setting of the book travel team

Danny Walker #1

Travel team, mike lupica.

274 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

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"Travel Team" Summary

By Mike Lupica

sports | 304 pages | Published in NaN

Estimated read time: 5 min read

One Sentence Summary

After being cut from the travel basketball team, Danny Walker forms his own team and seeks redemption in the championship game.

Table of Contents

Introduction, brief synopsis, main characters, chapter summary, main events, themes and insights, reader's takeaway.

"Travel Team" is a young adult novel written by Mike Lupica. This inspiring and heartwarming story revolves around a 12-year-old boy named Danny Walker. The book addresses themes of determination, friendship, and the pursuit of dreams. Set in a small town in the United States, the narrative follows Danny as he strives to overcome obstacles and fulfill his passion for basketball. As the protagonist navigates challenges both on and off the court, readers are taken on a journey of self-discovery and perseverance.

Plot Overview

Danny Walker is a talented basketball player with dreams of making it to the travel team, an elite squad that competes in prestigious tournaments. However, Danny's hopes are dashed when he is cut from the team due to his small stature. Despite the setback, Danny refuses to give up on his passion for the game. With the help of his friends and the support of his coach, he sets out to form his own team and prove himself on the court.

The story is primarily set in the town of Middletown, a close-knit community where basketball holds significant importance. The vivid description of the town and its basketball culture provides a rich backdrop for the protagonist's journey. From the local courts to the intense tournament arenas, the setting plays a crucial role in shaping the events of the narrative.

Chapters 1-5

Danny dreams of making the travel basketball team, but his hopes are crushed when he is cut due to his size. Heartbroken, he seeks solace in his friends and begins to consider forming his own team.

Chapters 6-10

With the encouragement of his coach and friends, Danny starts assembling a group of players to form a new team. He faces skepticism and challenges but remains determined to prove himself.

Chapters 11-15

As Danny's team begins to take shape, they face opposition from other players and teams. The narrative delves into themes of friendship, teamwork, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Chapters 16-20

The newly formed team begins to train and prepare for upcoming tournaments. Danny's leadership and unwavering dedication inspire his teammates, and they start to bond both on and off the court.

Chapters 21-25

The team faces its first competitive challenges, testing their skills and camaraderie. Danny's growth as a player and a leader becomes evident as they navigate victories and setbacks.

Chapters 26-30

As the narrative reaches its climax, the team's hard work and determination are put to the ultimate test in a high-stakes tournament. Danny's journey of self-discovery and the power of belief come to the forefront.

• Danny's heartbreak after being cut from the travel team.
• The formation of Danny's own basketball team with the support of his friends and coach.
• The team's training and preparation for tournaments.
• Competitive challenges and victories that test the team's resilience.
• The climax at the high-stakes tournament, where Danny and his team face their ultimate test.
• Perseverance: The novel explores the theme of perseverance as Danny refuses to give up on his dreams despite facing numerous obstacles.
• Friendship: The importance of friendship and support is a central theme, highlighting the impact of loyal companions like Will in Danny's journey.
• Belief in oneself: The narrative emphasizes the power of self-belief and determination in overcoming adversity.

"Travel Team" offers readers an inspiring and relatable story about the pursuit of dreams and the resilience of the human spirit. Through Danny's journey, readers are reminded of the power of perseverance, friendship, and self-belief in the face of challenges.

In "Travel Team," Mike Lupica crafts a compelling narrative that not only captures the passion for basketball but also delves into universal themes of determination and friendship. The protagonist's journey serves as a source of inspiration for readers of all ages, making the book a poignant and uplifting read.

Travel Team FAQ

What is 'travel team' about.

Travel Team is a young adult novel about a 12-year-old boy named Danny Walker who is determined to form his own basketball team after being left out of his town's elite travel team.

Who is the author of 'Travel Team'?

The author of 'Travel Team' is Mike Lupica, a renowned sports journalist and author of many sports-themed novels for young readers.

What age group is 'Travel Team' suitable for?

The book is generally suitable for readers aged 10-14, but older readers and adults who enjoy sports-themed stories may also find it engaging.

Is 'Travel Team' part of a series?

No, 'Travel Team' is a standalone novel and does not belong to a series.

What are the main themes in 'Travel Team'?

The main themes in 'Travel Team' include perseverance, friendship, teamwork, and the love of basketball. The book also addresses issues of family dynamics and personal growth.

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TRAVEL TEAM

by Mike Lupica ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 2004

For a small man, Richie Walker casts a large shadow over his son’s life. Danny Walker would like nothing more than to follow in his father’s footsteps. When 12, Richie, a 5’10” point guard phenom, led his ragtag Middletown Vikings from Eastern Long Island to the national finals of the Little League Basketball World Series and became the darling of sportswriters around the country. Problem is Danny didn’t make his travel team. Too small. But, in a story every bit as exciting and tear-jerking as any novel or movie in its genre— Hoosiers , Mighty Ducks , The Bad News Bears —Danny gets his chance at glory. Lupica, a sportswriter at the New York Daily News, has the knowledge of the game and the lean prose to make this a taut, realistic story not just about the game but about heart, character, and family. A winner. (Fiction. 10+)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2004

ISBN: 0-399-24150-7

Page Count: 384

Publisher: Philomel

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2004

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

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More by Mike Lupica

BOOK REVIEW

by Mike Lupica

Awards & Accolades

Our Verdict

Kirkus Reviews' Best Books Of 2020

New York Times Bestseller

IndieBound Bestseller

THIS BOOK IS ANTI-RACIST

20 lessons on how to wake up, take action, and do the work.

by Tiffany Jewell ; illustrated by Aurélia Durand ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 7, 2020

A guidebook for taking action against racism.

The clear title and bold, colorful illustrations will immediately draw attention to this book, designed to guide each reader on a personal journey to work to dismantle racism. In the author’s note, Jewell begins with explanations about word choice, including the use of the terms “folx,” because it is gender neutral, and “global majority,” noting that marginalized communities of color are actually the majority in the world. She also chooses to capitalize Black, Brown, and Indigenous as a way of centering these communities’ voices; "white" is not capitalized. Organized in four sections—identity, history, taking action, and working in solidarity—each chapter builds on the lessons of the previous section. Underlined words are defined in the glossary, but Jewell unpacks concepts around race in an accessible way, bringing attention to common misunderstandings. Activities are included at the end of each chapter; they are effective, prompting both self-reflection and action steps from readers. The activities are designed to not be written inside the actual book; instead Jewell invites readers to find a special notebook and favorite pen and use that throughout. Combining the disruption of common fallacies, spotlights on change makers, the author’s personal reflections, and a call to action, this powerful book has something for all young people no matter what stage they are at in terms of awareness or activism.

Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2020

ISBN: 978-0-7112-4521-1

Page Count: 160

Publisher: Frances Lincoln

Review Posted Online: Sept. 14, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2019

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL SCIENCES

More by Tiffany Jewell

by Tiffany Jewell

by Tiffany Jewell ; illustrated by Nicole Miles

More About This Book

THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL

From the school for good and evil series , vol. 1.

by Soman Chainani ; illustrated by Iacopo Bruno ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 14, 2013

Rich and strange (and kitted out with an eye-catching cover), but stronger in the set pieces than the internal logic.

Chainani works an elaborate sea change akin to Gregory Maguire’s Wicked (1995), though he leaves the waters muddied.

Every four years, two children, one regarded as particularly nice and the other particularly nasty, are snatched from the village of Gavaldon by the shadowy School Master to attend the divided titular school. Those who survive to graduate become major or minor characters in fairy tales. When it happens to sweet, Disney princess–like Sophie and  her friend Agatha, plain of features, sour of disposition and low of self-esteem, they are both horrified to discover that they’ve been dropped not where they expect but at Evil and at Good respectively. Gradually—too gradually, as the author strings out hundreds of pages of Hogwarts-style pranks, classroom mishaps and competitions both academic and romantic—it becomes clear that the placement wasn’t a mistake at all. Growing into their true natures amid revelations and marked physical changes, the two spark escalating rivalry between the wings of the school. This leads up to a vicious climactic fight that sees Good and Evil repeatedly switching sides. At this point, readers are likely to feel suddenly left behind, as, thanks to summary deus ex machina resolutions, everything turns out swell(ish).

Pub Date: May 14, 2013

ISBN: 978-0-06-210489-2

Page Count: 496

Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2013

CHILDREN'S SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

More In The Series

by Soman Chainani ; illustrated by Iacopo Bruno

More by Soman Chainani

by Soman Chainani ; illustrated by RaidesArt

by Soman Chainani ; illustrated by Julia Iredale

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Travel Team

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The #1 Bestseller! Twelve-year-old Danny Walker may be the smallest kid on the basketball court – but don’t tell him that. Because no one plays with more heart or court sense. But none of that matters when he is cut from his local travel team, the very same team his father led to national prominence as a boy. Danny’s father, still smarting from his own troubles, knows Danny isn’t the only kid who was cut for the wrong reason, and together, this washed-up former player and a bunch of never-say-die kids prove that the heart simply cannot be measured. For fans of The Bad News Bears, Hoosiers, the Mighty Ducks, and Mike Lupica’s other New York Times bestselling novels Heat, The Underdogs, and Million-Dollar Throw, here is a book that proves that when the game knocks you down, champions stand tall.

What Kind of Book is Travel Team

Book lists that include travel team.

The Creative Behind the Book

Mike Lupica is the author of multiple bestselling books for young readers, including the Home Team series, QB 1, Heat, Travel Team, Million-Dollar Throw, and The Underdogs. He has carved out a niche as the sporting world’s finest storyteller. Mike lives in Connecticut with his wife and their four children. When not writing novels, he writes for Daily News (New York) and is an award-winning sports commentator. You can visit Mike Lupica at MikeLupicaBooks.com.

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Book Review: Travel Team by Mike Lupica

Danny Walker’s dreams of basketball glory are dashed when he doesn’t make the seventh-grade travel team in his small New York town, simply because he doesn’t have the all-important height advantage this year’s basketball dads are looking for. It doesn’t matter that he is one of the best basketball players in town. It doesn’t matter that he played on the fifth- and sixth-grade travel teams. It doesn’t even matter that his father is  the  Richie Walker, who led his own seventh-grade travel team to a national championship, only to have his pro career cut short by a disabling car accident. Or maybe that last one does matter, because this year’s seventh-grade team is coached by a bitter rival of Richie Walker.

To Danny Walker, basketball is life. So when he starts talking about giving it up, his Mom and his friends get very concerned. Concerned enough to bring Danny’s deadbeat Dad back into his life. Concerned enough to risk money, friendship, public embarrassment, and total failure by starting a new travel team, just so Danny can play.

Slowly, painfully, a group of misfits, rejects, and average players who didn’t even try out for the “real team” shape up to become a real team themselves. Aided by his “supernatural basketball powers” (as Danny’s mom calls them), he makes the kind of basketball magic that can turn even a little guy like him into a giant. Gradually Danny emerges as a leader, kids used to losing learn how to win, and the Middletown Warriors prove that the game is at its best when it’s about kids having fun.

New York-based sportswriter and kids’ basketball coach Mike Lupica seems ideally qualified to write this book, which will appeal to all athletics-minded kids; though his hip, grammatically loose, IM-savvy writing style may cause some Moms and teachers to frown. Because it is such a book of this moment in American culture, and loaded with basketball lingo to boot, I will not predict that it will become a classic. Rather, I will predict that, for right now, it holds a lot of appeal: enough to keep up a kid’s habit of reading even when he tires of magical fantasies, teen melodramas, and serious literature.

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Travel Team Themes

By mike lupika.

These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own.

Written by Callie Labrador

Victory For The Underdog

At least three references are made in the book to classic underdog stories, the fictional "Bad News Bears" and the real-life basketball underdog Hoosiers. Danny is an underdog in both life and sports; he is the underdog in school where he is surrounded by kids with both parents in the home, who wear the latest NBA player-endorsed sneakers, whilst he lives with his mom and has holes in his sneakers because she cannot afford to replace them. Being the underdog at basketball is a new concept for Danny who has always been the favorite due to his prodigious talents; his short stature turns him into an underdog as his team of travel-team rejects is constantly losing. However, it is impossible not to root for Danny's Warriors, who despite losing a coach and having children step into the role,still fight hard to outplay their opponents. When they win, and make the tournament finals, it is a classic underdog tale that makes the reader feels hat the correct people won in the end.

Parental Divorce

Although Danny accepts the status quo he already realizes that his life has been changed because of his parents' divorce, and although he rarely voices a wish for them to get back together, he occasionally hints that this would make him very happy; having enjoyed his father spending Christmas with them he hints to his mother that he would like his dad to stay that night, and it is clear that seeing them getting aking together brings him joy and hope. Danny seems to be aware of what might have been different if they had been able to stay together, whilst also being aware that the divorce was primarily his father's fault. It is also apparent that he has far greater awareness of adult moods, behavior and vocal intonation than his friends whose parents are still married.

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Travel Team Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Travel Team is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Did the Warriors win the championship in the end and if they did who did they beat

The boys realize that if Mr Ross extending an olive branch to Richie is possible, then anything is possible, and in true underdog fashion they win the game. The Warriors beat Middletown.

What had Jeff Ross done after the tryouts?

Jeff Ross called Danny personally to tell him that he'd made the team. Danny's parents were old friends of his.

Who is a static character?

I might consider Ali Walker. She is still strong at the end of the book.

Study Guide for Travel Team

Travel Team study guide contains a biography of Mike Lupica, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Travel Team
• Travel Team Summary
• Character List

Wikipedia Entries for Travel Team

• Introduction

The 35 Best Books About Time Travel

Here's what to read after you finish Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

Gabaldon first published Outlander —the book that would eventually inspire the television series starring Caitriona Balfe as Claire and Sam Heughan as Jamie —in 1991, and the ninth novel in the series, Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone , came out in November 2021.

With the first part of the seventh season of Outlander all out now, it's the perfect time (ha) to dive into time travel books. From time traveling romance to alternate realities to murder mysteries, there's something for everyone here.

The Time Traveler's Wife

Any list about time travel books must begin with The Time Traveler's Wife , right? This bestselling novel tells the love story of Henry DeTamble, a dashing, adventuresome librarian who inadvertently travels through time, and Clare Abshire, an artist whose life takes a natural sequential course. Plot sound familiar? The book was adapted into a 2009 film starring Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana, and a 2022 TV show starring Theo James and Rose Leslie .

Read more: 20 of the best Time Travel Films Ever Made

A Murder in Time

Kendra Donovan is a rising star at the FBI, until one disastrous raid when half her team is murdered and a mole in the FBI is uncovered. After she recovers from her wounds, she's determined to find the man responsible for the death of her team—yet upon her arrival in England, she stumbles back in time to 1815. Mistaken for a lady's maid, Kendra is forced to quickly adapt to the period as she figures out how to get back to her own timeline. There are five books in the Kendra Donovan series , so if you love a time travel mystery, don't miss these.

Author Octavia Butler is a queen of science fiction, and Kindred is her bestselling novel about time travel. In it, she tells the story of Dana, a Black woman, who is celebrating her 26th birthday in 1976. Abruptly, she's transported back to Maryland, circa 1815, where she's on a plantation and has to save Rufus, the white son of the plantation owner. It's not just a time travel book, but one that expertly weaves in narratives of enslaved people and explores the Antebellum South.

Faye, Faraway

Diana Gabaldon herself called Faye, Faraway "a lovely, deeply moving story of loss and love and memory made real , " so you know it's going to be good. The plot focuses on Faye, a mother of two, who lost her own mother, Jeanie, when she was just 8 years old. When Faye suddenly finds herself transported back in time, she befriends her mother—but doesn't let on who she really is. Eventually, she has to choose between her past and her future.

The Eyre Affair

In this version of Great Britain circa 1985, time travel is routine. Our protagonist is Thursday Next, a literary detective, who is placed on a case when someone begins kidnapping characters from works of literature and plucks Jane Eyre from the pages of Brontë's novel.

Bonus: The Eyre Affair is the first in a seven book series following Thursday.

The River of No Return: A Novel

Lord Nicholas Davenant is about to die in the Napoleonic Wars in 1812, and wakes up 200 years later. But he longs to return back in time to his love, Julia. When he arrives in modern society, a mysterious organization called the Guild tells him "there is no return," until one day, they summon him to London and he learns it's possible to travel back through time. A spy thriller that's also historical romance that's also time travel... Say less.

One Last Stop

Casey McQuiston's second novel ( following Red, White, and Royal blue, which is going to be a major motion picture this summer ) is a queer time-loop romance set on the Q train in New York City, and it's riveting. August is 23, working at a 24-hour diner, and meets a gorgeous, charming girl on the train: Jane. But she can't seem to meet up with her off the Q train—until they figure out Jane is stuck in time from the 1970s. How did she travel through time? Can August get Jane unstuck? Will they live happily ever after!? The questions abound.

What the Wind Knows

Anne Gallagher grew up hearing her grandfather’s stories of Ireland. When she returns to the country to spread his ashes, she is transported back in time to 1921—and is drawn into the struggle for Irish independence. There, she meets Dr. Thomas Smith, and must decide whether or not she should return to her own timeline or stay in the past. As one reviewer wrote on Amazon, What the Wind Knows is a "spectacular time travel journey filled with love and loss."

The Midnight Library: A Novel

Imagine a library with an infinite number of books—each containing an alternate reality about your life. That's the plot of The Midnight Library , where our protagonist Nora Seed enters different versions of her life. She undoes old breakups, follows her dream of becoming a glaciologist, and so much more—but what happens to her original life?

The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O.: A Novel

In this novel from Neal Stephenson and Nicole Galland, magic existed—until 1851. A secret government organization, the Department of Diachronic Operations (or D.O.D.O. for short), is dedicated to bringing magic back, and its members will travel through time to change history to do so. As Kirkus Reviews wrote , the novel "blend[s] time travel with Bourne-worthy skulduggery." It's a delight for any fans of science fiction, with a slow burn romance between military intelligence operator Tristan Lyons and linguist Melisande Stokes.

This Is How You Lose the Time War

Cowritten by two beloved and award-winning sci-fi writers, this epistolary romantic novel tells the story of two time-traveling rivals who fall in love. Agents Red and Blue travel back and forth throughout time, trying to alter universes on behalf of their warring empires—and start to leave each other messages. The messages begin taunting but soon turn flirtatious—and when Red's commander discovers her affection for Blue, they soon embark down a timeline they can't change.

The House on the Strand

Set at an ancient Cornish house called Kilmarth, where Daphne du Maurier lived from 1967, The House on the Strand story follows Dick Young, who has been offered use of Kilmarth by an old college friend, Magnus Lane. Magnus, a biophysicist, is developing a drug that enables people to travel back to the 14th century, and Dick reluctantly agrees to be a test subject. The catch: If you touch anyone, you're transported back to the present. As the story goes on, Dick's visits back to the 1300s become more frequent, and his life back in the modern world becomes unstable.

The Kingdoms

It’s 1898 and there’s a man named Joe, who lives in London, which is, in this alternate historical, a part of the French Empire as in this version of the past, Britain lost the Napoleonic Wars. Joe has gotten off a train from Scotland and cannot remember anything about who he is or where he’s from. He soon returns to his work, and after a few years, he is sent to repair a lighthouse in Eilean Mor in the Outer Hebrides. Joe then finds himself a century earlier, on a British boat with a mysterious captain, fighting the French and hoping for a future that is different than the one he came from. If you're into time travel and queer romance and alternate history, this is for you.

The Future of Another Timeline

In 1992, 17-year-old Beth agrees to help hide the dead body of her friend's abusive boyfriend. The murder sets Beth and her friends on "a path of escalating violence and vengeance" to protect other young women. In 2022, Tess decides to use time travel to fight for change around key moments in history. When Tess believes she's found a way to make an edit to history that actually sticks, she encounters a group of time travelers bent on stopping her at any cost. Tess and Beth's lives intertwine, and war breaks out across the timeline.

Shadow of Night

The sequel to A Discovery of Witches , the plot of Shadow of Night picks up right where the story left off: With Matthew, a vampire, and Diana, a witch, traveling back in time to Elizabethan London to search for an enchanted manuscript. You really need to read the first book before reading Shadow of Night , but the series by Deborah Harkness is a swoony magical romance.

And: It's now a TV show! ( Season one is streaming on Amazon Prime Video .)

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

In The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, the same day happens again and again. Each day, Evelyn Hardcastle is murdered at 11:00 p.m at Blackheath. And each day, our protagonist Aiden Bishop wakes up in the body of a different witness—and tries to solve her murder. He only has eight days, and it's a race against time to solve Evelyn's murder and to escape the time loop.

Recursion: A Novel

In 2018 New York City, detective Barry Sutton fails to talk Ann out of jumping off a building. But before Ann falls to her death, she tells him she is suffering from False Memory Syndrome—a new neurological disease where people are afflicted with memories of lives they never lived. The dissonance between their present and these memories drives them to death. This is best read unspoiled, but it's undoubtedly a time travel story you haven't read before.

On the eve of her wedding day, Shay Garrett looks into her grandmother's antique mirror and faints. When she wakes up, she's in the same house—but in the body of her grandmother, Brandy, as a young woman in 1900. And Brandy awakens in Shay's body in the present day in 1978. It's like Freaky Friday , but with time travel to the Victorian era.

Here and Now and Then

Kin Stewart is a time traveler from 2142, stuck in 1990s suburban San Francisco. A rescue team arrives to bring Kin back to his timeline—but 18 years too late. Does Kin stay with his "new" family, and the life he's built for himself in San Francisco, or does he return to his original timeline? He's stuck between two families—and ultimately, this is a time travel tale about fatherhood.

A Knight in Shining Armor

Originally published in 1989, this romance novel features a present-day heroine and a knight from the 16th century who fall in love. Per the book's description: "Abandoned by a cruel fate, lovely Dougless Montgomery lies weeping upon a cold tombstone in an English church. Suddenly, the most extraordinary man appears. It is Nicholas Stafford, Earl of Thornwyck…and according to his tombstone he died in 1564. Drawn to his side by a bond so sudden and compelling it overshadows reason, Dougless knows that Nicholas is nothing less than a miracle: a man who does not seek to change her, who finds her perfect, fascinating, just as she is. What Dougless never imagined was how strong the chains are that tie them to the past…or the grand adventure that lay before them."

Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals, and a range of other subjects. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma , a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram .

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Screen Rant

I'm shocked by how much house of the dragon season 2 makes me like king aegon, despite being team black.

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Warning: Contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 2, "Rhaenyra the Cruel."

• House of the Dragon season 2 gives King Aegon II Targaryen more depth and emotion, making him a more complex character to watch.
• Actor Tom Glynn-Carney shines as Aegon, adding humor and vulnerability to the character's portrayal in a standout performance.
• The show needed more balance between the Greens and Blacks, and Aegon helps with that.

House of the Dragon season 2 does a good job of developing its main characters, but I'm particularly surprised at the direction it's taken King Aegon II Targaryen in. With the Dance of the Dragons properly beginning, Aegon is getting more focus than before. While the show's real "main" characters are still Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower, the fact that Aegon is the one on the Iron Throne as the civil war begins demands he has more to do.

Aegon was fine in House of the Dragon season 1, but a combination of time jumps, recasts, and other characters - such as his father, King Viserys I Targaryen - meant he didn't get the same amount of depth as the likes of Rhaenyra and Alicent. That's changing in season 2, though. This is not me saying he's a good person - he's still a bad husband, a bad father, a bad king, and generally a piece of s**t - but it makes me like watching the character far more than I expected, especially after House of the Dragon season 2, episode 2's ending .

House Of The Dragon Season 2: 25 Biggest Book Changes

House of the Dragon is back with season 2, and there are already significant changes to the source material in George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood.

House Of The Dragon Season 2 Shows Different, Better Sides To King Aegon

He's a much more rounded character in season 2.

With King Aegon taking more of a central role in things - rather than the war just happening around him and in his name - it means getting to see different sides to the character. Some of these were present in season 1 - his reluctance to be king, for example - but season 2 is able to expand upon and add to them in fascinating ways.

His grief manifesting as rage is brilliantly done, and while, yes, he does viciously murder Blood, it's clearly portrayed as a very human response.

House of the Dragon season 2, episode 2 is a particularly great example of this. Following on from Blood and Cheese killing Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen , we get to see Aegon run through a variety of emotions. His grief manifesting as rage is brilliantly done, and while, yes, he does viciously murder Blood, it's clearly portrayed as a very human response.

Even better (and more surprising, to me) is Aegon's tearful breakdown towards the end of the episode. It balances perfectly with the fury from earlier on, showing just how far his grief extends and that, while he may be the king leading a civil war, he's also still very young and in no way prepared for any of this.

He's surrounded by people but incredibly isolated at the same time - a wife he can't communicate with, a brother who believes he should be king instead, a mother who can't even comfort him when he's crying. Again, I'm not saying this makes his deeds forgivable in any way, but it makes him into a much more layered character.

What King Aegon's Massive Otto Hightower Decision Means For House Of The Dragon

House of the Dragon season 2, episode 2 ends with King Aegon making a harsh decision about Otto Hightower's role, which has huge consequences to come.

Tom Glynn-Carney Is Giving One Of House Of The Dragon Season 2's Best Performances

The actor has stepped up to become one of the best parts of the cast.

Tom Glynn-Carney didn't leave much of a mark on me in season 1. That's not meant as an insult, he certainly wasn't bad, but House of the Dragon 's cast delivered so many great performances. Even among the younger ones, it was Ewan Mitchell who really stood out and caught the eye as Aemond Targaryen, as he was the more immediately compelling and entertaining of Alicent and Viserys' children.

House of the Dragon is pretty self-serious and often grim (understandably so), but Aegon - like Viserys before him - brings in an element of comedy that's much needed...

That's changed in season 2, and Glynn-Carney is giving one of the best performances of the entire season - second only, I'd argue, to Emma D'Arcy as Rhaenyra. The actor is nailing every aspect of the character so far, and finding lots of little nuances within them, giving him a much greater emotional range. He's great when portraying Aegon's anger, because he's never really frightening (unless you ask Blood, I guess), but instead you can see the cracks of vulnerability he's trying to cover up.

He's also bringing out one of the most important parts of the show, which is humor. House of the Dragon is pretty self-serious and often grim (understandably so), but Aegon - like Viserys before him - brings in an element of comedy that's much needed, and a lot of that is down to Glynn-Carney's performance and line delivery (his "abed?!" is a prime example). Crucially, like Paddy Considine before him, he finds the right balance between comedic and tragic, with a bit of pathetic thrown in, that makes him so enjoyable to watch, without needing to root for him, exactly.

Who King Aegon II's Heir Is & How Many Kids He & Helaena Have In House Of The Dragon

Following Blood & Cheese, Aegon II Targaryen is left without a son. So, who's his rightful heir to the Iron Throne now? Here's what we know.

House Of The Dragon Needed More Balance Between The Greens And The Blacks

The blacks were too obviously the "good guys" coming into season 2.

If I've got to pick a side between House of the Dragon 's Greens and Blacks , then I'm with the latter. Rhaenyra has the rightful claim based on being named Viserys' heir, and she's long been the most sympathetic character. The show has continually widened that gap, too: Aemond is great to watch, but he killed Lucerys, which makes the Blacks more sympathetic. The likes of Jacaerys Velaryon, Corlys Velaryon, and Rhaenys Targaryen are "good," while Otto Hightower, Aegon, Alicent Hightower, et al, are "bad," and Ser Criston Cole is the most loathsome character on TV right now.

However, good storytelling needs balance and nuance. Game of Thrones was at its best when it found moral conflicts with gray characters, rather than black and white, good vs. evil (though it had room for those). House of the Dragon is no different. The more complex and empathetic it can make the Greens, the better the show will be, and I think its characterization of Aegon - alongside more obvious tragedies such as the impact of Blood and Cheese upon Helaena - goes a long way to doing that, and makes it a much more interesting watch.

New episodes of House of the Dragon season 2 release Sundays at 9pm ET on HBO and Max.

House of the Dragon

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Taking place about 172 years before the events of Game of Thrones , House of the Dragon tells the tale of the rise of the Targaryens, the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria. The popular HBO spinoff show first starred Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower before they were replaced by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, who play the older versions of the characters. Also starring in the series is Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen) and Paddy Considine as Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys Targaryen.

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‘One Day a Year’ novel set to be released tomorrow 

Jason Lamont Jones is the author of the book “One Day a Year,” which he describes as “Back to the Future meets National Treasure.” He promises an engaging blend of time travel and historical fiction centered around history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The book is set to debut tomorrow.

The story follows Benny Jones, a modern-day teenager who discovers a method to travel back in time but is only able to do it one day a year on July 24, Utah’s Pioneer Day. His adventures lead him to fall in love with Mary Young, Brigham Young’s daughter, but he can only travel back seven times and each time he returns, their bond becomes more unbreakable. With forces conspiring to keep them apart, Benny needs to find a way to stay with Mary or risk losing her forever.

Jones drew the inspiration for the novel through his own experiences and surroundings, which came from his frequent walks around Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Originally writing “One Day a Year” as a screenplay, he received a suggestion to transform it into a book. Being hesitant at first, he embraced the challenge, which ultimately led to the novel’s creation.

“I kept seeing these historic buildings and monuments and became really interested,” he said. “I remember looking over the city and thinking, ‘You know, what would the city look like right after the saints had arrived?’ And that started this idea of, ‘What if I had somebody in the present go back to the past?’ Which kicked off the ideas for the story.”

Balancing historical accuracy with creative storytelling, Jones based several characters on real historical figures, like Brigham Young himself. He also included an ancestor of his own, Benjamin Jones, who traveled west with Brigham Young. The main character, he said, was also heavily inspired by his own son, Benny Jones, who was named after their pioneer ancestor.

“(Writing) Brigham Young was really interesting. We usually think about him as the Church leader, the prophet, and I decided to focus more on Brigham Young as the father, so he’s the father of the girl that this stranger has taken interest in. I kind of show Brigham Young as being a little bit protective of his family and how all that works out.”

Jones is nothing short of excited to see fans’ reactions to his work. He’s been working on the novel for years and finally being able to hold a physical copy of his book was a great milestone for Jones. Despite the long process, Jones says the journey was rewarding. His book is being released tomorrow and if you’d like to purchase your own copy of “One Day a Year,” it is available on his website jlamontjones.com .

Travel Team

43 pages • 1 hour read

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Almost every character gets involved with basketball in one way or another. Throughout the novel, Danny learns about the value of players, teamwork, and how to coach because of the competition between teams. More than anything, basketball is a way for Danny to escape the world, focusing on improving his skills. At one point, Tess comments that “[t]his is your own little basketball world back here, and nobody can screw things up” (240). Several times throughout the novel, Danny goes to practice alone in his driveway to think through problems. In fact, in the beginning of the novel, when Danny receives the news that he didn’t make the travel team, he goes out and practices until dark in the square of the driveway where he feels like he can escape the world. Later, the night before the game against the Vikings, Danny goes out there after talking to his dad as a way of coping with the nerves that accompany the eve of a big game. 

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Do You Know Where These Classic Novels Are Set?

By J. D. Biersdorfer June 24, 2024

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A strong sense of place can deeply influence a story, and in some cases, the setting can even feel like a character itself. With the summer travel season in mind, this week’s quiz highlights five classic 20th-century novels that are set in locations that were, still are or have become popular vacation destinations over the years. To play, just make your selection in the multiple-choice list and the correct answer will be revealed. Links to the books will be listed at the end of the quiz if you’d like to do further reading.

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s last completed novel during his lifetime was “Tender Is the Night,” which was published in 1934. The book, about a young psychiatrist and his ailing wife, is set during the last days of the Jazz Age in which coastal European vacation spot?

Italian Riviera

Spanish Riviera

Romanian Riviera

French Riviera

“Ship of Fools,” Katherine Anne Porter’s 1962 novel that took her 22 years to write and publish, is about a cruise ship full of disparate individuals bound for Germany in a time between the world wars. The ship departs from the major seaport town of Veracruz in which country?

United States of America

E.R. Braithwaite’s autobiographical 1959 novel “To Sir, With Love,” about a young teacher dealing with race and class in the postwar era, takes place in which national capital (and perpetual tourist magnet)?

“The Old Man and the Sea” is Ernest Hemingway’s 1952 short novel that won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction and was mentioned by the Swedish Academy when he was awarded the 1954 Nobel Prize in Literature. Which country is home to the old man in the book — a place that was a popular tourist destination for Americans until the early 1960s?

Ngaio Marsh’s 1943 crime thriller “Colour Scheme” is set during World War II in this scenic land — which had a huge tourism boom of its own in the early 21st century thanks to fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” books and their movie adaptations that were filmed here. Which country is it?

New Zealand

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Notoriously reluctant to give advice, the author Cormac McCarthy offered his views, and meticulous edits,  to a lifelong friend: Roger Payne, the marine biologist who introduced the world to whale song.

The pandemic fueled a boom in social justice movements and indie bookstores . The two come together in these worker-owned shops.

Young people in Europe are choosing to read in English  even if it is not their first language because they want the covers, and the titles, to match what they see on TikTok and other social media.

New Orleans is a thriving hub for festivals, music and Creole cuisine. The novelist Maurice Carlos Ruffin shared books that capture the city’s many cultural influences .

Each week, top authors and critics join the Book Review’s podcast to talk about the latest news in the literary world. Listen here .

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A Record-Breaking Amount of Travel Will Happen This Summer — Here's How Peak Travel Seasons Impact Payment Fraud As summer 2024 expects record-breaking travel, businesses affected by tourism must tackle increased fraud and chargeback risks head-on.

By Monica Eaton Edited by Micah Zimmerman Jun 18, 2024

Key Takeaways

• Companies must adopt effective chargeback management strategies to prepare for record-breaking travel.
• By adopting these strategies, travel operators can successfully navigate the busy season, protect their bottom line and enhance the overall travel experience.

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Summer is just around the corner, and with it comes an influx of vacationers ready to explore new destinations. As the summer travel season begins, businesses operating within travel and hospitality must adopt robust strategies to manage the anticipated increase in transaction volumes and fraud risks. These strategies must also effectively manage disputes and chargebacks during a peak travel period that's expected to break records.

Americans are still choosing to prioritize their vacations despite challenges like international unrest and rising prices. Projections from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) suggest we'll see a record-breaking summer travel season in 2024 , with officials anticipating the busiest travel season ever.

52% of consumers say they plan to travel as much in 2024 as last year, with another 40% saying they expect to travel even more . These prospective travelers already have significant budgets set aside for these trips.

Millennials and Gen Z are the driving forces behind this trend. People in this cohort tend to prioritize experiences over material goods and seek a healthy work-life balance to explore new places and cultures. They're also heavily influenced by social media, where many influencers showcase travel as part of an aspirational lifestyle.

This surge in travel drives global business at every level of the economy, but it also creates a heightened sense of risk. For businesses, effectively managing fraud and chargeback risk year-round is crucial to navigating the travel space.

Let's explore the best strategies and tactics for managing these threats, whether in-house, hybrid or outsourced, and why asking for help might be the most effective course of action this year.

Related: How a Bad Billing Descriptor Can Cost You

The challenges ahead

While a travel boom is fantastic for businesses and local economies, it poses significant challenges that underscore the necessity of comprehensive fraud and chargeback management. An exceptionally busy travel season can aggravate existing chargeback triggers already intrinsic to the travel space. We may see:

• Increased Transaction Volume . The sheer volume of transactions during peak travel seasons makes managing and monitoring every transaction closely difficult. This increased volume can overwhelm internal systems, leading to errors and delays in handling disputes, contributing to more chargebacks.
• Fraudulent Activities . Fraudsters take advantage of the busy season, knowing that the high transaction volumes can mask their activities. From fake travel deals to phishing emails, the types of fraud targeting travelers are diverse and sophisticated, increasing the likelihood of chargebacks from unauthorized transactions.
• Overbooked Flights and Hotel Shortages . High demand can lead to overbooked flights and sold-out hotels. When travelers are bumped from flights or denied rooms, dissatisfaction spikes. So, too, does the number of chargebacks as customers dispute charges for services they didn't receive.
• Poor Customer Service . Understaffing is common during peak periods, resulting in longer wait times, unresolved complaints and poor service. Frustrated customers often turn to chargebacks to resolve their grievances when they feel neglected or mistreated.
• Operational Strain . Handling a surge in transactions requires a well-prepared operational setup. Without it, companies might fail to process payments and refunds promptly, further aggravating customers and leading to more disputes and chargebacks.
• Financial and Reputational Impact . Chargebacks result in financial losses due to refunds and fees. However, they also damage a company's reputation with customers and hurt their relationships with financial institutions. High chargeback rates can result in higher processing fees and, in severe cases, the loss of merchant processing privileges.

Considering what's at stake, you can see why it's incredibly urgent to prioritize effective chargeback management. Aside from saving time and money, it can also help boost customer trust during the peak travel season.

Managing chargebacks: In-house, hybrid or outsourced?

Travel operators can adopt one of three chargeback management strategies to handle the increased demand and the potential challenges outlined above.

First, they can manage everything in-house. This involves maintaining a dedicated team to manage disputes , enhance customer support and refine fraud detection systems. While this approach offers direct control, it can be resource-intensive and requires constant updates and training to stay updated on new fraud tactics and regulatory changes.

A second option is to outsource everything. This allows travel companies to benefit from specialized expertise and advanced technologies without the burden of maintaining an in-house team. Third-party providers can offer scalable solutions, real-time fraud detection and comprehensive chargeback prevention strategies. However, it can also mean that merchants lack insight.

As a third option, merchants can try taking a more hybrid approach. Combining internal efforts with external support lets businesses leverage advanced technologies and knowledge from third-party providers while retaining some control over the process. This approach provides a balance between direct oversight and external expertise.

Related: How to Fight Fraud and Chargebacks Should Regulation Fail

Industry collaboration

As we gear up for a record-setting summer, it's clear that improved industry collaboration could be the key to addressing fraud and chargebacks.

We could consider the transformative potential of open data and artificial intelligence (AI) within the tourism industry. Combining an open data strategy with AI can enhance decision-making processes, helping to personalize customer experiences and optimize operations.

By harnessing open data, businesses can gain valuable insights into traveler preferences and behaviors. This insight can be refined using AI to forecast trends and tailor services.

Related: Think You Can't Win Against Chargebacks? Think Again.

Open data and AI will have a much more symbiotic relationship in the future. The kind of collective effort that open data demands will create a more secure environment for our customers and protect our businesses from the financial strain of chargebacks. These technologies promise to boost efficiency and innovation in tourism, help manage threats and enhance the overall travel experience.

Ultimately, travel operators need to be proactive. By adopting the right strategies and fostering collaboration across the industry, operators can thrive during this busy travel season and create a better experience for all travelers.

Entrepreneur Leadership Network® Contributor

Founder of Chargebacks911

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

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Abortion rights supporters in Cedar Rapids protest ahead of Iowa abortion law ruling

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - It’s the two year anniversary of the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, and Iowa’s supreme court is set to make a ruling on Iowa’s abortion law.

Abortion rights supporters in Cedar Rapids protested against Iowa’s so-called fetal heartbeat law.

“Those rights being taken away, maybe we took them for granted for too long, but when they’re taken away it’s terrifying for a woman to know you might not always have the same freedoms you’ve been afforded,” said Brenda Wheeler, an abortion rights supporter.

Abortions are currently banned after 20 weeks, but Iowa’s the so-called fetal heartbeat law that the Iowa Supreme Court at is considering would ban abortions after six weeks gestation, which is before many women know they’re pregnant.

Abortion rights supporters are concerned the near-total ban could force women to travel across state lines for abortions.

“This is their last option”, said Eliza Etten, a protest organizer. “They can’t afford to have a kid, they can barely afford to have the abortion and not do that, and now they have to do travel expenses.”

One of the main concerns among the protest’s abortion rights supporters is that an abortion ban won’t actually stop abortions, but instead force some women to have unsafe abortions.

“It’s very dangerous to try to induce an abortion at home. Women will take poisons to do it, they’ll use clothes hangers. They’re in desperate situations,” said Kathy Geronzin, a speaker at the protest.

Several organizations attended today’s protest, including indivisible Iowa, who set up a table to register voters.

Indivisible Iowa said the best way to make your voice heard on this issue is to vote.

Copyright 2024 KCRG. All rights reserved.

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This New Book Is Reframing How We Think About Tourism

By Nora Biette-Timmons

The sun was finally peaking through the storm clouds when I cracked open The New Tourist on a train headed out of Amsterdam . I’d absolutely loved the city, even in pouring rain—canals around every corner, beautiful public parks, some of the most charming architecture I’d ever encountered. But I’d also spent the vast majority of my time outside the inner ring, venturing into the historic, heavily touristed city center just once, to hop on a boat tour. I’d wanted to avoid being part of the overcrowding that much of Amsterdam has experienced due to a surge in tourism in recent years. (In 2010, there were 5.3 million overnight hotel stays in the city. Last year, there were 9.4 million . Complaining about tourism is now a frequent refrain among locals and visitors alike.) Put less charitably, I wanted to avoid any possibility of being mistaken for a “tourist” in the most pejorative sense.

Right away in the introduction to The New Tourist , Paige McClanahan gently told me off. “A lot of people are uncomfortable with the word ‘tourist,’ at least when it’s aimed in their direction,” she writes. “It irks me that some people insist on a distinction between ‘travelers’ and ‘tourists,’ where the former are explorer types […] while the latter are philistines who are content with cliched, mass-market experiences.”

The New Tourist , by Paige McClanahan, reminds readers of the powers and perils of travel.

This nuanced approach to tourism is baked into the premise of The New Tourist, a new book perfectly summarized by its subtitle: “waking up to the power and perils of travel.” A “new tourist,” argues McClanahan, engages with the people who live in the place they’re visiting, and ideally does activities on locals’ terms, not those of corporate chains or extractive behemoths. A “new tourist” is also aware of the tourism industry’s impact on climate change (historically, at least 8% of greenhouse gas emissions come from tourism, a percentage that’s likely increased significantly in recent years), and how certain activities impact local ecosystems in places like Hawaii , Iceland, and the Alps.

McClanahan also considers the forces that drive us and our fellow tourists to head to a certain location (a government’s effective tourism campaign, for example, or our colleagues’ Instagram posts), in one chapter describing the policy choices that led Amsterdam to becoming the heavily-touristed, famed party city it is today—and recent attempts to reverse that reputation, including a campaign to tell bachelor parties to stay away.

Yet McClanahan remains unwavering in her belief that tourism can be a net good—for individual travelers, for destinations, and for the world. In her last chapter, she cites the British writer G. K. Chesterton, who wrote of the joy of “friendship between nations that is actually founded on differences,” in his 1922 book, What I Saw in America . Though it was published over 100 years ago, McClanahan says this idea perfectly illustrates her conception of a “new tourist.”

I sat down with the author to talk about the motivations behind this concept, her own traveling experiences, reporting visits to Kerala , Liverpool, Saudi Arabia, and Disneyland Paris, and how our attitudes towards tourism are slowly shifting.

A “new tourist,” argues McClanahan, engages with the people who live in the place they’re visiting, and ideally does activities on locals’ terms, not those of corporate chains or extractive behemoths.

There’s so much interesting reporting in The New Tourist , but I’m always very curious about what authors couldn’t fit in the book. What darlings did you have to kill?

I wrote two whole chapters that are nowhere in the book. The very first trip I took for the book was to Israel and Palestine. I had heard about a tour company that really tries to use tourism as a force for peace, and I wanted to go see this in action. I spent eight or nine days in Israel and Palestine; I joined a group trip that was really transformational, and I watched the people in this group—mostly American Jews visiting Palestine for the first time—have these really eye opening moments and it was super powerful. Then of course, the war broke out.

I also wrote a whole chapter on Pompeii , focusing on UNESCO heritage sites, and the political power of UNESCO—and also the kind of complex effects of UNESCO listing, because it's not always necessarily a good thing for a place. I ended up weaving a bit about UNESCO into the Liverpool chapter, and how [that city] walked away from the UNESCO listing. But I wanted to keep the book pretty tight and readable, and really whet people's appetites for these topics, so Pompeii also ended up on the cutting room floor.

You make the point that travel and tourism, which are so baked into the global economy, and obviously various global forces—whether economic or political or what have you—are changing on a regular basis. How did you approach these live issues?

I was really nervous going to Saudi Arabia first of all—and then to write about Saudi Arabia. I included in the book an example of a reader that was pushing back on [my article about tourism in Saudi Arabia for the New York Times ]. I was nervous to write about it in what's objectively a pretty positive light for all the reasons that you can imagine. I was kind of torn, thinking like, “Okay, this is a country that's known for its horrific human rights record, and I'm gonna go and write something positive.” But my guiding light in all of my writing and all my journalism is to give an accurate portrayal of what I experienced, or if I'm interviewing someone, give an accurate portrayal of that person's voice. And so the resulting chapter is what happened to me; this is the truth of my experience.

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Over the course of the week I was in Saudi Arabia, I had five or six really powerful interactions with women, very unexpectedly: one woman I was sitting next to train; another sort of like, a colleague of the guy who was sitting next to me on the flight as I was coming in to Jeddah. The story with Fatima [a female tour guide who showed me around Riyadh and told me, among other things, about her intent to divorce her husband, which a recent rule changed allowed her to do] wasn't that unique, really. So I thought, okay, this felt representative of other things I had experienced too. But I was nervous to put that in there. We'll see what the broader reactions are.

You share similar behind-the-scenes anecdotes throughout the book, and I really appreciate these peeks into your thought process and how editors and readers respond. It gives a very clear picture of what actually went on in the making of this book, and there's no omniscient “great white man” voice, which has often plagued travel writing.

That’s kind of what I wanted to say right out front in the introduction: Hey, I don't have the answers here . This is something that I really discussed with my agent and my book editor; should we have some prescriptive stuff at the end, a list of do's and don'ts? But like, who am I to tell people what to do? I really don't have the answers, but what I can do is encourage people to explore with a certain mindset and with a certain level of humility. I make bad decisions just like everybody else, but let's all try, right? Why don't you come along with me while I try? And let's see where that leads us together. I really want to invite the reader to come with me, and that's kind of why I wanted to show some of the behind the scenes stuff.

Your source in Barcelona used the word “gentrification” to describe how the city has become more and more unlivable for local residents. But then in Riyadh, you describe scenes very similar to what you experienced in Barcelona—“We're eating eggs Benedict, and I can get all the toiletries I want”—yet the locals you met there don’t take issue with these changes brought on by Westernization or gentrification. As a visitor, how did you experience this difference, or was there much difference at all?

Riyadh is at the earliest stages [of its tourism industry] and Barcelona’s at the overdone kind of stage [according to Butler's Tourism Area Life Cycle ]. So how do we know that Riyadh isn't going to turn into Barcelona in 20, 30 years from now? Or that we’re not going to be writing about the problem of over-tourism, or gentrification, or that locals can no longer live the way they want to live?

I wanted to show places at different points on that tourism spectrum [and treat them] as a sort of a cautionary tale. It’s the “yes, and…” Yes, there's huge opportunity: It can give a place an enormous amount of income, which can translate into reputation and power and control over the vision of a city and how it's going to develop. At the same time there are all these pitfalls, you know, and Amsterdam and Barcelona both went hard on tourism and then oversold and ended up with the consequences. As [worldwide] tourism is expected to just grow and grow faster than the global economy over the next several years, more places need to be paying very close attention to what's happening or what has happened in Amsterdam and Barcelona and Venice, places like that, so they can ride the high of that early promise of tourism without overdoing it.

A point I wanted to make in the book is that these are really policy challenges in the end. Something that bothers me is when I see media that seems to be blaming travelers for tourism challenges. Of course we're all implicated, and we all have agency, we all need to make informed decisions—but every single tourist who visited Barcelona and Amsterdam at the height of their popularity was doing exactly what the local government had paid an enormous amount of money to have them do. It’s that “yes, and” again: Yes, we should be careful and, governments, really, the buck stops with you.

Yes! We’re not pawns, but we exist within a system that points us within certain directions. That argument was one of the many sections in this book that spoke to things I’ve thought about a lot but never really looked into.

I can't tell you how many times in the last five, six years where I meet somebody at a party, or a parent at my kids’ school, and they ask what I do. And when I say, “I’m a journalist, I write about tourism,” people are automatically like, “Oh my god, I try to take the train whenever.” Or when I say I’m writing a book about tourism, they're like, “I always look for little boutique hotels.”

People are really thinking critically about their own travels in a way that I don't think many of us were five or 10 years ago. I think the pandemic—that pause and then restart—and [the increasing number of] headlines about the problems of tourism means a lot of us feel kind of implicated and maybe have a sense of shame or confusion about it. We're looking for guidance. I feel like my reader for this book is somebody who wants to travel, who loves to explore, and who has a little nagging voice in their head, like, “Oh god, did I make a bad decision that one time, or am I going about it the right way?” That's my reader. I feel like there are so many of us now who are in that position.

On that note, are there any other books you’d recommend for people who finish yours and want to read more about thoughtful tourism?

The Last Resort , by Sarah Stodola, about the history and the evolution of the beach resort. That’s one of the only other books I’ve seen that takes a sort of journalistic lens [on the travel industry], but she really focuses on beaches.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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