• Distant Suns

  • Every Day an Adventure, Book 3
  • By: Sam Manicom
  • Narrated by: Sam Manicom
  • Length: 13 hrs and 11 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (102 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Distant Suns  By  cover art

Distant Suns

By: Sam Manicom
Narrated by: Sam Manicom
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $19.46

Buy for $19.46

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Sam Manicom's dynamic third book transports you to Southern Africa, South and Central America. Sam has a gift for describing the vibrancy of people and places, and you are led effortlessly through three very different parts of the world by his enthusiasm and his acute observations. Human behavior, drama, passion, disaster, humor, and the pure adrenaline buzz of overlanding such far-flung, wild and exotic places are all here.

This thought-provoking mix is brought alive by both his descriptive, which can make the mouth water or the hairs on the back of the neck crawl, and the historical tidbits and cultural notes about the people and places he visits. Distant Suns highlights the joys of traveling with others and how, when you are with others, you often do and see things you otherwise may not have done; but also touches on the added stress that comes with traveling in groups - even small groups.

Unlike his two previous books, Sam travels with a companion, Birgit, who you'll have met during the course of his previous book Under Asian Skies. Distant Suns is the story of how boy meets girl, both endowed with a mile-wide streak of wanderlust, and both fiercely independent, but learning to live together on the road, and saving each other's lives on occasion. Birgit catches your attention right away with her incredible initiative and capability with her bike. Yet, she'd only been riding a bike for 600 miles when they arrived in Kenya at the beginning of this journey.

Sam and Birgit's adventures are never without peril, but the attitude they have is what makes them terrific world travelers. Over the course of three years, a lot of things can and do go wrong, but Sam and Birgit don't let any of them stop them from completing their journey. When Paul Theroux wrote, "Take the leap. Go as far as you can. Try staying out of touch. Become a stranger in a strange land," he could have been describing Distant Suns.

©2008 Sam H.N. Manicom (P)2016 Sam N.H. Manicom

More from the same

What listeners say about Distant Suns

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    83
  • 4 Stars
    18
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    82
  • 4 Stars
    11
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    78
  • 4 Stars
    15
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another fascinating journey!

Where does Distant Suns rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Distant Suns ranks in the top 10% of audiobooks I own. The book, on it's own, was quite interesting. The Audiobook is read by the author which brings it to life.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the descriptions that catapulted my imagination to the locations visited. Manicom has a remarkable gift of filling one's senses with the sights, sounds and smells of the region. Beyond the vivid settings, the story told of joys, struggles, hardship, fascination and reflection. This time, Sam is joined by his partner Birgit, whom he met in Australia. This romance which began in "Under Asian Skies" has evolved to include Birgit on her own bike.

Which scene was your favorite?

Overlooking Machu Picchu, there is a moment of reflection for Sam which resonated deeply with me.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Several scenes described in this tale caused laughter. Most importanly, perhaps, "Distant Suns" left me in wonder and with a greater thirst to visit many of the locations described in this book.

Any additional comments?

Like "Into Africa" and "Under Asian Skies," "Distant Suns" will fill your imagination with wonders from some amazing regions of our world. The dynamic of Sam and Birgit making the journey adds a unique and welcome perspective. This symmetry also fills one's hope of traveling with a partner on expeditions, near and far.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love this book. Eagerly awaiting the next

Love Sam's travel books. I've listened to his others multiple times each. This is not just for folks that like motorcycle travel. Anyone who enjoys travel stories should enjoy this book as well. I really enjoy Sam's reading of the book. He has a very soothing voice that helps to make my long commutes in the car a lot more relaxing.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great motorcycle adventure book

I really like Sam Manicom's easy relaxed narration and writing style. It makes for a very enjoyable listen.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely brilliant!

Perfect for anyone who loves travel, or would love to travel. Amazingly descriptive, it feels like you are right there with Sam and Birgit as they face and overcome many challenges on their adventure. Whether you like motorbikes or not, you'll love this book!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Adventure

A great adventure. Told they way any travel adventure should be told- by the person who lived it. Like being along for the ride without the heat and the dust. May God keep you as you travel.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Great Trip through Two Continents!

The print version of this book was great. The audio version was mesmerizing and even better! Hearing Sam deliver the performance in his own voice provided a new wonderful experience of his journey. Highly recommended!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Happy Commuter

I spend approx 3 hrs each day commuting for work. Never have I ever looked forward to driving to work until I discovered Sam's books! Each one is just as captivating as the last! Thank you Sam!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

South America on motorcycle read by the author

Sam's continuing journey on motorcycle is brilliant and engaging! Having the author reading is fantastic!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

All around great adventure book.

This is an all around great adventure book for those that may be considering overland travel in Africa and/or South America, or for those who have the desire to embark on such an adventure but can only live such an adventure vicariously through the pages of the book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

One of the best motorcycle travel books

I love Sam. He's a great writer, a wonderful person and an excellent narrator.

Listening to this you will wonder why anyone would travel to these places and experience the mass frustration he experienced. But at the same time you understand.

He tells a wonderful tale and really draws you in as he explains things so perfectly. Be sure and listen/read his books in order lest you find yourself confused of what is going on.

Good job Sam!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!