"First published in French under the titles Journal d'Aran et d'autres lieux, Voyage dans les Lowlands and Thesaurus Pauperus ou la guerre à huit ans"--Title page verso.

Aran journal -- Scotland: travels in the Lowlands -- In the mists of the Whisky Isle -- Xian -- The roads to Halla-San or The old shit-track again -- An eight-year-old's war -- About the author.

A collection of Bouvier's best travel stories, covering: the Aran Isles, lowland Scotland, Islay, Xian in China, Korea and Bouvier's childhood What makes Nicolas Bouvier such a well-loved travel writer is his exquisite sensitivity to the beauties of life, and his ability to capture those elusive moments in a style that is light, yet pregnant with wonder. Whether he's delirious in the wintery Aran Isles, where the air 'unites the virtues of champagne, cocaine, caffeine, and the ecstasy of love' or singing the praises of his Chinese tour guide, this collection of his shorter travel pieces brims with his particular joie de vivre.

Translated from the French.