To say that Rick Antonson is driven is something of an understatement. He published three books, circumnavigated the globe researching them and laying the groundwork for book #4, wrote a play, – all the while as the CEO of Tourism Vancouver. He retired from that job in the summer of 2014 and God knows what he has in the planning stages now that he has free time!
I first met him in 1985 when he was an executive at local Vancouver publisher Douglas & McIntyre. He was leaving publishing while I was entering the business but it was hard not to admire his controlled energy and curiosity about all things.
He subsequently moved over to the tourism industry and we reunited in 2006 when he presented his journey to Timbuktu manuscript to us for consideration.The rest is, as they say, history. We sold To Timbuktu for a Haircut first to a Canadian house (Dundurn) and an American house (Skyhorse)and then book #2 ,Route 66 Still Kicks ,was published.
Book #3, Full Moon Over Noah’s Ark, An Odyssey to Mount Ararat in New York will be released by Skyhorse in April 2016. The book takes readers along with Antonson through the shadows and broad landscapes of Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Armenia, shedding light on a troubled but fascinating area of the world. Rick is busy researching his next travel destination and that could be literally anywhere in the world!
Rick is also co-author of other books with his brother Brian and writer Mary Trainor. The most successful is Slumach’s Gold: The Making of a Legend (Heritage House) which has sold over 10,000 copies.
Book Reviews
To 
Timbuktu for a Haircut: A Journey Through West Africa
“Anyone interested in travelling to Africa should put Antonson’s book on the list, right after malaria tablets.”
– The National Post“As with all great travel memoirs, Antonson’s journey is about self-discovery and arrival at the final destination; that is, it is part personal odyssey and part social history.”
– Chicago Tribune“Chapters are nicely embroidered with local tones and textures, a regional history of West Africa, the Tuareg people and accounts of early European exploration.”
– The Globe and Mail“To Timbuktu for a Haircut is a great read – a little bit of Bill Bryson, a little bit of Michael Palin, and quite a lot of Bob Hope on the road to Timbuktu. Once started, you simply don’t want to come to the end.”
– Professor Geoffrey Lipman UNWTO Assistant Secretary-General“Great characters, great stories, and truly great adventures. Not to mention … a great read.”
– Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor, CBS News
Route 66 Still Kicks: Driving America’s Main Street
“One of the best books of the bunch.”
– The New York Times (2012 round-up of holiday travel books)“His tale is a middle-age Woodstock in motion, an encounter with an America that isn’t as lost as we think … And in the end Antonson proves that Route 66 indeed still kicks — as does America.”
Keith Bellows, Editor-in-Chief, National Geographic Traveler“A must for Route 66 aficionados.”
– Chicago Tribune“The most impressive account of a road trip I have ever read.”
– Paul Taylor, Publisher, Route 66 magazine“I have traveled Route 66 more times than a long-haul trucker and this book is going to become one of the classics of the road … solid proof that Route 66 still kicks.”
– Route 66 Pulse“It was by far the best book I have read about the Road in many, many years. An excellent read … Highly recommended.”
– Bob Moore co-author of The Complete Guidebook to Route 66 and The Complete Atlas to Route 66“Antonson’s most impressive feat in Route 66 Still Kicks is how he incorporates history into the narrative. Even those familiar with the stories of Will Rogers, Cyrus Avery, Mickey Mantle or Al Capone will find them rendered by Antonson in a fresh way. Highly recommended.”
– Route 66 News“This is America’s favourite highway talking, and Antonson is a superb enabler, so sit back and relax as Route 66 gives up its legendary stories.”
– Peter Greenberg, travel editor, CBS Evening News
