Taking the Risk

This engaging memoir, Taking the Risk, offers a glimpse into Hilary Bradt's adventurous life in travel and publishing over five decades.

In Taking the Risk, Hilary Bradt shares her captivating memoir that chronicles her serendipitous adventures in the realms of travel and publishing. As a pioneering figure in the travel industry, she reflects on an incredible 50-year journey filled with escapades, surprises, and even a few mishaps. From her very first solo trip at the tender age of three to her extensive travels across the USA, South America, the Falklands, and Africa, Bradt's experiences are both amusing and sometimes alarming.

The book delves into her early years of hitchhiking and leading tours, revealing the challenges she faced before the age of the internet and mobile phones. With a humorous touch, Hilary recounts tales of smuggling her husband across borders and the numerous times she found herself in trouble, all while striving to be a responsible tourist. Her journey led to the founding of Bradt Guides, a successful travel publishing company, which began after she discovered an ancient trail to Machu Picchu, inspiring their first guidebook.

Taking the Risk is not just a collection of stories; it is a celebration of a life devoted to exploration and adventure. Hilary Bradt's unique perspective on the travel industry, combined with her infectious passion for discovering the world, makes this memoir a must-read for anyone who has ever traveled or pondered the creation of travel literature. The book is released in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Bradt Guides, marking a significant milestone in both her life and the travel publishing landscape.