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Giveaway: “Forks” Book by Allan Karl

Every Friday is giveaway day. Comment to win!

Forks-AllanKarl

One day Allan Karl woke up to discover that he was unemployed and his marriage had ended in divorce. Allan looked at these forks in the road of his life as an opportunity to both follow a life-long dream and pursue his passions.

After a successful Kickstarter campaign, Allan published an incredibly detailed book about his three-year journey.

This isn’t just any travelogue—it’s hugely comprehensive! When he sent me a preview copy, it went to the top of my reading list (and I get 50 books a month, so it’s a big list).

What you need to know:

  • This is a big-ass book! You won’t be able to read it in one sitting
  • This giveaway is global. We’ll ship a copy anywhere!
  • Our cats and biased judges will pick someone on Sunday night at 6pm PST

Enter this week’s giveaway below, then check back on Sunday night. We’ll announce the winner and send them the prize!

(And if you don’t win, consider picking it up from Amazon or your favorite local bookstore.)

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Update: Comments are now closed. Congrats to Jeff Bridgforth, selected by cats and a random number generator to win this great bag! Everyone else, thanks for entering. We’ll have another giveaway next week.
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105 Comments

  • Victor says:

    Travel, photography and food, the perfect recipe for freedom.

  • Mike Rudd says:

    Chris so happy you have Allan’s book on here!
    He’s a friend of mine that I had on my podcast recently and was able to help set him up for an awesome wine and food festival in Columbus Ohio this weekend. We’ll be meeting face to face for the first time.
    The book is unbelievable…I backed his Kickstarter project and enjoyed the book so much I got a copy for my pops on Father’s Day!

  • chad says:

    Exhaustive detail on how to take an around the world trip? Sounds exciting, even though it may lead to excessive longing. 🙂

  • Frances says:

    Looks like a good one!

  • Sergio Correa says:

    This must be an amaizng book. I’m in a similar situation right now. Just got out of a 12 years long relationship and quit my old job for a new one that didn’t happen. All this happened after a trip abroad, when I started to realize I wasn’t happy with the path I was following. Right now, I’m facing more forks in my road than ever before. Should I settle down and buy a house or travel the world? Should I try harder in my old relationship, look for a new love or enjoy being single? Should I stay in a safe job or find something that gives me more freedom? All these questions are on the table right now. I know that living is making choices all the time, but I have never had so many important decisions to make at the same time before. Sorry for the bad english, I’m from Brazil.

  • bth says:

    An interesting multifaceted person.

  • Kathleen says:

    About to head to the Great Namaste! Would love to read Forks, too! 🙂

  • Kelly Johnston says:

    What a great story! I have heard that it is an awesome book and would love to read it!

  • Ian says:

    Wow! Probably the book that I should read. When you reflect on the forks in the roads that you took in your life, make sure you end up smiling not weeping.

  • Brian says:

    I’m going to purchase this if I don’t win it.

  • Frela Ferrell says:

    At the ripe age of 55, which actually feels more vaguely like 40’ish, I’m finding myself not only at a crossroads of opportunity, but I’m also at a sort of existentialist crisis.

    What are my choices? I’m just barely 2 weeks into my empty nest syndrome and as a single mom, it’s a time of great joy but also? Well, heck, I’m alone! And I have SO many choices right now.

    I have freedom! Not much money, to be sure, but I’m able to do anything that I want. In a way, it’s scary and fun to consider my options and opportunities (which is why I tend to purchase your books!).

    So this type of reading treat might be just the inspiration that I need.

    Wish that I could have made the big event this weekend! Do many older people attend? THAT might be a good blog post!

    Best,
    Frela

  • Steve K. says:

    Chris, great-looking new site! I love it. Best wishes on WDS2014! Much love and respect.

  • Sarah m says:

    I am always ready for a new travel book!
    Sarah M

  • Alfredo Henrique says:

    On to choose which road to take…

  • jr cline says:

    Such an interesting description. I am looking forward to reading this book.

  • Anne says:

    Wow. That definitely looks like a worthwhile and inspiring read. Thank you.

  • Paul says:

    It’s a shame it takes losing jobs and divorces for us humans to go exploring sometimes!

  • Gordon says:

    A great summer read ahead

  • Dale Keiger says:

    I have nearly 200 unread titles on my bookshelves, and an Amazon wish list approach 500 volumes. So clearly I need one more book on the stack. Thanks.

  • Ruggero De Pellegrini says:

    I met many bikers during my months of travel in Asia, all of them interesting and inspiring personalities. Makes me want to get a motorbike license myself. It’s on my todo-list for next year…

  • Mark says:

    This looks fantastic! I echo Paul’s comment, too. It’s a shame that we all don’t do this at some point before it’s either too late or we feel it’s the only option.

  • Dan says:

    Sounds like an amazing journey!

  • Dawn says:

    Thoroughly intrigued.

  • Kinsey says:

    This book looks awesome!

  • Ryan Dangaran says:

    The creative capacity and tenacity to see the journeys through is encouraging. I would love to dig into this book!

  • Lindsey says:

    I can identify (minus the motorcycle).

  • Patrick Tramma says:

    This looks very interesting. I’ll be reading it one way or another! 🙂

  • Scott K. says:

    Me me me!

  • Dare says:

    Culture, cusine and connection sound like the perfect mix!

  • Carla King says:

    Hi Chris! I already have FORKS and I love love love it! But I could use another one to give to a friend 🙂

  • Pat Mendell says:

    Gimme, gimme gimme!

  • Christina Determan says:

    Ready to catch the book right here! Single Mom who doesn’t get out and enjoy life like I wish.. I would appreciate living vicariously through Allan’s adventures & beautiful photography.. I cook daily and enjoy photography that includes landscape, architecture, historical sites and food.
    Peace and Cheers!

  • Mr. Heath says:

    Looks like a good read… I’ll throw my hat in the ring for this!

  • GS John says:

    WIN ! WIN !

  • Yannick says:

    Preparing a hop from Montreal Canada to Ushuaia Argentina and back, this could be inspirational.

  • Andy says:

    I have given away your book as a gift and would LOVE to have one for myself! Great concept, superb crowdfunding effort that is appreciated by both foodies and motorcyclists alike.

  • Karen Eve says:

    The beauty of travel is that it takes me out of daily life into the new, strange and unexpected. This is really useful when I or my spouse are experiencing a fork or crisis. To get the most out of life, I need to remind myself to open up to new ideas, new opportunities. That can be difficult in the midst of crisis. Travel is a great way to let go of the old and explore other options.

    Congratulations to Allan.

  • Andy Gray says:

    It’s going to take a fair bit to beat a couple of the other motorcycle travel books I’ve read but I’m more than willing to try!

  • Lesley says:

    We’ve met some great guys and girls on motorbikes all over the world -love to read the stories!

  • Shanna says:

    This looks like an epic adventure!

  • Ron Karl says:

    Great job, nephew and godchild Allan

  • TR Schwartz says:

    I would love for this to be at the top of my reading list as well – Thanks Chris!

  • Robert Top says:

    He pointed the frontwheel in one direction ….. kept the wheels thurning and enyod Life

  • Ginamarie says:

    I would love to win this book to help me inspire and plan for my own motorcycle trip next year.

  • Alice says:

    I love books like this, I’d love to win it.

  • Pablo Puga says:

    Let’s try to taste this book. Yummy travels!

  • Jeff Bridgforth says:

    Sounds like an awesome read. Hope I win.

  • SHARLA says:

    I’D LOVE THIS BOOK!

  • Desiree says:

    Clever title! Looking forward to reading!

  • Alexis says:

    Kickstarter…. home for dreams.
    Nice one Chris, thanks for sharing!

  • Tuere says:

    I like big-ass books. Bring it!

  • Jaime says:

    Great idea, so awsome combination motorcycling and food, must be a great book!!!

  • Francisco Moctezuma says:

    A must have! you can easily send one copy down here in MX , and I’ll tale care to spread the ADV doctrine. 🙂

  • Iacob Danut says:

    I am sure I love this book. I want it.

  • Takki says:

    Enter me please

  • Christopher says:

    Gotta try it. Sounds like an interesting book.

  • Josiane says:

    Culture, cuisine, and connection… That book sounds right up my alley! I love its title, too, and I’m sure I’d enjoy all the good stuff that’s between its covers.

  • Kat says:

    Darn the Twilight books – “Forks” conjures up vampire images for me! ;-). This definitely looks like a great read! I really loved Karen Eve ‘s comment. I feel exactly the same.

  • Natalie M says:

    Sounds like an amazing read

  • Kris says:

    The book is beautiful. If I win, I’ll give it to my father. He drove his motorcycle from Maryland to Alaska as soon as he retired, fulfilling a lifelong bucket list item.

  • Dan says:

    Long way round…minus being a movie star

  • Lillian Duggan says:

    Okay, I’m sold. I want this book.

  • Catalina says:

    May the odds of randomness be with me right now 😀

  • Jennifer pahl says:

    A Great Namaste to FORKS – love this idea. Thanks for introducing me.

  • Brent Leute says:

    What an awesome adventure. I would love to do something like this, on a smaller scale of course. The book looks awesome, can’t wait to get a copy.

  • Helene says:

    It looks like a great adventure. I’m excited to read it.

  • Pat Dowling says:

    I have chosen my fork, but my daughter is still pondering. Would love to give the book to my daughter.

  • Robert Lane says:

    Cool

  • tiffany l says:

    sounds great!

  • SUSAN says:

    Unemployed, and presently going through divorce after 37 years. Two things I never saw coming. The forks are certainly lining the road on both sides for me at this moment. I would welcome a literary intervention! 🙂

  • Kris Flatt says:

    I can live vicariously through reading your book. I work for Jesse Luggage which is the saddlebags used on the bike. I briefly got a look at the book when a copy was shipped to our office. Allan has an amazing story.

  • Anna says:

    Has the author thought about publishing as a kindle book? I look forward to reading it!

  • Sergi Ballivian says:

    There is a direct link between travel and food and happiness. I travel a lot and having good food is a way to get to know the people and the region as well as yourself. If you are having a ‘happy meal’, then you are a happy person.

  • jamesian says:

    Would love way to measure electrical messages of brain when person choose less-traveled fork in the proverbial road. Might give us some insight in how to give confidence to people who lean that way but then pull back and do conventional.

  • Jeff says:

    Could be a terrific read.

  • Joan says:

    This book sounds amazing. It sounds like whoever wins will be in for an exciting read. Thanks for the chance.

  • Kevin Avery says:

    Sounds awesome! My wife and I are planning on travel-schooling our son – taking him around the world to teach and raise him and visit every country in Europe, South America, Australia/Oceania and North America and would love to write a book like this about our journey 🙂

  • Debbie says:

    Sounds like a great book.

  • Mitch Lord says:

    Even if I don’t win it, feel free to hit me up if you’re ever in the Moab, UT area. I have a spare room and bed if the weather is nasty or you need to rest. You book sounds great.

  • Marit Estergreen says:

    Any gent who poses for the cover of his book with a bmw Dakar in more prominence than himself has written a book worth reading. Some things ought to be hidden by their cover.

  • Helen says:

    Spork! I want to read this book!

  • Eric Chisamore says:

    Love Adventure Travel, I have small children and am looking forward to them getting older and being able to travel more. I love Moto travel and look forward to spme big trips to South America and elsewhere, for now I live vicaroisly thru other ADV Riders.

  • Paul Jolicoeur says:

    We all have a story worth sharing with someone! Glad Allan has the courage to share his.

  • nance moore says:

    I’m turning 65 on Sunday and hope there are still adventures for me.

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  • Sabri Hassan says:

    His travel story is certainly inspiring, but I am more intrigued by his process of thoughts that enable him to bounce back from two “frightening” lows in life for average people (divorce and being unemployed)

  • Ella says:

    Looks like a great read!

  • Kathleen says:

    I’m divorced and retired, so I’m free to go on my own journey.

  • chris xaver says:

    I have read this book cOver to cover. It’s a wonderful tale of adventure and moxy. The photos are as inspiring as the recipes. I want another cot to give away and share the pleasure with bike riding foodie friends! !

  • Dara Jasumani says:

    Nearly 3 months ago I arrived at what I now know to be a fork in my life. I’ve been off the road all this time – it looks like I have MS. I’m improving slowly but am determined to get back on 2 wheels ASAP. I now sit on my Tiger most days to get my legs and hips working properly. I’m a way off riding at the moment but … well … your book looks inspirational. 🙂 even if I don’t win the book I’m glad I’ve found this page 🙂

  • Kirsten says:

    I’m thankfully comfortable with life, but have had periods facing Forks. I’d love to read the journey of someone who took such roads less traveled. (Cliche but apt with the title chosen)

  • lauren says:

    I would live to win this. I enjoy books so much my book shelves are bigger than my closer, and more important to me. I feel challenged facing m own forks and I would love to see how he overcame his. Thank you. I love everything about the aonc! THANK YOUUU!!!! I will check back with you.
    Best lauren

  • Helen says:

    Would really love to win this. My marriage has just ended, I am about to set up a new company but, oh, the temptation just to say ‘fuck it all’, get on my bike and cycle off on a long adventure is judt so so tempting…..my sensible side says I should read about such a journey rather than attempting it myself..

  • Donna says:

    I love these inspirational books, they make dreams seem possible to me.

  • Sheralyn says:

    Would love to read this book! We recently left for a minimum 1 year of travel and I’m reading everything I can about others who have taken off and made it work!

  • Martha Garvey says:

    I enjoy being judged by cats. This sounds like an intriguing book.

  • Cody James says:

    Hang on…

    Does “Forks” refer to the eating utensil or the front wheel support on a motorcycle? Or the metaphorical point of a decision? Or all of the above?

    At any rate, please be aware that I love forks. And cats. And random number generators.

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  • Justin says:

    sounds great, would love a copy!

  • anil says:

    This is a book I do need right now!

  • anne chung says:

    We are always going to face those forks in the road. Its what we decide to do about them that makes the difference. I’m about to face a major one, I’m excited and I’m anxious, a lot of mixed feelings but I know its going to be good. Its going to free me from the old life that is getting old and release me to new experiences. I read blogs like yours to feel connected to others of like mind.

  • Atikah says:

    Sometime all the “bad” things happened in our life are to grand us more wisdoms. I like reading real life experience such as this one. Would like to win this. Thanks for the opportunity! 🙂

  • BettyLou says:

    Lots of forks in the road for most of it, would love to win and read.

  • Jason says:

    Utterly fascinated. Keen as to win!

  • Peter says:

    Count me in. As a biker myself it will be interesting to see the view from some else’s perspective.

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