The First Mile S1 Ep 2 Levison Wood
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“Last night, after a particularly long day of mask-clad teaching, followed by a departmental History meeting and a research webinar, I decided to reward myself with an early night and some easy listening as an antidote to stress. I settled on the second instalment of @PipStewart's and @AshBhardwaj's podcast series The Last Mile and I wasn't disappointed. This episode features the award-winning author, photographer and explorer ( although he himself is quite circumspect in his use of the term) Levison Wood. Those of you already familiar with his work will know that his books and travel documentaries tracing journeys across the Himalayas, walking the length of the Nile, exploring the geographical and cultural diversity of the Arabian peninsula or following the annual elephant migration to the Okavango Delta in Botswana have opened up what remains for many of us an unencountered world or worlds. In the course of a very revealing interview that has the intimate feel of a chat among friends, Wood details his career trajectory over the past ten years since he left the Parachute Regiment in 2010, a decision partly informed by a strange turn of fate the result of a broken leg and a missed opportunity to proceed to Special Forces selection in the British Army.
In a very wide-ranging and comprehensive conversation, Wood characterises his philosophy of travel in terms of a 'positive outlook' and a 'faith in human nature'. He describes his commitment to tell stories of humanity while also challenging what might be preconceived ideas about places that often feature negatively in mainstream media. He says that his work is also underpinned by a desire to capture a sense of change in the world which is always occurring. I was very struck by the generous attitude of the man which emerges in the course of the discussion. Prompted by his two very astute interviewers, Wood goes on to point out that his early adventures in travel as a student and on the shoestring budget of the backpacker were made possible because of the kindness and hospitality of strangers. He foregrounds the importance of simply being a decent human being and how that universal affability is what endears us to people we don't know and opens up possibilities and opportunities. Many lessons that can be applied to life in general are scattered throughout the conversation and we are reminded of the value of sheer determination and persistence. The impression of the man that emerges is of one who has an unflappable and admirable degree of self-belief even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. It is hard not to be inspired by Wood's drive and positivity. Perhaps what surprises me most about the interview is the quite self-deprecating attitude he demonstrates side by side with an impressive sense of confidence. He comments, for example, that he lacks formal training as either photographer or writer and yet his highly successful travel writing and the recently published Encounters are clear evidence of a wonderfully keen talent for description and ability to conjure up a real immediacy of experience with the incisiveness of the artist's eye.
Towards the end of the interview, Levison Wood (having barely paused for breath) alludes to some of the sources of his own literary imagination. He mentions the great travel writers of the Victorian era but I was really struck by his reference to Homer the father of travel writing. I could not help but think of Keats who on discovering the wonder of Homer's epics through Chapman's translation reflected on how we too through the vicarious pleasure of reading great travel literature might also feel like "a stout Cortez when with eagle eyes he stared at the Pacific and all his men looked at each other with a wild surmise-Silent, upon a peak in Darien".
While a global pandemic restricts all of us, confining our exploration of the world to words and images, I recommend the work of Levison Wood for a very necessary and evocative albeit vicarious glimpse into our wonderful and fragile world. Another brilliant travel offering from @PipStewart and @AshBhardwaj. Looking forward to many more entertaining and interesting conversations.”Read full review »
Ursula Murphy via Apple Podcasts ·
Ireland ·
11/12/20
More reviews of The First Mile
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“… and not in a romantic way😏 Great interview, especially the honest answers about life as an adventurer/ storyteller. Its good to hear that you all struggle now and then. If not with the ideas that come up at once, then, realistically, with the time/ money balance. Personally I think that makes...”Read full review »
SKAzur via Apple Podcasts ·
Germany ·
02/08/22
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“Interesting insight to a life of a travel journalist and writer , enjoying the podcasts would of got 5 out of 5 just needs to be a bit more light hearted otherwise a enjoyable listen”
Fanboy2001 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
11/07/20
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“I am so enjoying these podcasts, especially since they seem to be created just for me - I was already half way through one of Monisha’s books, and am researching the Annapurnas for a future trip!
The podcasts are really easy to listen to, interesting and insightful. Highly recommend to anyone...”Read full review »
Jas1069 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
11/09/20
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