Seven League Boots

Richard Halliburton's fifth and last book, Seven League Boots, illustrates how he followed the orders to move fast, visit strange places, and meet anyone who was interesting with passion and abandon. America's favorite adventure writer dined with, Haile Selassie and rode the Rhinocerous Express in Ethiopia, had an audience with King Ibn Saud outside the gates of Mecca (which he had tried to sneak into), and finally rode an elephant over the Alps, following the tracks of Hannibal. This is Halliburton at his best, reckless and romantic, and it is the last chapter of a life grown tragic. Nearing 40, physically exhausted, and in financial trouble, Halliburton thought to roll the dice once again, hoping that the charm that had always saved him in the past would materialize one more time. Soon after finishing this book, he embarked on his last, fatal, journey.