Through Dust and Darkness, A Motorcycle Journey of Fear and Faith in the Middle East: A Review

I read Jeremy Kroeker's first book, Motorcycle Therapy, A Canadian Adventure in Central America back in 2008 when I was preparing for a 14 month Latin American motorcycle adventure of my own. My trip was still 2 years away, but I really enjoyed the book, I thought it was funny and insightful and the picture it painted of life on the road made me start counting the days until my own trip began. It was a great read that provided the right amount of inspiration and laughs over the cold winter months.

I liked Jeremy's carefree delivery and his ability to tell a story, so I was very happy to learn that Canmore, Alberta's own 'Mennonite with a motorcycle' was working on a follow up. Through Dust and Darkness, A Motorcycle Journey of Fear and Faith in the Middle East describes Jeremy's 2007 trip, a journey to explore the region, its history and his own, somewhat convoluted on-again off-again relationship with God.

At first I was a bit apprehensive about the ‟Faith” component in the title of the book. When it comes to books about faith (or more accurately, the lack thereof) I am far more inclined to pick up something by Sam Harris or Christopher Hitchens, however I was pleasantly surprised that this spiritual aspect of the book added an extra dimension to the reading experience, and the book is better for it. His thoughts about religion are insightful and, at times, quite funny; they are certainly something to which most people can relate. That being said, the discourse on religion is thankfully neither preachy nor long, it is simply and an interesting aside to an already interesting book.

Kroeker crosses Europe, riding east from Germany to explore Turkey, Syria and Lebanon on his trusty Kawasaki KLR 650, before jumping a jet plane to Iran. Along the way he fights the elements, loneliness, red tape and his own preconceived notions about the Middle East. His commentary is both perceptive and well written, and although his voyage through dust and darkness occurred prior the Arab Spring and the recent horrific events in Syria, is seems all the more powerful as a result. The book is an excellent introduction to the Middle East; he demonstrates a deep understanding of its history and politics while introducing the reader to some the region's more interesting inhabitants and attractions. Kroeker knows what he's talking about, he cut his teeth as a freelance journailst covering the region and his work has appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Toronto Star, the Winnipeg Free Press and the Calgary Herald.

Religion, politics and culture aside, it is still a story about a guy on an overland motorcycle trip and in that regard it does not disappoint. Jeremy and The Oscillator (Kroeker's aptly named KLR) tackle a lot of dust and a fair amount of darkness en route, not to mention snow and sand storms. They run into to a number of interesting characters, both locals and fellow travelers. His description of the gravitational pull some of the nicer hostels can have on the road-weary traveler is all too real, and funny because it's true; why bother even going outside when the hostel has everything you need, great company, good food and cold beer on hand…

Kroeker's real strength is describing the places he visits and more importantly, the interactions with the people he meets along the way. It's not like reading a travel guide; it is far more intimate and a lot funnier. He positions each location with just enough history and physical description to provide context and substance to the story, and it works well. The reader really gets to see a side of the Middle East and its people that is never seen on the news. While reading the book I found myself saying ‟I want to go there”, or more precisely, ‟I want to go there on my bike” every few pages. If a travel book makes you want to throw your leg over a motorbike and visit the place you've just read about, then I think it's done its job.

Jeremy Kroeker seems like he'd be a great travelling partner (as long as you make him promise not to write about you after the trip) or a good guy to hang out with over a couple of beers. If you are interested if doing that later, you can; _Through Dust and Darkness, A Motorcycle Journey of Fear and Faith in the Middle East_will be officially launched at the George Town Inn in Canmore, Alberta at 7:00PM on October 11th, 2013.

Through Dust and Darkness, A Motorcycle Journey of Fear and Faith in the Middle East

ISBN 978-1-927330-74-6