Driving with Strangers

Jonathan Purkis is a writer, independent academic and musician. He grew up in Hull, studied and later taught sociology at several English universities, and has published many works on environmental protest and anarchism. Since 1982, he’s covered 40,198 miles by thumb and travelled with 1309 total strangers. He’s hitched with his border collie, a guitar, two ice axes and half a drum kit (although not at the same time).

'This book is an ambitious, comprehensive and fascinating celebration of the righteous pursuit of hitchhiking. I hope it inspires new hitchers and convinces uncertain readers.' Amy Liptrot, author of The Outrun'A marvelous, profound look at the art of hitchhiking: it is a journeying, questing book, opening up avenues of exploration, following curiosity-paths, creating networks of thoughts and discursive, fascinating politics. This is a book with a world within its covers: I am richer for having read it.'Jay Griffiths, writer and author of Wild: An Elemental Journey'At a time when cultivating human connection has never been more important, Driving with strangers is a wonderful tribute to the great art of hitchhiking and what it can teach us. Purkis takes us on a fascinating journey and opens up worlds of wisdom, story, and possibility. This is a captivating book that pays tribute to the remarkable power of the thumb to connect humanity.'Ruairí McKiernan, Irish Times No. 1 bestselling author of Hitching for Hope: A Journey into the Heart and Soul of Ireland 'The hope expressed in Driving with Strangers is that the continuing presence of young hitchhikers – long before middle age when most of us, including Purkis himself, appear to give it up – and others who share their general outlook means an alternative future remains possible. Though the capacity-building and political re-imagining that Purkis would like to see emerge seems almost unrealisable in these conflictual and alienating times, we should not forget the mutuality and generosity that were brought to the forefront of everyday life during the COVID-19 pandemic. If that could be harnessed in a political movement, we might even find ourselves hitchhiking again.' Professor Tim Newburn, LSE Review of Books'Whether you are a scholar or a (former) hitchhiker, I reckon it will be difficult for you not to like Jonathan Purkis' book.'Patrick Laviolette, Sociology'From the emotion of the first ever "thumb out" experience and the immediate discovery of all manner of life on the road, through to the fascinating unfolding history of how hitching has ebbed and flowed through the decades. Crossing continents, political time-zones and yesteryear travel scenes, this delightful narrative continues through to today’s world of technology dominated travel environments. On the basis that travel will always be a force for good, enhanced by direct human communications, Jonathan Purkis’ commentary, observations and stories will remain travel relevant for further decades to come. A cracking read and wonderful journey.'Jono Vernon-Powell, Founder and Managing Director, Nomadic Thoughts (Worldwide Travel)'Purkis sees hitchhiking as a symbol of an alternative economic system and more sensible way of interacting between people than the doomed conditions that now prevail.'Svenska Dagbladet

• Prologue: ‘A Romantic, gallant and even brilliant adventure’1 The intention of a tradition: Definitions of hitchhiking2 How to think like a hitchhiker: An introduction to vagabond sociology3 In search of Woody Guthrie: Singing the politics of hitchhiking4 ‘Maybe we will meet a nice person’: Hitchhiking, conflict, human nature5 The great European adventure trail: Hitchhiking as a measure of freedom6 The Alaska Highway hitchhiker’s visitor’s book: The personality of the ‘extreme hitchhiker’7 The power of the gift without return: Hitchhiking as economic allegory8 The myth of the great decline: Hitchhiking and the increasing levels of trust in the world9 Climatic dangers: Hitchhiking and the relative realities of risk10 Good news from Vilnius: The rich life of hitchhiking in former communist countries11 A prescription for hitchhiking? Travel and talk in the age of pandemics and extinctionAfterword: The bookcase at the end of the roadAcknowledgments: A hitchhiker’s guide to the journeyNotesBibliography