Travel is a frame of mind as much as it is an activity. You can cover continents and see little; you can stay home and experience wonders. Stephen King once wrote that, “books are a uniquely portable magic,” but that’s not the whole story. They’re also a uniquely magical means of transport. Not everyone is fortunate enough to wander the globe full time, so in the interest of well-traveled minds, we’ve put together an interactive map of 20 adventure books.   

Click on a route to learn more about it. We gently suggest viewing in full screen.

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'; flightPaths = {}; // Moby-Dick var mobyDickCoordinates = [ {lat: 40.781, lng: -73.965}, // Manhattan Island {lat: 41.018, lng: -73.634}, {lat: 41.106, lng: -73.420}, {lat: 41.301, lng: -72.911}, {lat: 41.374, lng: -72.192}, {lat: 41.375, lng: -71.912}, {lat: 41.512, lng: -71.692}, {lat: 41.650, lng: -71.610}, {lat: 41.671, lng: -71.480}, {lat: 41.820, lng: -71.414}, // Providence {lat: 41.818, lng: -71.381}, {lat: 41.765, lng: -71.237}, {lat: 41.681, lng: -71.121}, {lat: 41.636, lng: -70.934}, // New Bedford {lat: 41.636, lng: -70.914}, {lat: 41.573, lng: -70.864}, {lat: 41.517, lng: -70.676}, {lat: 41.299, lng: -70.101}, {lat: 41.291, lng: -70.087}, {lat: 41.282, lng: -70.099}, // Nantucket {lat: 41.291, lng: -70.087}, {lat: 41.296, lng: -70.094}, {lat: 41.301, lng: -70.096}, {lat: 41.396, lng: -70.051}, {lat: 39.309, lng: -32.894}, {lat: 38.700, lng: -30.458}, // Azores {lat: 36.783, lng: -28.133}, {lat: 15.910, lng: -26.516}, // Cape de Verde {lat: -10.737, lng: -27.431}, {lat: -23.236, lng: -35.600}, {lat: -34.151, lng: -52.065}, {lat: -35.591, lng: -55.906}, // Mouth of the Rio de la Plata {lat: -35.759, lng: -55.162}, {lat: -35.621, lng: -54.239}, {lat: -16.252, lng: -8.310}, {lat: -16.310, lng: -5.709}, // St. Helena {lat: -17.557, lng: -3.605}, {lat: -34.948, lng: 18.050}, // Cape Town {lat: -45.009, lng: 45.832}, {lat: -45.710, lng: 51.210}, // Crozet Islands {lat: -44.729, lng: 58.708}, {lat: -39.699, lng: 67.402}, {lat: -6.535, lng: 105.086}, {lat: -5.912, lng: 105.831}, // Sunda Strait {lat: 3.518, lng: 109.506}, {lat: 19.758, lng: 119.645}, // Batanes Islands {lat: 21.702, lng: 121.767}, {lat: 30.811, lng: 146.917}, // Japanese fishing grounds {lat: 10.626, lng: 172.898} // Fin. ]; flightPaths.mobyDick = newJourney( mobyDickCoordinates, '#4A4A4A', 'Moby-Dick - Herman Melville', '

Published 1851

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Words: 217,440

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Km per word: 0.192

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Countries visited: 3

' ); // Tracks var tracksCoordinates = [ {lat: -23.685, lng: 132.672},// Glen Helen tourist camp {lat: -23.592, lng: 132.515},// Redbank Gorge {lat: -24.073, lng: 132.269},// Areyonga {lat: -24.478, lng: 132.592},// Tempe Downs {lat: -25.300, lng: 130.737},// Olga {lat: -24.874, lng: 129.0836},// Docker River {lat: -26.0644, lng: 128.931},// Wingellinna {lat: -26.663, lng: 129.375},// Pipalyatjara {lat: -26.135, lng: 126.578},// Warburton {lat: -25.796, lng: 122.951},// Carnegie {lat: -25.274, lng: 122.027},// Glenayle {lat: -25.101, lng: 121.365},// Well no. 9 {lat: -25.25, lng: 121.100},// Well no. 6 {lat: -26.029, lng: 120.112},// Cunyu {lat: -25.283, lng: 116.199},// Dalgety Downs {lat: -26.175, lng: 114.808},// Woodleigh {lat: -26.200, lng: 114.198}// Hamelin Pool ]; flightPaths.tracks = newJourney( tracksCoordinates, '#497241', 'Tracks - Robyn Davidson', '

Published 1980

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Words: 70,905

'+ '

Km per word: 0.033

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Countries visited: 1

' ); // Xuanzang var xuanzangCoordinates = [ {lat: 34.341, lng: 108.939},// Chang an {lat: 37.928, lng: 102.642},// Wuwei {lat: 40.520, lng: 95.782},// An-hsi {lat: 42.818, lng: 93.515},// Hami {lat: 42.951, lng: 89.189},// Turfan {lat: 42.062, lng: 86.570},// Karashahr {lat: 41.631, lng: 82.897},// Kucha {lat: 41.167, lng: 80.263},// Aksu {lat: 42.822, lng: 75.317},// Tokmok {lat: 41.299, lng: 69.240},// Tashkent {lat: 39.627, lng: 66.974},// Samarkand {lat: 36.728, lng: 68.868},// Kunduz {lat: 36.755, lng: 66.897},// Balkh {lat: 34.810, lng: 67.821},// Bamiyan {lat: 34.981, lng: 69.621},// Kapisa {lat: 34.419, lng: 70.472},// Nagaraha {lat: 34.015, lng: 71.524},// Peshawar {lat: 34.148, lng: 71.737},// Charsadda {lat: 35.222, lng: 72.425},// Mankiala {lat: 35.222, lng: 72.425},// Udyana {lat: 35.870, lng: 72.513},// Source of the Swat River {lat: 35.538, lng: 73.480},// Darel Valley {lat: 35.870, lng: 72.513},// Source of the Swat River {lat: 35.222, lng: 72.425},// Udyana {lat: 35.222, lng: 72.425},// Mankiala {lat: 34.016, lng: 72.433},// Hund {lat: 33.746, lng: 72.839},// Taxila {lat: 33.772, lng: 72.847},// Sirsukh {lat: 33.813, lng: 72.825},// Bhallar Stupa {lat: 33.772, lng: 72.847},// Sirsukh {lat: 34.083, lng: 74.797},// Srinager {lat: 30.933, lng: 74.622},// Chinabhutkti {lat: 31.964, lng: 77.115},// Kulu Valley {lat: 27.430, lng: 76.189},// Bairata {lat: 27.492, lng: 77.673},// Mathura {lat: 30.142, lng: 77.355},// Srughna {lat: 28.594, lng: 78.271},// Matipura {lat: 27.334, lng: 79.270},// Sankasya {lat: 26.460, lng: 80.360},// Kanyakubja {lat: 26.787, lng: 82.198},// Ayodhya {lat: 25.506, lng: 81.427},// Kausambi {lat: 26.787, lng: 82.198},// Ayodhya {lat: 27.503, lng: 82.036},// Sravasti {lat: 27.517, lng: 82.049},// Angulimala Stupa {lat: 27.654, lng: 82.993},// Kapilavastu {lat: 27.679, lng: 83.507},// Lumbini {lat: 26.739, lng: 83.886},// Kushinagara (Kasia) {lat: 25.376, lng: 83.022},// Sarnath {lat: 25.683, lng: 85.354},// Vaisali {lat: 25.594, lng: 85.137},// Patailputra (Patna) {lat: 24.696, lng: 84.986},// Bodh Gaya {lat: 25.124, lng: 85.459},// Nalanda {lat: 25.170, lng: 86.486},// Kingdom of Irana {lat: 23.044, lng: 90.070},// Samatata {lat: 26.200, lng: 92.937},// Assam {lat: 23.044, lng: 90.070},// Samatata {lat: 22.278, lng: 87.918},// Tamrallipti {lat: 21.008, lng: 84.938},// South Kosala {lat: 16.757, lng: 81.679},// Andhra {lat: 16.506, lng: 80.648},// Bezwada {lat: 16.575, lng: 80.356},// Amaravati Stupa {lat: 15.828, lng: 78.037},// Kurnool {lat: 14.651, lng: 79.320},// Pallavolu {lat: 12.834, lng: 79.703},// Kanchipuram {lat: 16.265, lng: 75.084},// tidying {lat: 19.997, lng: 73.789},// Nasik {lat: 20.551, lng: 75.703},// Ajanta {lat: 21.705, lng: 72.995},// Bharuch {lat: 22.768, lng: 73.131},// Malva {lat: 21.720, lng: 70.758},// Kathiawar Peninsula {lat: 30.157, lng: 71.524},// Multan {lat: 33.723, lng: 72.803},// Taxila -- {lat: 34.015, lng: 71.524}, // Peshawar {lat: 34.419, lng: 70.472}, // Jalalabad {lat: 34.981, lng: 69.621}, // Kapisa {lat: 34.810, lng: 67.821}, // Bamiyan {lat: 36.755, lng: 66.897}, // Balkh {lat: 36.728, lng: 68.868}, // Kunduz {lat: 37.101, lng: 70.555}, // Feyzabad {lat: 37.772, lng: 75.229}, // Tashkurghan {lat: 39.467, lng: 75.993}, // Kashgar {lat: 37.114, lng: 79.922}, // Hotan {lat: 37.067, lng: 82.696}, // Niya {lat: 38.145, lng: 85.529}, // Qiemo {lat: 39.024, lng: 88.166}, // Ruoqiang {lat: 40.142, lng: 94.661},// Dunhuang {lat: 40.520, lng: 95.782},// An-hsi -- {lat: 37.928, lng: 102.642},// Wuwei {lat: 34.341, lng: 108.939} // Chang'an ]; flightPaths.xuanzang = newJourney( xuanzangCoordinates, '#934CEE', 'Great Tang Records on the Western Regions - Xuanzang', '

Published 646

'+ '

Words: 129,930

'+ '

Km per word: 0.163

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Countries visited: 7

' ); // The Alchemist var theAlchemistCoordinates = [ {lat: 36.014, lng: -5.604},// Tarifa {lat: 35.759, lng: -5.833},// Tangier {lat: 34.226, lng: -4.154}, {lat: 30.684, lng: 4.033}, {lat: 28.776, lng: 21.083}, {lat: 29.461, lng: 30.398},// Faiyum Oasis {lat: 29.977, lng: 31.132}// The Pyramids ]; flightPaths.theAlchemist = newJourney( theAlchemistCoordinates, '#DD7600', 'The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho', '

Published 1988

'+ '

Words: 61,661

'+ '

Km per word: 0.061

'+ '

Countries visited: 5

' ); // The Sheltering Sky var theShelteringSkyCoordinates = [ {lat: 35.697, lng: -0.630},// Oran {lat: 35.889, lng: 3.148},// Boussif {lat: 35.627, lng: 3.220}, {lat: 35.448, lng: 2.907}, {lat: 35.241, lng: 3.000}, {lat: 34.894, lng: 3.065}, {lat: 34.226, lng: 2.400},// Ain Krorfa {lat: 32.463, lng: 3.601},// Bou Noura {lat: 30.599, lng: 2.887},// El Gaa {lat: 27.192, lng: 2.485},// Sba {lat: 20.257, lng: 0.991},// Tessalit {lat: 35.667, lng: -0.630}// Oran ]; flightPaths.theShelteringSky = newJourney( theShelteringSkyCoordinates, '#3C81FF', 'The Sheltering Sky - Paul Bowles', '

Published 1949

'+ '

Words: 103,284

'+ '

Km per word: 0.038

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Countries visited: 2

' ); // Lonesome Dove var lonesomeDoveCoordinates = [ {lat: 27.506, lng: -99.484},// Lonesome Dove {lat: 29.426, lng: -98.490},// San Antonio {lat: 30.268, lng: -97.804},// Austin {lat: 37.752, lng: -100.017},// Dodge City {lat: 41.128, lng: -101.720},// Ogallala {lat: 46.408, lng: -105.840},// Miles City {lat: 47.786, lng: -105.733},// Milk River Ranch {lat: 46.408, lng: -105.940},// Miles City {lat: 41.128, lng: -101.860},// Ogallala {lat: 39.739, lng: -104.990},// Denver {lat: 38.259, lng: -104.609}, {lat: 36.896, lng: -104.434}, {lat: 34.938, lng: -104.682},// Santa Rosa {lat: 30.268, lng: -97.904},// Austin {lat: 29.426, lng: -98.590},// San Antonio {lat: 27.506, lng: -99.489}// Lonesome Dove ]; flightPaths.lonesomeDove = newJourney( lonesomeDoveCoordinates, '#FC6076', 'Lonesome Dove - Larry McMurtry', '

Published 1985

'+ '

Words: 240,030

'+ '

Km per word: 0.022

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Countries visited: 1

' ); // Heart of Darkness var heartofDarknessCoordinates = [ {lat: -6.141, lng: 12.352},// Outer station {lat: -6.075, lng: 12.819}, {lat: -5.930, lng: 13.359}, {lat: -4.919, lng: 14.674},// Central Station {lat: -4.281, lng: 15.302}, {lat: -4.062, lng: 15.535}, {lat: -3.948, lng: 15.897}, {lat: -3.294, lng: 16.212}, {lat: -2.162, lng: 16.199}, {lat: -1.144, lng: 17.000}, {lat: -1.040, lng: 17.286}, {lat: 0.0689, lng: 18.209}, {lat: 0.927, lng: 18.404}, {lat: 1.649, lng: 19.236}, {lat: 1.996, lng: 20.455}, {lat: 2.155, lng: 22.411}, {lat: 1.848, lng: 23.032}, {lat: 1.141, lng: 23.620}, {lat: 1.078, lng: 23.896}, {lat: 0.953, lng: 24.161}, {lat: 0.747, lng: 24.344}, {lat: 0.746, lng: 24.544}, {lat: 0.575, lng: 24.769}, {lat: 0.560, lng: 25.047}, {lat: 0.507, lng: 25.146}// Inner station ]; flightPaths.heartofDarkness = newJourney( heartofDarknessCoordinates, '#000000', 'Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad', '

Published 1899

'+ '

Words: 56,776

'+ '

Km per word: 0.035

'+ '

Countries visited: 1

' ); // Around the World in 80 Days var eightyDaysCoordinates = [ {lat: 51.506, lng: -0.133}, // Reform Club {lat: 51.127, lng: 1.323}, // Dover {lat: 50.956, lng: 1.868}, // Calais {lat: 50.639, lng: 3.075}, // Lille {lat: 49.114, lng: 2.719}, {lat: 48.880, lng: 2.355}, // Paris (Gare de Nord) {lat: 48.844, lng: 2.374}, // Paris (Gare de Lyon) {lat: 45.760, lng: 4.861}, // Lyon {lat: 45.564, lng: 5.917}, {lat: 45.070, lng: 7.686}, // Turin {lat: 45.485, lng: 9.204}, {lat: 44.505, lng: 11.343}, {lat: 43.942, lng: 12.457}, {lat: 42.469, lng: 14.203}, {lat: 41.465, lng: 15.553}, {lat: 40.632, lng: 17.941}, // Brindisi {lat: 40.372, lng: 18.594}, {lat: 37.215, lng: 20.335}, {lat: 34.402, lng: 24.147}, {lat: 31.539, lng: 32.231}, {lat: 31.274, lng: 32.328}, // Port Said {lat: 29.925, lng: 32.553}, // Suez {lat: 29.116, lng: 32.761}, {lat: 12.200, lng: 43.698}, {lat: 11.863, lng: 44.110}, {lat: 11.809, lng: 44.522}, {lat: 12.785, lng: 45.018}, {lat: 19.075, lng: 72.877}, // Bombay {lat: 25.435, lng: 81.846}, {lat: 22.572, lng: 88.363}, // Calcutta {lat: 21.592, lng: 87.885}, {lat: 13.549, lng: 94.394}, {lat: 2.671, lng: 100.997}, {lat: 1.104, lng: 103.601}, {lat: 1.327, lng: 104.364}, {lat: 2.664, lng: 107.067}, {lat: 22.283, lng: 114.158}, // Victoria, Hong Kong {lat: 21.912, lng: 116.174}, {lat: 24.886, lng: 120.179}, {lat: 29.707, lng: 123.101}, {lat: 30.987, lng: 122.546}, {lat: 31.230, lng: 121.473}, // Shanghai {lat: 30.902, lng: 130.657}, {lat: 31.212, lng: 131.783}, {lat: 34.511, lng: 138.891}, {lat: 35.160, lng: 139.749}, {lat: 35.315, lng: 139.759}, {lat: 35.443, lng: 139.638}, // Yokohama {lat: 35.315, lng: 139.759}, {lat: 35.160, lng: 139.749}, {lat: 34.942, lng: 139.700}, {lat: 34.813, lng: 139.923}, {lat: 37.774, lng: -122.419}, // San Francisco {lat: 37.808, lng: -122.309}, // Oakland {lat: 37.827, lng: -122.291}, {lat: 37.840, lng: -122.292}, {lat: 37.895, lng: -122.309}, {lat: 37.920, lng: -122.331}, {lat: 37.936, lng: -122.353}, // Richmond {lat: 38.543, lng: -121.737}, // Davis {lat: 38.584, lng: -121.500}, // Sacramento {lat: 38.750, lng: -121.286}, // Roseville {lat: 39.099, lng: -120.952}, // Colfax {lat: 39.327, lng: -120.185}, // Truckee {lat: 39.528, lng: -119.811}, // Reno {lat: 40.968, lng: -117.732}, // Winnemucca {lat: 40.836, lng: -115.750}, // Elko {lat: 40.761, lng: -111.908}, // Salt Lake City {lat: 41.895, lng: -106.204}, // Medicine Bow {lat: 41.252, lng: -95.997}, // Omaha {lat: 41.056, lng: -94.361}, // Creston {lat: 41.037, lng: -93.764}, // Osceola {lat: 41.018, lng: -92.414}, // Ottumwa {lat: 40.971, lng: -91.550}, // Mt. Pleasant {lat: 40.805, lng: -91.101}, {lat: 40.889, lng: -90.467}, {lat: 40.944, lng: -90.363}, // Galesburg {lat: 41.385, lng: -89.466}, // Princeton {lat: 41.779, lng: -88.145}, // Naperville {lat: 41.878, lng: -87.629}, // Chicago {lat: 41.772, lng: -87.630}, {lat: 41.609, lng: -87.431}, {lat: 41.595, lng: -86.931}, {lat: 41.707, lng: -86.546}, {lat: 41.678, lng: -86.287}, // South Bend {lat: 41.680, lng: -85.971}, // Elkhart {lat: 41.431, lng: -85.025}, // Waterloo {lat: 41.638, lng: -83.541}, // Toledo {lat: 41.440, lng: -82.718}, // Sandusky {lat: 41.370, lng: -82.096}, // Elyria {lat: 41.505, lng: -81.696}, // Cleveland {lat: 40.921, lng: -81.092}, // Alliance {lat: 40.444, lng: -79.992}, // Pittsburgh {lat: 40.304, lng: -79.546}, // Greensburg {lat: 40.514, lng: -78.401}, // Altoona {lat: 40.483, lng: -78.011}, // Huntingdon {lat: 40.0195, lng: -75.621}, // Exton {lat: 40.042, lng: -75.483}, // Paoli {lat: 40.218, lng: -74.754}, // Trenton {lat: 40.734, lng: -74.164}, // Newark Penn {lat: 40.750, lng: -73.993}, // New York City {lat: 40.767, lng: -73.996}, // NYC ship terminal {lat: 40.767, lng: -74.008}, {lat: 40.629, lng: -74.057}, {lat: 40.519, lng: -73.990}, {lat: 40.400, lng: -73.380}, {lat: 51.310, lng: -9.236}, {lat: 51.718, lng: -8.243}, {lat: 51.838, lng: -8.274}, {lat: 51.850, lng: -8.294}, // Cobh {lat: 51.848, lng: -8.300}, // Cobh railway station {lat: 53.346, lng: -6.294}, // Dublin Heuston {lat: 53.351, lng: -6.274}, {lat: 53.349, lng: -6.197}, // Dublin ship terminal {lat: 53.465, lng: -4.699}, {lat: 53.443, lng: -3.005}, // Liverpool ship terminal {lat: 53.404, lng: -2.980}, // Liverpool railway station {lat: 51.528, lng: -0.133}, // Euston Station {lat: 51.506, lng: -0.133} // Reform club ]; flightPaths.eightyDays = newJourney( eightyDaysCoordinates, '#ed4efc', 'Around the World in 80 Days - Jules Verne', '

Published 1873

'+ '

Words: 76,104

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Km per word: 0.518

'+ '

Countries visited: 11

' ); // On the Road var ontheRoadCoordinates = [ {lat: 40.916, lng: -74.171},//Paterson, New Jersey {lat: 40.726, lng: -74.011},//Holland Tunnel {lat: 41.056, lng: -75.322}, {lat: 40.986, lng: -76.719}, {lat: 41.066, lng: -78.466}, {lat: 41.152, lng: -80.675}, {lat: 41.213, lng: -80.710}, {lat: 41.748, lng: -80.710}, {lat: 41.865, lng: -80.789},//Ashtabula, Ohio {lat: 41.474, lng: -81.693}, {lat: 41.336, lng: -82.758}, {lat: 41.590, lng: -83.641}, {lat: 41.678, lng: -86.692}, {lat: 41.590, lng: -86.896}, {lat: 41.612, lng: -87.480}, {lat: 41.878, lng: -87.640},//Union Station, Chicago {lat: 41.525, lng: -88.081},//Joliet, Illinois {lat: 41.523, lng: -90.577},//Davenport, Iowa {lat: 41.661, lng: -91.530},//Iowa City, Iowa {lat: 41.600, lng: -93.609},//Des Moines, Iowa {lat: 41.614, lng: -94.017},//Adel, Iowa {lat: 41.503, lng: -94.318},//Stuart, Iowa {lat: 41.261, lng: -95.860},//Council Bluffs, Iowa {lat: 41.252, lng: -95.997},//Omaha, Nebraska {lat: 40.926, lng: -98.342},//Grand Island, Nebraska {lat: 40.779, lng: -98.730},//Shelton, Nebraska {lat: 40.927, lng: -100.160},//Gothenburg, Nebraska {lat: 41.140, lng: -100.760},//North Platte, Nebraska {lat: 41.128, lng: -101.720},//Ogallala, Nebraska {lat: 41.139, lng: -104.820},//Cheyenne, Wyoming {lat: 40.167, lng: -105.101},//Longmont, Colorado {lat: 39.789, lng: -104.990},//Denver, Colorado {lat: 41.095, lng: -105.199}, {lat: 41.703, lng: -107.756},//Creston, Wyoming {lat: 41.583, lng: -109.251}, {lat: 40.760, lng: -111.891},//Salt Lake City, Utah {lat: 40.745, lng: -114.101}, {lat: 41.077, lng: -114.567}, {lat: 41.085, lng: -115.262}, {lat: 40.635, lng: -116.945}, // Battle Mountain {lat: 40.657, lng: -116.958}, {lat: 41.026, lng: -117.588}, {lat: 40.875, lng: -117.937}, {lat: 40.683, lng: -118.061}, {lat: 40.604, lng: -118.248}, {lat: 39.613, lng: -119.218}, {lat: 39.529, lng: -119.813},//Reno, Nevada {lat: 39.327, lng: -120.183},//Truckee, California {lat: 39.297, lng: -120.673}, // Emigrant Gap {lat: 39.132, lng: -120.934}, {lat: 38.581, lng: -121.494},//Sacramento, California {lat: 37.827, lng: -122.295},//Oakland Bay Bridge, California {lat: 37.774, lng: -122.419},//San Francisco, California {lat: 37.859, lng: -122.485},//Sausalito, California {lat: 37.906, lng: -122.544},//Mill Valley, California {lat: 37.804, lng: -122.271},//Oakland, California {lat: 37.739, lng: -121.425},//Tracy, California {lat: 37.797, lng: -121.216},//Manteca, California {lat: 36.961, lng: -120.060},//Madera, California {lat: 36.746, lng: -119.77},//Fresno, California {lat: 35.373, lng: -119.018},//Bakersfield, California {lat: 33.925, lng: -118.273},//South Main Street, Los Angeles, California {lat: 34.099, lng: -118.326},//Sunset and Vine, Hollywood, California {lat: 34.101, lng: -118.333},//Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, California {lat: 34.065, lng: -117.201}, {lat: 33.927, lng: -116.979}, {lat: 33.922, lng: -116.679}, {lat: 33.720, lng: -116.215},//Indio, California {lat: 33.607, lng: -114.588},//Blythe, California {lat: 33.781, lng: -113.614},//Salome, Arizona {lat: 35.198, lng: -111.651},//Flagstaff, Arizona {lat: 36.059, lng: -102.513},//Dalhart, Texas {lat: 38.619, lng: -90.189},//St. Louis, Missouri {lat: 39.768, lng: -86.158},//Indianapolis, Indiana {lat: 39.961, lng: -82.998},//Columbus, Ohio {lat: 40.440, lng: -79.995},//Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania {lat: 40.273, lng: -76.886},//Harrisburg, Pennsylvania {lat: 40.608, lng: -75.490},//Allentown, Pennsylvania {lat: 40.758, lng: -73.985},//Times Square, New York City, New York {lat: 40.916, lng: -74.171}//Back in Paterson, New Jersey ]; flightPaths.ontheRoad = newJourney( ontheRoadCoordinates, '#2029a3', 'On the Road [Section I] - Jack Kerouac', '

Published 1957

'+ '

Words: 92,714

'+ '

Km per word: 0.103

'+ '

Countries visited: 1

' ); // Dracula var draculaCoordinates = [ {lat: 48.140, lng: 11.559},//Munich {lat: 48.185, lng: 16.376},//Vienna {lat: 47.500, lng: 19.084},//Budapest {lat: 46.784, lng: 23.586},//Cluj-Napoca {lat: 47.132, lng: 24.483},//Bistritz {lat: 47.280, lng: 25.024},//Borgo Pass {lat: 47.231, lng: 25.119}//Dracula's Castle ]; flightPaths.dracula = newJourney( draculaCoordinates, '#830303', 'Dracula - Bram Stoker', '

Published 1897

'+ '

Words: 154,696

'+ '

Km per word: 0.007

'+ '

Countries visited: 4

' ); // Don Quixote var donQuixoteCoordinates = [ {lat: 39.067, lng: -3.122},//Quixote's home {lat: 39.158, lng: -3.021},//Tomelloso {lat: 39.400, lng: -3.125},//Campo de Criptana {lat: 39.513, lng: -2.996},//El Toboso {lat: 39.603, lng: -2.826},//Los Hinojosos {lat: 39.557, lng: -2.705},//Belmonte {lat: 39.042, lng: -2.478},//Munera {lat: 38.692, lng: -2.695},//Villanueva de la Fuente {lat: 39.284, lng: -2.790},//Socuéllamos {lat: 39.483, lng: -2.744},//Pedernoso {lat: 39.728, lng: -2.414},//La Huojosa {lat: 40.358, lng: -2.395},//Canaveras {lat: 40.666, lng: -2.069},//Peñalén {lat: 40.754, lng: -1.998},//Fuembellida {lat: 41.114, lng: -1.414},//Daroca {lat: 41.556, lng: -0.685},//Northwest of Fuentes de Ebro {lat: 41.521, lng: 0.341},//Fraga {lat: 41.552, lng: 0.619},//South of Lerida {lat: 41.532, lng: 1.382},//Santa Coloma de Queralt {lat: 41.437, lng: 1.783},//San Sadurnt {lat: 41.385, lng: 2.173} //Barcelona ]; flightPaths.donQuixote = newJourney( donQuixoteCoordinates, '#00cc00', 'Don Quixote - Miguel de Cervantes', '

Published 1615

'+ '

Words: 308,946

'+ '

Km per word: 0.003

'+ '

Countries visited: 1

' ); // Candide var candideCoordinates = [ {lat: 51.433, lng: 7.661}, // Westphalia {lat: 52.370, lng: 4.895}, // Holland {lat: 52.656, lng: 5.448}, {lat: 53.373, lng: 4.957}, {lat: 53.456, lng: 4.686}, {lat: 53.409, lng: 4.188}, {lat: 50.562, lng: 1.049}, {lat: 50.346, lng: 0.610}, {lat: 49.410, lng: -4.449}, {lat: 48.516, lng: -5.987}, {lat: 44.040, lng: -10.074}, {lat: 43.011, lng: -10.432}, {lat: 38.610, lng: -9.540}, {lat: 38.589, lng: -9.138}, // Lisbon {lat: 38.604, lng: -8.471}, {lat: 38.429, lng: -7.903}, {lat: 37.135, lng: -6.101}, {lat: 36.527, lng: -6.288}, // Cadiz {lat: 29.611, lng: -17.660}, {lat: 28.304, lng: -18.544}, {lat: -18.062, lng: -34.650}, {lat: -27.449, lng: -41.967}, {lat: -35.668, lng: -54.861}, {lat: -34.603, lng: -58.381}, // Buenos Aires {lat: -23.442, lng: -58.443}, // Paraguay {lat: -3.381, lng: -63.028}, {lat: -2.240, lng: -62.666}, // El Dorado--> {lat: 2.767, lng: -58.634}, {lat: 5.846, lng: -55.207}, // Surinam {lat: 44.370, lng: -12.985}, {lat: 44.793, lng: -11.656}, {lat: 45.583, lng: -1.034}, {lat: 45.296, lng: -0.729}, {lat: 44.837, lng: -0.579}, // Bordeaux {lat: 48.856, lng: 2.352}, // Paris {lat: 49.922, lng: 1.077}, // Dieppe {lat: 50.819, lng: -1.087}, // Southampton {lat: 50.649, lng: -1.010}, {lat: 50.536, lng: -1.087}, {lat: 49.181, lng: -7.185}, {lat: 48.632, lng: -8.547}, {lat: 43.133, lng: -12.634}, {lat: 39.368, lng: -12.590}, {lat: 36.491, lng: -10.206}, {lat: 35.835, lng: -7.811}, {lat: 35.953, lng: -5.552}, // Strait of Gibralter {lat: 38.184, lng: 9.744}, {lat: 38.030, lng: 10.612}, {lat: 36.593, lng: 14.379}, {lat: 36.452, lng: 15.214}, {lat: 36.655, lng: 15.819}, {lat: 39.896, lng: 18.786}, {lat: 40.129, lng: 18.789}, {lat: 45.440, lng: 12.315}, // Venice {lat: 40.1788, lng: 19.194}, {lat: 35.995, lng: 21.511}, {lat: 36.597, lng: 25.949}, {lat: 39.850, lng: 25.680}, {lat: 41.008, lng: 28.978} // Constantinople ]; flightPaths.candide = newJourney( candideCoordinates, '#41C9CD', 'Candide - Voltaire', '

Published 1759

'+ '

Words: 38,958

'+ '

Km per word: 0.871

'+ '

Countries visited: 14

' ); // Robinson Crusoe var robinsonCrusoeCoordinates = [ {lat: 53.959, lng: -1.087},//York {lat: 53.745, lng: -0.336},//Hull {lat: 53.631, lng: -0.120}, {lat: 53.540, lng: 0.093}, {lat: 52.965, lng: 1.492}, {lat: 52.646, lng: 1.943}, {lat: 52.249, lng: 1.998}, {lat: 51.718, lng: 1.444}, {lat: 51.490, lng: 0.773}, // Mouth of the Thames {lat: 51.492, lng: 0.459}, {lat: 51.507, lng: -0.127},//London {lat: 51.492, lng: 0.459}, {lat: 51.490, lng: 0.773}, // Mouth of the Thames {lat: 51.402, lng: 1.511}, {lat: 50.970, lng: 1.471}, {lat: 49.060, lng: -5.275}, {lat: 43.246, lng: -10.551}, {lat: 40.498, lng: -11.606}, {lat: 37.284, lng: -10.332}, {lat: 34.043, lng: -6.811},//Salé {lat: 33.381, lng: -8.834}, {lat: 27.966, lng: -13.493}, {lat: 21.811, lng: -17.404}, {lat: 18.995, lng: -16.788}, {lat: 17.206, lng: -20.131}, {lat: 15.105, lng: -22.084}, {lat: 1.982, lng: -24.267}, {lat: -9.314, lng: -28.662}, {lat: -12.402, lng: -34.150}, {lat: -12.972, lng: -38.501},//Salvador {lat: -12.671, lng: -37.180}, {lat: -8.612, lng: -34.082}, {lat: -6.702, lng: -33.696}, {lat: -4.816, lng: -35.070}, {lat: 5.640, lng: -51.640}, {lat: 11.233, lng: -60.698},//Robinson Crusoe's island (Tobago) {lat: 38.722, lng: -9.139},//Lisbon {lat: 40.416, lng: -3.703},//Madrid {lat: 42.812, lng: -1.645},//Pampeluna {lat: 43.604, lng: 1.444},//Toulouse {lat: 48.848, lng: 2.294},//Paris {lat: 50.951, lng: 1.858},//Calais {lat: 51.127, lng: 1.313}//Dover ]; flightPaths.robinsonCrusoe = newJourney( robinsonCrusoeCoordinates, '#ff3300', 'Robinson Crusoe - Daniel Defoe', '

Published 1719

'+ '

Words: 96,640

'+ '

Km per word: 0.231

'+ '

Countries visited: 6

' ); // The Voyage of the Beagle var voyageoftheBeagleCoordinates = [ {lat: 50.363, lng: -4.150},//Plymouth {lat: 50.355, lng: -4.145}, {lat: 50.340, lng: -4.162}, {lat: 32.760, lng: -16.959},//Madeira Island {lat: 28.720, lng: -18.459},//Canary Islands {lat: 14.933, lng: -23.513},//Porto Praya {lat: 0.917, lng: -29.345},//St Peter and St Paul Rocks {lat: -3.844, lng: -32.426},//Fernando de Noronha {lat: -12.972, lng: -38.501},//Salvador {lat: -17.970, lng: -38.702},//Abrolhos Achipelago {lat: -22.906, lng: -43.172},//Rio de Janeiro {lat: -34.901, lng: -56.164},//Montevideo {lat: -38.718, lng: -62.266},//Bahia Blanco {lat:-47.751, lng: -65.901},//Port Desire {lat: -51.719, lng: -60.591},//Falkland Islands {lat: -51.573, lng: -61.446}, {lat: -52.487, lng: -68.436}, {lat: -52.406, lng: -69.434}, {lat: -52.571, lng: -69.667}, {lat: -52.746, lng: -70.485}, {lat: -53.588, lng: -70.759},//Straits of Magellan {lat: -54.027, lng: -71.043}, {lat: -52.583, lng: -74.805}, {lat: -43.259, lng: -74.363},//Chonos Archipelago {lat: -39.819, lng: -73.245},//Valdivia {lat: -36.820, lng: -73.044},//Concepcion {lat: -33.047, lng: -71.612},//Valparaiso {lat: -12.050, lng: -77.125},//Callao (Lima) {lat: -0.900, lng: -89.607},//San Cristobel (Galapagos) {lat: -1.308, lng: -90.431},//Floreana Island (Galapagos) {lat: -0.780, lng: -90.808},//Isabela Island (Galapagos) {lat: -0.342, lng: -90.669},//Santiago Island (Galapagos) {lat: -18.615, lng: -138.719},//Tuamotus {lat: -17.650, lng: -149.426},//Tahiti {lat: -35.184, lng: 174.164},//Bay of Islands (New Zealand) {lat: -34.700, lng: 174.125}, {lat: -34.377, lng: 173.774}, {lat: -34.207, lng: 172.883}, {lat: -33.844, lng: 151.233},//Sydney {lat: -34.397, lng: 151.864}, {lat: -43.317, lng: 148.164}, {lat: -43.305, lng: 147.642}, {lat: -42.882, lng: 147.327},//Hobart {lat: -43.389, lng: 147.534}, {lat: -43.743, lng: 147.181}, {lat: -43.802, lng: 145.750}, {lat: -35.045, lng: 117.973},//King George's Sound {lat: -35.121, lng: 118.068}, {lat: -35.243, lng: 117.917}, {lat: -35.038, lng: 115.812}, {lat: -34.316, lng: 114.713}, {lat: -12.165, lng: 96.858},//Cocos (Keeling) Island {lat: -20.160, lng: 57.501},//Mauritius {lat: -20.828, lng: 54.854},//Bourbon Islands {lat: -25.958, lng: 47.197}, {lat: -34.415, lng: 27.070}, {lat: -35.065, lng: 19.270}, {lat: -34.069, lng: 18.588},//Cape Town {lat: -34.406, lng: 18.613}, {lat: -34.429, lng: 18.382}, {lat: -15.965, lng: -5.708},//St Helena {lat: -7.946, lng: -14.355},//Ascension Island {lat: -13.923, lng: -35.793},//Bahia {lat: -8.688, lng: -35.073},//Pernambuco {lat: 15.707, lng: -25.620},//Cape Verde {lat: 38.117, lng: -26.608},//Azores {lat: 50.152, lng: -5.066}//Falmouth ]; flightPaths.voyageoftheBeagle = newJourney( voyageoftheBeagleCoordinates, '#0066ff', 'The Voyage of the Beagle - Charles Darwin', '

Published 1839

'+ '

Words: 111,024

'+ '

Km per word: 0.588

'+ '

Countries visited: 9

' ); // Mason & Dixon var masonDixonCoordinates = [ {lat: 39.721, lng: -80.278},//Left end {lat: 39.722, lng: -75.788},//Corner {lat: 38.460, lng: -75.693}//Right end ]; flightPaths.masonDixon = newJourney( masonDixonCoordinates, '#500000', 'Mason & Dixon - Thomas Pynchon', '

Published 1997

'+ '

Ba dum tss.

'+ '

Words: 226,489

'+ '

Km per word: 0.002

'+ '

Countries visited: 1

' ); // The Travels of Marco Polo var marcoPoloCoordinates = [ {lat: 45.440, lng: 12.315},//Venice {lat: 40.166, lng: 18.652}, {lat: 35.012, lng: 21.989}, {lat: 32.933, lng: 35.082},//Acre {lat: 31.768, lng: 35.213},//Jersualem {lat: 32.933, lng: 35.102},//Acre {lat: 35.724, lng: 34.719}, {lat: 36.482, lng: 34.170},//Ayas {lat: 41.002, lng: 39.716},//Trebizon {lat: 39.905, lng: 41.265},//Erzurum {lat: 38.096, lng: 46.273},//Tabriz {lat: 27.192, lng: 56.289},//Ormuz {lat: 30.283, lng: 57.083},//Kerman {lat: 36.755, lng: 66.897},//Balkh {lat: 39.467, lng: 75.993},//Kashgar {lat: 37.114, lng: 79.922},//Hotan {lat: 40.142, lng: 94.661},//Dunhuang {lat: 39.732, lng: 98.494},//Jiuquan {lat: 38.925, lng: 100.449},//Zhangye {lat: 36.061, lng: 103.834},//Lanzhou {lat: 42.340, lng: 116.193},//Shangdu {lat: 39.904, lng: 116.407},//Beijing {lat: 30.274, lng: 120.155},//Hangchow {lat: 24.874, lng: 118.675},//Quanzhou {lat: 24.744, lng: 118.857}, {lat: 24.634, lng: 118.872}, {lat: 16.049, lng: 108.245},//Champa {lat: 16.045, lng: 108.505}, {lat: 15.114, lng: 109.396}, {lat: 12.093, lng: 109.747}, {lat: 1.288, lng: 104.385},//Singapore Strait {lat: 1.095, lng: 103.577}, {lat: 2.803, lng: 100.570}, {lat: 2.700, lng: 100.069},//Sumatra {lat: 3.107, lng: 100.159}, {lat: 5.659, lng: 97.723}, {lat: 7.640, lng: 93.551},//Nicobar Islands {lat: 10.316, lng: 79.376},//Coromandel Coast {lat: 9.126, lng: 79.542}, {lat: 7.814, lng: 78.066}, {lat: 7.950, lng: 76.865}, {lat: 15.347, lng: 73.311}, {lat: 19.352, lng: 72.322}, {lat: 25.671, lng: 57.123}, {lat: 27.192, lng: 56.305},//Ormuz {lat: 38.096, lng: 46.293},//Tabriz {lat: 39.905, lng: 41.285},//Erzurum {lat: 41.002, lng: 39.766},//Trebizon {lat: 41.918, lng: 38.770}, {lat: 42.472, lng: 32.442}, {lat: 41.236, lng: 29.140}, {lat: 41.008, lng: 28.978},//Constantinople {lat: 40.691, lng: 27.425}, {lat: 40.406, lng: 26.720}, {lat: 40.200, lng: 26.390}, {lat: 40.124, lng: 26.383}, {lat: 39.936, lng: 25.938}, {lat: 37.575, lng: 24.485}, {lat: 36.004, lng: 23.197}, {lat: 36.421, lng: 21.187}, {lat: 40.597, lng: 18.605}, {lat: 45.440, lng: 12.315},//Venice ]; flightPaths.marcoPolo = newJourney( marcoPoloCoordinates, '#006400', 'The Travels of Marco Polo - Rustichello da Pisa & Marco Polo', '

Published c. 1300

'+ '

Words: 100,630

'+ '

Km per word: 0.300

'+ '

Countries visited: 10

' ); // The Grapes of Wrath var grapesofWrathCoordinates = [ {lat: 35.460, lng: -94.787},//Sallisaw {lat: 35.490, lng: -94.994}, {lat: 35.480, lng: -95.289}, {lat: 35.457, lng: -95.384}, {lat: 35.459, lng: -95.619}, {lat: 35.422, lng: -96.295}, {lat: 35.507, lng: -96.567},//Paden {lat: 35.518, lng: -97.632},//Bethany {lat: 35.533, lng: -98.680}, {lat: 35.384, lng: -99.511}, {lat: 35.269, lng: -99.631}, {lat: 35.270, lng: -102.666}, // Adrian {lat: 34.946, lng: -104.676},//Santa Rosa {lat: 34.963, lng: -104.741}, {lat: 35.004, lng: -106.013}, // Moriarty {lat: 35.532, lng: -108.705}, {lat: 34.912, lng: -110.157}, {lat: 35.216, lng: -111.552}, {lat: 35.171, lng: -111.654}, {lat: 35.322, lng: -112.905}, // Seligman {lat: 35.214, lng: -114.048}, // Hilltop {lat: 34.809, lng: -114.148}, {lat: 34.725, lng: -114.542}, {lat: 34.848, lng: -114.614},//Needles, CA {lat: 34.890, lng: -114.700}, {lat: 34.725, lng: -116.160}, {lat: 34.864, lng: -116.888},//Daggett {lat: 34.895, lng: -117.017},//Barstow {lat: 35.132, lng: -118.448},//Tehachap {lat: 35.373, lng: -119.018},//Bakersfield {lat: 37.741, lng: -121.558}, {lat: 37.774, lng: -122.419}//San Francisco ]; flightPaths.grapesofWrath = newJourney( grapesofWrathCoordinates, '#59C48E', 'The Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck', '

Published 1939

'+ '

Words: 144,658

'+ '

Km per word: 0.019

'+ '

Countries visited: 1

' ); // Eat, Pray, Love var EatPrayLoveCoordinates = [ {lat: 40.712, lng: -74.005},//New York {lat: 41.902, lng: 12.496},//Rome {lat: 19.501, lng: 73.013},//Mumbai {lat: -8.409, lng: 115.188}//Bali ]; flightPaths.EatPrayLove = newJourney( EatPrayLoveCoordinates, '#FFC300', 'Eat, Pray, Love - Elizabeth Gilbert', '

Published 2006

'+ '

Words: 79,158

'+ '

Km per word: 0.235

'+ '

Countries visited: 4

' ); // Life of Pi var LifeofPiCoordinates = [ {lat: 11.913, lng: 79.814},//Pondicherry {lat: 10.040, lng: 93.066}, {lat: 2.681, lng: 101.146}, {lat: 1.111, lng: 103.574}, {lat: 1.324, lng: 104.455}, {lat: 14.599, lng: 120.984},//Manila {lat: 14.361, lng: 120.422}, {lat: 14.813, lng: 119.867}, {lat: 16.232, lng: 119.548}, {lat: 19.107, lng: 120.115}, {lat: 19.821, lng: 120.709}, {lat: 24.580, lng: 159.121},//Sinking {lat: 20.289, lng: -105.6206}//Mexico ]; flightPaths.LifeofPi = newJourney( LifeofPiCoordinates, '#FF7C00', 'Life of Pi - Yann Martel', '

Published 2001

'+ '

Words: 98,783

'+ '

Km per word: 0.200

'+ '

Countries visited: 3

' ); // Huckleberry Finn var HuckleberryFinnCoordinates = [ {lat: 39.708, lng: -91.358},//Hannibal {lat: 39.706, lng: -91.334},//Jackson's Island {lat: 39.273, lng: -90.760}, {lat: 39.040, lng: -90.702}, {lat: 38.868, lng: -90.573}, {lat: 38.962, lng: -90.424}, {lat: 38.847, lng: -90.109}, {lat: 38.721, lng: -90.188}, {lat: 38.623, lng: -90.180},//St. Louis {lat: 38.341, lng: -90.365}, {lat: 38.181, lng: -90.321}, {lat: 37.694, lng: -89.517}, {lat: 37.539, lng: -89.516}, {lat: 37.430, lng: -89.436}, {lat: 37.341, lng: -89.439}, {lat: 37.314, lng: -89.509}, {lat: 37.254, lng: -89.512}, {lat: 37.088, lng: -89.377}, {lat: 37.049, lng: -89.384}, {lat: 36.998, lng: -89.301}, {lat: 37.022, lng: -89.258}, {lat: 37.058, lng: -89.308}, {lat: 37.088, lng: -89.269}, {lat: 37.016, lng: -89.199}, {lat: 36.975, lng: -89.186}, {lat: 36.982, lng: -89.122},//Cairo {lat: 36.959, lng: -89.099}, {lat: 36.578, lng: -89.213}, {lat: 36.566, lng: -89.265}, {lat: 36.603, lng: -89.310}, {lat: 36.459, lng: -89.482}, {lat: 36.556, lng: -89.472}, {lat: 36.578, lng: -89.524}, {lat: 36.544, lng: -89.566}, {lat: 36.473, lng: -89.522}, {lat: 36.359, lng: -89.522}, {lat: 36.332, lng: -89.613}, {lat: 36.259, lng: -89.567}, {lat: 36.235, lng: -89.685}, {lat: 36.138, lng: -89.589}, {lat: 35.969, lng: -89.717}, {lat: 35.900, lng: -89.665}, // Hales Point {lat: 35.907, lng: -89.736}, {lat: 35.863, lng: -89.766}, {lat: 35.825, lng: -89.703}, {lat: 35.718, lng: -89.935}, {lat: 35.519, lng: -89.906}, {lat: 35.346, lng: -90.094}, {lat: 35.162, lng: -90.062}, // Memphis {lat: 35.119, lng: -90.090}, {lat: 35.129, lng: -90.150}, {lat: 34.735, lng: -90.563}, {lat: 34.410, lng: -90.586}, {lat: 34.360, lng: -90.766}, {lat: 34.127, lng: -90.954}, {lat: 34.035, lng: -90.892}, {lat: 33.965, lng: -91.087}, {lat: 33.929, lng: -91.016}, {lat: 33.787, lng: -91.044}, {lat: 33.686, lng: -91.224}, {lat: 33.604, lng: -91.131}, {lat: 33.563, lng: -91.229}, {lat: 33.469, lng: -91.122}, {lat: 33.429, lng: -91.118}//Greenville ]; flightPaths.HuckleberryFinn = newJourney( HuckleberryFinnCoordinates, '#41BAD5', 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Mark Twain', '

Published 1884

'+ '

Words: 109,571

'+ '

Km per word: 0.009

'+ '

Countries visited: 1

' ); function newJourney(coords, colour, title, content) { // Create a polyline for the journey var path = new google.maps.Polyline({ path: coords, geodesic: false, strokeColor: colour, //'#FC6076', strokeOpacity: 0.5, strokeWeight: 1.5 }); // Set the path on the map path.setMap(map); // Get the length of this path in metres var pathLength = google.maps.geometry.spherical.computeLength(path.getPath().getArray()); // Create the infowindow content by replacing the placeholder strings var infowindowContent = contentString.replace('{{TITLE}}', title).replace('{{CONTENT}}', content).replace('{{METRE_DIST}}', parseInt(pathLength)).replace('{{KM_DIST}}', (pathLength / 1000).toFixed(2)); // Set up the info window to open when the path gets clicked on google.maps.event.addListener(path, 'click', function(event) { infowindow.setContent(infowindowContent); // infowindow.position = event.latLng; infowindow.setPosition(event.latLng); infowindow.open(map); }); return path; } function camel2title(camelCase) { // no side-effects return camelCase // inject space before the upper case letters .replace(/([A-Z])/g, function(match) { return " " + match; }) // replace first char with upper case .replace(/^./, function(match) { return match.toUpperCase(); }); } } // Make initMap available globally so google maps can run it window.initMap = initMap;

That’s over 325,000 km of book you’re looking at, enough to go around the world 8 times and still squeeze in a weekend getaway. Over 2 million words as well, not that we’ve had the pleasure of reading them all just yet. Where we hadn’t read the books ourselves, we trawled summaries, corroborated the routes of existing maps, and otherwise scoured the web for every detail available.

You’ll notice that some books have been streamlined somewhat. We wanted to focus on the movement of the books, the central narratives. Heart of Darkness is narrated in London, but we focused on the events described in the Congo. Although there are subplots in Lonesome Dove, we stuck to the cattle drive that forms the backbone of the novel. We think it worked out all right. 

BookDistance in kmWordsKm per word
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn1,041109,5710.009
The Alchemist3,78861,6610.061
Around the World in 80 Days39,40176,1040.518
Candide33,91938,9580.871
Don Quixote828308,9460.003
Dracula1,055154,6960.007
Eat, Pray, Love18,63279,1580.235
The Grapes of Wrath2,734144,6580.019
Great Tang Records on the Western Regions21,241129,9300.163
Heart of Darkness1,97256,7760.035
Life of Pi19,75298,7830.200
Lonesome Dove5,279240,0300.022
Mason & Dixon525226,4890.002
Moby-Dick41,663217,4400.192
On the Road9,50792,7140.103
Robinson Crusoe22,31596,6400.231
The Sheltering Sky3,901103,2840.038
Tracks2,35570,9050.033
The Travels of Marco Polo30,166100,6300.300
The Voyage of the Beagle65,231111,0240.588

Key destinations allowed us to piece together the routes, using a bit of interpretive license when locations didn’t strictly exist. Fiction shares the open road with memoirs and real-life journeys, and you might be surprised by which ones are more ridiculous.

Long reads

Believe it or not, the top performing adventurer of the bunch was Charles Darwin, beating out the like of Ishmael, Marco Polo, and Pi Patel. His experiences in The Voyage of the Beagle, cover 65,230 km and 9 countries. No-one travelled further, and only Candide, Phileas Fogg, and Marco Polo visit more (modern) countries in their adventures.

Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick was the longest work of fiction, clocking in at 41,663 km. It’s a charming irony that the granddaddy of Great American Novels leaves the US immediately and travels relentlessly east.

Beaten tracks

Even in a modest collection of 20 books, common routes and destinations became apparent pretty quickly. Just about any story involving the Atlantic seems to require passage through the Cape Verde islands. Robinson Crusoe, Ishmael, and Charles Darwin all passed through, and Candide likely did as well.

Top performers on land were San Francisco, New York, Buenos Aires, Singapore, Paris, and Mumbai, all of which served as hubs for their regions. Even the most fantastical stories are bound to the romance of certain places.

Kindred spirits and unlikely meetings

The project has highlighted some unexpected crossed paths. In the Americas, Sal Paradise (On the Road) and Phileas Fogg (Around the World in 80 Days) followed almost exactly the same route across the USA, although in opposite directions. Candide, Ishmael, and Charles Darwin all hung out in or near Buenos Aires. Jack Kerouac thundered through St. Louis while Huckleberry Finn and Jim drifted silently past.

In Asia, Marco Polo, Phileas Fogg, and Elizabeth Gilbert (of Eat, Pray, Love fame) each passed through Mumbai. Marco Polo and Xuanzang (whose travels inspired the Chinese class Journey to the West) trod the same Silk Roads centuries apart. Pi, Polo, and Fogg each sailed the Strait of Malacca and past Singapore. Even stories can bump into each other from time to time.

Slow reads

The project also unsurfaced an unexpected data point: book speed. Using distance travelled and word count, we were able to calculate the ‘speed’ of different books in km per word. Candide (0.871 km per word), The Voyage of the Beagle (0.588 km per word) and Around the World in 80 Days (0.518 km per word) were the fastest books.

Don Quixote (0.003 km per word), Dracula (0.007 km per word), and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (0.009 km per word) were some of the slowest. If you’ve ever wondered why certain books feel like an induced coma, this may well have something to do with it.

Windows on the world

The right book can induce a seismic shift in the reader — how you see the world, how much of it you see — and part of the trick is knowing which one to pick. We hope you find this project interesting, even useful. If you notice any mistakes, or have any suggestions, by all means get in touch. No promises, but we’ll try to keep this project going.

Happy reading.

For anyone interested in the map code, you can view it here. Everything right with it is thanks to Andrew Bridge, anything wrong can be chalked up to me.