Prologue: ‘A Romantic, gallant and even brilliant adventure’
1 The intention of a tradition: Definitions of hitchhiking
2 How to think like a hitchhiker: An introduction to vagabond
sociology
3 In search of Woody Guthrie: Singing the politics of
hitchhiking
4 ‘Maybe we will meet a nice person’: Hitchhiking, conflict, human
nature
5 The great European adventure trail: Hitchhiking as a measure of
freedom
6 The Alaska Highway hitchhiker’s visitor’s book: The personality
of the ‘extreme hitchhiker’
7 The power of the gift without return: Hitchhiking as economic
allegory
8 The myth of the great decline: Hitchhiking and the increasing
levels of trust in the world
9 Climatic dangers: Hitchhiking and the relative realities of
risk
10 Good news from Vilnius: The rich life of hitchhiking in former
communist countries
11 A prescription for hitchhiking? Travel and talk in the age of
pandemics and extinction
Afterword: The bookcase at the end of the road
Acknowledgments: A hitchhiker’s guide to the journey
Notes
Bibliography
Jonathan Purkis is an independent writer and academic.
'This book is an ambitious, comprehensive and fascinating
celebration of the righteous pursuit of hitchhiking. I hope it
inspires new hitchers and convinces uncertain readers.'
Amy Liptrot, author of The Outrun
'A marvelous, profound look at the art of hitchhiking: it is a
journeying, questing book, opening up avenues of exploration,
following curiosity-paths, creating networks of thoughts and
discursive, fascinating politics. This is a book with a world
within its covers: I am richer for having read it.'
Jay Griffiths, writer and author of Wild: An Elemental Journey
'At a time when cultivating human connection has never been more
important, Driving with strangers is a wonderful tribute to the
great art of hitchhiking and what it can teach us. Purkis takes us
on a fascinating journey and opens up worlds of wisdom, story, and
possibility. This is a captivating book that pays tribute to the
remarkable power of the thumb to connect humanity.'
Ruairí McKiernan, Irish Times No. 1 bestselling author of Hitching
for Hope: A Journey into the Heart and Soul of Ireland
'The hope expressed in Driving with Strangers is that the
continuing presence of young hitchhikers – long before middle age
when most of us, including Purkis himself, appear to give it up –
and others who share their general outlook means an alternative
future remains possible. Though the capacity-building and political
re-imagining that Purkis would like to see emerge seems almost
unrealisable in these conflictual and alienating times, we should
not forget the mutuality and generosity that were brought to the
forefront of everyday life during the COVID-19 pandemic. If that
could be harnessed in a political movement, we might even find
ourselves hitchhiking again.'
Professor Tim Newburn, LSE Review of Books
'Whether you are a scholar or a (former) hitchhiker, I reckon it
will be difficult for you not to like Jonathan Purkis' book.'
Patrick Laviolette, Sociology
'From the emotion of the first ever "thumb out" experience and the
immediate discovery of all manner of life on the road, through to
the fascinating unfolding history of how hitching has ebbed and
flowed through the decades. Crossing continents, political
time-zones and yesteryear travel scenes, this delightful narrative
continues through to today’s world of technology dominated travel
environments. On the basis that travel will always be a force for
good, enhanced by direct human communications, Jonathan Purkis’
commentary, observations and stories will remain travel relevant
for further decades to come. A cracking read and wonderful
journey.'
Jono Vernon-Powell, Founder and Managing Director, Nomadic Thoughts
(Worldwide Travel)
'Purkis sees hitchhiking as a symbol of an alternative economic
system and more sensible way of interacting between people than the
doomed conditions that now prevail.'
Svenska Dagbladet
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