The Backpacking Centurion series is a travel‑memoir trilogy (with a later fourth volume) by Jonny Blair, a Northern Irish writer and globetrotter based in Poland. It chronicles his solo backpacking journey to reach 100 countries, weaving personal history, adventure, and emotional insight along the way. Goodreads+11northernirishmaninpoland.com+11eCampus.com+11
📚 Overview of the Series
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Volume 1 – Don’t Look Back in Bangor
This opens the trilogy, covering Jonny’s early life from his upbringing in Bangor, Northern Ireland, through teenage escapades and first overseas trips. It spans the years 1980 to approximately 2008, tracing growth from local day trips to adventurous journeys across Belarus, China, Poland, and more. northernirishmaninpoland.com+9Goodreads+9Angus & Robertson+9 -
Volume 2 – Lands Down Under
The story picks up as Jonny relocates to Australia and Hong Kong, marking the serious beginning of his quest to travel extensively. This book ramps up the backpacking pace and intensity in new environments. Travelling Hong Kong Girl+3eCampus.com+3Travelling Hong Kong Girl+3 -
Volume 3 – Taints and Honours
Serving as the finale of the original trilogy, this volume captures the final stages of Jonny’s mission. Highlights include his realization in Jordan of having lived away ten years, travels through the Caucasus, Middle East, a World Cup in Brazil, daring visits in El Salvador, Iraq, and ultimately flying to Tunisia to hit the 100‑country mark. Expect raw travel experiences—as Jonny himself warns of “trauma, distress, anguish and all that tends towards a true whackpacking madliness.” northernirishmaninpoland.com+8Goodreads+8Travelling Hong Kong Girl+8 -
Volume 4 – The Black Volume
Although the trilogy was originally meant to be complete, Blair later released a fourth volume that includes stories deemed too intense (“gruesome, gory, crazy, zany”) for the earlier books. It offers deeper, unfiltered reflections on the full 100-country odyssey. Goodreads+1Angus & Robertson+1Angus & Robertson
✨ Themes & Style
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Authentic voice: Jonny shares highs, lows, humour, regret, mental health struggles, and personal growth—all delivered with honesty and wit. northernirishmaninpoland.comGoodreads
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Chronological journey: From childhood in Ireland to realising his dream of visiting 100 nations, the books offer a chronological narrative woven with reflection and emotion.
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Adventure & culture: Each volume records encounters with diverse places, cultures, festivals, and challenges—from football matches to remote borders and hidden microstates. Travelling Hong Kong Girl+7Goodreads+7Travelling Hong Kong Girl+7Angus & Robertson+1Porchlight Book Company+1
📖 Suggested Reading Order
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Volume 1: Don’t Look Back in Bangor
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Volume 2: Lands Down Under
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Volume 3: Taints and Honours
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(Optional) Volume 4: The Black Volume (for extended, rawer content)
🧳 Who Should Read It?
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Fans of travel memoirs and adventure stories.
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Readers curious about long-term, globe‑spanning travel and personal transformation.
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Those interested in mental health + travel perspective, presented with fearless authenticity.
My Book Anthology
Buy my Backpacking Centurion book series –
Volume 1 – Don’t Look Back In Bangor
Volume 2 – Lands Down Under
Volume 3 – Taints And Honours
Volume 4 – The Black Volume
Buy my This Is The Next Century Series –
Volume 1 – Aftershot
Volume 2 – Starogard Girl
Volume 3 – Fool Circle
Volume 4 – The Darker Volume
By my book on Supporting The Northern Ireland International Football Team – Champian Stewartnova
Buy my story on How A Northern Irishman Ended Up In Poland – I Went To Gdansk With Somebody
Buy my First Ever Travel Blog
Buy my Guide to Hiking the Inca Trail in Peru
My travelling Northern Ireland flag website – http://www.travellingnorthernirelandflag.com/
My Social Media
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