The Last Overland: 21,000 km, 23 Countries and One Very Old Land Rover

In 1955, a group of six recent university graduates attempted to drive the entire length of Eurasia from London to Singapore. This was the unclimbed Everest of motoring, and many had tried and failed. Inspired by this, filmmaker and adventurer Alex Bescoby planned an epic recreation of the original trip, this time from Singapore to London, in the original Land Rover. The journey, completed by Tim Slessor and the team, captivated a nation emerging from postwar austerity. Alex and his team battled rough roads, breakdowns, and a constantly leaky roof to discover a world changed for the better and worse since the first expedition.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 06 July 2023
Publisher: Michael O'Mara Books Ltd

SHORTLISTED FOR THE EDWARD STANFORD TRAVEL BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD 2023




NOW A MAJOR DOCUMENTARY SERIES ON ALL 4




‘This is a fabulous adventure – reckless, insanely ambitious and filled with sweat, tears and laughter ... irresistible reading. Joanna Lumley




‘Alex Bescoby weaves travel, adventure, history and the contemporary together like no one else. His great gift is to take us on a journey through past and present. Dan Snow




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‘A journey that I dont think could be made again today. It was this comment by Sir David Attenborough on the fiftieth anniversary of the iconic First Overland expedition that became an irresistible challenge for filmmaker and adventurer Alex Bescoby.




In 1955, Attenborough, then a young TV producer, was approached by six recent university graduates determined to drive the entire length of ‘Eurasia, from London to Singapore. It was the unclimbed Everest of motoring – many had tried, none had succeeded.




Sensing this time might be different, Attenborough gave the expedition enough film reel to cover their attempt.




The 19,000-mile journey completed by Tim Slessor and the team captivated a nation emerging from postwar austerity. Tims book, The First Overland, soon became the bible of the overlanding religion.




Inspired by the First Overland, Alex made contact with now eighty-six-year-old Tim and together they planned an epic recreation of the original trip, this time from Singapore to London.




Their goal was to complete the legendary journey started more than sixty years ago in the original Land Rover.




In awe of the unstoppable Tim, and haunted by his own grandfathers declining health, Alex and his team soon find themselves battling rough roads, breakdowns and Oxforshire. But their determination to succeed is unwavering, and they push on through the challenges, driven by their love for adventure and their respect for the past.




The result is a breathtaking journey that takes readers on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, from the exhilaration of high-speed driving through the desert to the heart-wrenching moments of loss and resilience.




The First Overland is a testament to the power of human determination and the enduring spirit of adventure, and it will leave readers in awe of the incredible feats that have been accomplished over the years.




This is a book that must be read by anyone who loves travel, adventure, or history, and it is sure to inspire and captivate readers for years to come.

Weight: 300g
Dimension: 128 x 198 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789295498