The Recreational Nomad, by David Berry, is an interesting concept in that it it is not a conventional, 'start at the front and finish at the back' book. It has an unusual layout in that it is divided into four sections:

The Basics: Setting out to explain motorcaravanning to the uninitiated, although more practised hands may learn a thing or two (I certainly did!).
The Ideas: A distillation of the author's DIY projects.
A Magazine Article: Reproductions of articles written by the author for various magazines.
A Motorcaravan Log: Extract from the log of the author's travels.

I have to say that it took me a while to rid myself of the urge to treat this like a normal book, it's just not possible to read it that way, but once I had done this I found it an immensely interesting book. In fact the section on Basics can be read as a continuous narrative through the book, but the other sections are of the type that can be dipped into as the fancy takes you. It is well illustrated throughout with the author's own photographs which, although black & white, serve their purpose in illustrating the articles.

The book claims to appeal to potential motorcaravanners, those new to the pastime, and experienced hands. I think it succeeds well in its aims, although some may find the unusual layout off-putting.

2003 review by Andy Clarke

Info:
Softback, 300 pages
Over 650 b&w photographs
ISBN 0 9527715 3 5
Price £17.99
Published by Keyham Books

Out of print

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