
A daring early‑20th‑century expedition set out to prove that an automobile could bridge the vast gap between Beijing and Paris in just sixty days. The narrative follows the crew as they leave the Chinese capital, tackle the formidable Great Wall, and drive through rugged mountain passes and the endless steppe of Mongolia. Along the way, the author records the mechanical hurdles of early motor travel, the stark beauty of the Gobi desert, and the occasional moments of triumph when the engine finally conquers an otherwise impassable road.
Beyond the sheer adventure, the book offers a vivid portrait of the peoples and cultures encountered: generous hosts in remote towns, lively discussions over tea and wine, and the practical questions raised by engineers and traders about the future of motor transport. Richly illustrated with photographs and a detailed map, the work captures both the romance and the harsh reality of crossing two continents on wheels, inviting listeners to experience a forgotten chapter of travel history.
Full title
Peking-Paris im Automobil Eine Wettfahrt durch Asien und Europa in sechzig Tagen.
Language
de
Duration
~16 hours (950K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Peter Becker, Marc-Andre Seekamp and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2014-12-28
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1874–1947
An Italian journalist and globe-trotting reporter, he became famous for vivid dispatches from wars, revolutions, and long-distance expeditions at the turn of the 20th century. His writing helped bring far-off events to ordinary readers with speed, color, and a reporter’s eye for drama.
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