[.ca] Honeymoon With My Brother: A Memoir (ISBN 0312320906)

From Amazon.com:
Franz Wisner had the world by the tail. He was engaged to the beautiful Annie, with whom he shared a passion for conservative politics and a command of quotes from the movie This Is Spinal Tap. He worked as a government-relations official for a California real-estate giant, rubbing elbows with bigwig politicians. But then his fiancée dumped him days before their wedding, and his boss demoted him. So he dragged his younger brother, Kurt, a Seattle realtor and divorcé, to Costa Rica for his already-scheduled honeymoon, where Wisner spilled his guts to a prostitute in the hotel bar. ("Not once did it occur to me that I was having a heart-to-heart with a woman who faked orgasms for a living.") Both inspired and desperate, the two quit their jobs, sold their houses, gave away their belongings, and traveled the world for two years, romping through Europe in a newly purchased Saab, then hitting the Middle East, Southeast Asia, South America, and Africa. Along the way, Wisner got to know his brother in a way he never had ("Kurt had become ... my new best friend") and fought to move past his failed relationship. Wisner's story is straightforward, heartfelt, and highly readable -- though without any true, biting insights -- and should connect with readers who've gone through a breakup, career change, or midlife crisis, or fantasized about quitting the rat race. The author's right-leaning views, sprinkled throughout the text, may rub some readers wrong. His best travel tip? Throw away the guidebooks, and talk to the locals instead. --Andy Boynton

Youýve gotta read this book!:
I saw these guys (the brothers from "Honeymoon With My Brother"), on Oprah in September, and was intrigued by their story. I ordered their book, and just finished reading it. What can I say? I LOVED it! Amazingly honest insights into human behavior the world over, not to mention wonderfully personal cultural insights and "lessons" if we choose. I am awed and enlightened by the experiences these two brothers have shared, and look forward to another book! If I read (at their website http://www.honeymoonwithmybrother.com) correctly, they are currently on another world tour for their next book? I recommend visiting their website while reading the book, as there are wonderful photographs of places they have visited and mention in the book. Kurt's (he's the photographer, Franz is the writer) got an amazing eye. There are many "moments" in this book, but I think the moment Franz experienced with the African children was the most profound for me. I cried with him. There's also plenty of humor throughout their journey. One incident that made me laugh out loud, (embarrassingly because I have had a similar experience!) is when Kurt and Franz swipe a little Ben Gay under their noses before climbing into bed (to try to cover the wretched smells saturating every corner of their "hotel" room). "Nature calls" Franz during the night, and he's forgotten about the Ben Gay still lingering on his fingers... . Too funny. There are many hilarious scenes as they travel from country to country. These two guys share a worldwide adventure, as well as a deeply personal journey. That they were able to break old debilitating barriers, and become "real" brothers is encouraging in a world where depth in a relationship (whether partners, parents/children, or siblings) has become an anomaly. You've gotta read this book.

Worth the read:
I first heard an interview with Franz Wisner on the CBC (I know, I'm lame), but his story about traveling through a Syrian check point got me interested in the book. We all sometimes wish that we could walk away from the important things in our life (job, bad relationships) to travel through the remote parts of the world, so we can find the real important things in life. Read this book and you will find what Franz and Kurt found, you will be jealous.

Well Written Trip Around the World and Through the Mind:
A unique story line to take us on a trip across the world. Picked it up as a potential 'lightweight' summer read and was surprised to find the book to be a well written memoir of travels not only to other place but to other choices in life. Well Done.

Funny and enlightening book!:
I really enjoyed this book although some of it read like (the dreaded) "tour guide" and some of it was boring (especially the political jargon). But if you got past that, it's a pretty funny and enlightening book. It definately made you want to travel around the world! (I wish!) The chapter entitled "This poor old world of ours" made me cry. Mostly the book made me hunger for more. I think this book would make a great movie! I could totally picture the Wilson brothers (Luke & Owen) playing the parts of Franz and Kurt! I look forward to reading the next book!

Entertaining and Meaningful:
I saw Franz Wisner on Oprah several months back and thought his story sounded intriguing enough to pick up the book. I'm just finishing it now and this is one of those books that has entertained me immensely and also given me a different look on the world. As another reader mentioned, the moment with the children in Africa is truly profound. It's a rather simple story. One brother is ditched at the altar days before the wedding and is quickly being demoted at work. Devastated but not destroyed, he goes ahead with the "wedding" (minus the bride) and takes the honeymoon trip with his brother instead. He then convinces his brother to drop everything and travel around the world for two years. The tale of their journey because both entertaining and meaningful. Franz, the writer and he writes in a very engaging manner. I actually feel like I've been to those places with him and felt what he's felt. I hope he writes more on his travels!