thanksgiving. I encountered the kindness of strangers while within a couple hours from home.This book takes this concept to the next level and has travelers around the world share their stories about the way their life intersected with the kindness of strangers. And this kindness has multiple facets: it can save your life and make you witness magical m...

Another reviewer made the astute observation that this collection of tales doesn't offer enough space for the reader to become acquainted with the characters and they didn't like this book. I found it delightful because I was introduced to skilled authors and a taste of their travel adventures. So while it's true that the stories are short, they reminded me that dusty corners of the globe are full of friendly natives and intrepid first world explorers who enjoy the same experiences I do. This is...

I really love short stories, and I have read short story anthologies in the past, but I struggled a little with this one because the stories were so short. Any time I start a story, it takes a while to wrap my mind around the setting, the characters and the voice. With this book, by the time I settled into the story, it ended, and I was sometimes loath to start the next one because of the work it would take to mentally get into the new setting, character and voice. That said, I have done quite a...

This was the perfect read for the world in 2017. A gentle reminder that behind every "these people" and "those people" are good hearted individuals. The intro by the Dalai Lama just sets it perfectly. The collection is dated, with many written before 9/11 so the Middle East stories have a different flavor to them. I've read some in other collections, or in the writers' own volumes, but overall a quick and enjoyable read. Heavy on Africa and the Middle East but I think that was reflective of the

I have no idea when or how I acquired this book, but it must have been quite some time ago. It's signed by the editor, Don George, with an inscription to some unknown fellow traveler. The Kindness of Strangers is a delightful collection of positive stories about travel. I highly recommend it to anyone who has wanderlust, particularly if you view travel as being a great way to connect with people from other places.. Each story is a quick read, so even ones that might not be as interesting go by q...

Some of the stories were great . . . but many were about travel in troubled areas of the world or just troubled neighborhoods and I wondered why the traveler was so set on stupidly rushing headlong into danger.It's always hard to rate a volume of short stories. There were some real gems in this collection. Others were maddening in some way or another. Too many ended without endings, leaving you hanging. That's my number 1 pet peeve with contemporary writing. I'm perhaps too old school, and want

What a disappointingly disjointed collection of stories. "Kindness" apparently does not make for a very good writing prompt. Most of these stories should have never seen the light of day. Some I downright hated. I'm thinking particularly of the truly horrible "Andean High", though "Egg Child" and numerous others made me throw up in my mouth a little as well.There were two, I repeat, TWO stories that were very good and those are the last two stories in the collection - "Might be your lucky day" a...

I absolutely expected to love this book, but with an uneven collection of stories and an overall tone that lacks the sentimentality that one should expect from a collection of stories about the kindness of strangers it's a book that falls within the middling range almost solely because a handful of the experiences do manage to be somewhat enchanting and transformative. For the most part, this feels like a more matter-of-fact collection and it seems like most of the writers are waxing eloquently

I wanted to really enjoy this book, but I simply didn't. The idea of these travel stories--being in a far away place, alone, with the world simultaneously at your fingertips and lurking dangerously over your shoulder--was alluring, but the stories themselves were a little too everyday, a little too mundane. I think this would have made a better audiobook, perhaps, as these sorts of stories are best told between friends. 2/5 - would recommend to a certain type of reader.

I enjoyed most of these travel stories, though I don't think any will really stick with me. However, the stories were mostly uplifting, a few were scary, something I needed. The small volume was easy to carry in my bag and read in fits and spurts, mostly as I sat in the hospital or ate meals. Many of the locales were exotic to me, places I will likely never visit, so that also added interest in some of the stories. I was not familiar with many of the writers.

Great stories Anyone who travels whether it's a mile from home or thousands can relate to these stories. From lending a helping hand to saving their life these stories show real people at the mercy of complete strangers. I enjoyed the book very much and purchased a hard copy of it to pass along - perhaps to a stranger someday.

What the world needs now...is kindness born of caring, even from strangers. I loved this anthology of stories; I felt present in each well-written story, and as touched and as grateful as the recipients of such unexpected kinship, hospitality, help, and affection. If you’re looking for an uplifting book to revive your faith in the selfless goodness of humanity, this is your next read.

It’s a collection of short stories around a common theme “kindness”. Every story is based in a different country or time and how random acts of kindness from strangers was received when someone most needed it or least expected! Some stories are mediocre at best but some are outstanding. Its a perfect light eat for anyone who likes short stories

One or two essays can light up a bad day! The stories bring in very positive vibe and most of them are written very nicely. This would make a nice podcast series too. I think that podcast series would be more accessible than reading the book itself.I haven't finished this book, and I'm afraid I can't finish every single essay. But I will definitely reach to this one again.

One of the main reasons I travel is to interact with the local people. I really enjoyed reading these stories about experiences with strangers while traveling. I could probably write my own book containing similar stories. These stories really made me miss traveling right now in 2020. I can't wait to get back out in the world and have more amazing experiences of kindness with strangers!

An inspirational collection of true short stories about people encountering the kindness of strangers while traveling. The stories were well written, uplifting, interesting and diverse. I really enjoyed this book. It will restore your faith in humanity! I highly recommend it!

Very easy reading.This book opens your mind to the stereotypes associated with some countries, as well as the so called disturbances and dangers, and makes you think more openly about the people who live there.

Oh it’s a joy to read of travels when traveling. I enjoyed about 90% of these stories and the good thing about short story collections is that they all end. What a great remind to trust and always be kind to strangers.

So sweet, and yet sometimes these stories felt surreal in today’s “you can’t trust anyone” world. Perhaps I have not traveled enough, but hopefully as I continue to visit new places I will find the kindness of such strangers- and better yet, trust the overwhelming goodness of humanity.