Three Years In The Making: FORKS. A Quest for Culture, Cuisine, and Connection

Three Years. Five Continents. One Motorcycle. WorldRider, Allan Karl turns to crowdfunding to help realize his vision for this book, which lets readers experience the world through inspiring stories, beautiful photography, and delicious food from 35 different countries.
Rather than compromise his vision by using traditional publishers, who wanted to simplify his book, author Allan Karl decided to turn to crowdfunding for the printing of the first-edition. On September 23, 2013, Allan Karl’s book, FORKS. A Quest for Culture, Cuisine, and Connection, became available for pre-order on Kickstarter.
Karl’s book brings to life his three-year global adventure in a unique full-color, oversized hardcover book. FORKS— three more years in the making—incorporates more than 500 original color photographs and 40 recipes from all over the world to complement and enhance Karl’s stories of discovery and human connection.
“The best way to experience the world,” says Karl, “is to see it through photos, to feel it through stories of connection and culture, and to taste it in the local food.”
Along with the book, collector-edition postcards, photographic prints, personalized coaching sessions, and keynote speeches are some of the rewards that supporters can expect from pledging on Kickstarter. An intimate dinner party is another of Karl’s rewards. “I would love to travel to your home, help prepare meals from the book, and share more stories of adventure,” adds Karl. Rewards start at $10, and books can be pre-ordered for as little as $45.
For three years Karl rode his BMW GS motorcycle more than 60,000 miles over five continents, through 35 countries. As with any adventure there were highs and lows. While in Bolivia he crashed and broke his leg, in the Colombian jungle he was escorted to a remote waterfall at gunpoint, and the governments of Syria and Sudan had to be pleaded with for passage through their countries.