Reviews

As Jacqueline Lambert points out in Building the Beast, there is a fine line between admiration and condemnation for those leading the nomadic life. How many of us would even consider selling up, leaving home, and traveling the world in a van? There are countless motor caravans for sale, but what if you want to build one to your own specifications? This is the story of how Jackie and Mark did just that. They bought an ex-Army truck, sight unseen, that they christened The Beast. Over several months, they converted it into an eco-friendly, self-sufficient home on wheels against horrendous odds. They battled with the COVID restrictions in three countries, the unwillingness of the majority of their suppliers, and the disastrous fire that rendered their rental home uninhabitable. The people they hired worked when they felt like it and missed one deadline after another. The tension built as the day they were destined to be homeless drew nearer. Jackie and husband Mark had traveled extensively in Europe in a smaller caravan, but Jackie’s dream was to drive to Mongolia. The presenter of a popular television series in Britain popped in to record their progress, and the days flew past. Jackie explains the progress from the beginning to the end and the work and expertise that goes into constructing a home on wheels and proves it is more extensive than building a static house on land. I enjoyed reading Building the Beast by Jacqueline Lambert as I learned so much about how a house on wheels is put together. I never expected it to be so complicated. An excellent example of this was the batons erected to protect the solar panels from overhanging tree branches; that would never even have crossed my mind. I loved the way each chapter began with a timeline of how many days the renovation had taken and the countdown to the latest deadline, and several of those were missed. The book was also a reminder of the on-off/on-off lockdown restrictions for Covid in the United Kingdom, and the extra problems that caused. I can only imagine Jackie’s frustration when she was not allowed to leave Italy, and more angst for Mark who was battling to transport the Volvo truck over the channel to the UK. They experienced more stress dealing with the authorities, who often gave them conflicting information, which was quite unexpected. I recommend this book for readers who prefer to travel on the sofa and also as an incentive to others who may be planning to climb on board and travel in a home on wheels. Jackie and Mark proved it can be done. Although hilarious at times, their patience was stretched to the limit. I wish them well in their travels!" Lucinda E. Clarke for Readers' Favorite https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/building-the-beast

Jackie and Mark's daring decision to abandon the conventional lifestyle for a nomadic existence, accompanied by their four dogs and an old army truck, sets the stage for an extraordinary narrative. Their ambitious project to transform this truck into a mobile home, against the backdrop of financial risk and the whims of fate, is both heartwarming and nerve-wracking. The memoir shines with its honest portrayal of the trials they face, from the intricacies of DIY conversion to the test of their relationship and financial stability. While the story is a thrilling ride filled with unique characters and unexpected turns, it slightly veers from exploring the deeper emotional landscapes that such a transformative journey entails. Nonetheless, it stands as a testament to the spirit of adventure and the belief that with enough determination, any dream is attainable. A four-st ar homage to the courage of chasing the unconventional path. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6391998404

Loved it, it was fabulous. After 'Adventure Caravanning' with their dogs for a few years with caravan Kismet and their panel van Blue, Jackie and Mark started searching online for a 4x4 expedition vehicle. They needed something to travel in, live in, and to keep all their sports equipment, and belongings in. The aim was to go to Mongolia, negotiate the Pamir Highway, and the Gobi Desert. This was a great book, so easy to read, and I really enjoyed it. Short chapters, yet so much is said, I love how this moves along. Her books are fun, witty, and always have great word choices, and interesting facts and figures. It's good that there's a bit of background at the opening e.g. as a memory-jogger for those who've read her other books, or to fill you in if you've not yet read any, and are coming to this book first. I've read all her previous books (except Dogs 'n' Dracula-not read that one yet), and loved them. I've heard and seen about The Beast via her blog and interviews, I really wanted to read this book. But I did wonder if it’d be too technical for me.... did I have to know about car and van parts etc.? (I don't); would I get bogged down in all that? Not a bit of it! What an inspirational couple. They've already travelled extensively and achieved so much with Kismet and Big Blue. Now they have a bigger plan. Everything that could go wrong did. There were lots of hurdles; many spanners in the works. A great story with all the mishaps along the way - which make better reading than everything going smoothly! All very interesting and fun to read. It's hugely inspirational-because I think many would have just given up trying, with all the things they had to put in place to get their dream of owning and converting The Beast off the ground. What a story-and a fabulously entertaining read. As I was reading, I seemed to be saying blimey and crikey a lot. Anything that could happen, it happened to them. Any hurdle, they would face it- and more, and more. What a journey! What an experience. ‘The Wayward Truck Series’- Fabulous to learn that there will be more! https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6389584670

A Grand Design of a motorhome conversion. From 24.5 tonne ex-army truck to a bespoke home for two adults and four cavapoos, this witty memoir takes you along the highs and lows, the bump and grind and the pits of despair.

It’s a fascinating insight into couple about to embark on a completely alternative lifestyle – effectively becoming travellers. Their choice of mobile accommodation is a huge ex-army truck which they are converting to a very high specification. Oh, and it also has to accommodate their four cavapoos! All this has to be done to a deadline – thanks to Brexit and other complications – or they are on a countdown to becoming homeless. The tension is palpable.

“There is Always a Solution”. When embarking upon a project that will undoubtedly take more time, energy, money and patience than predicted, that phrase becomes a mantra that any of us can adopt and embrace. Building The Beast takes us along as Jackie and Mark refit a decommissioned Belgian army truck, during Covid, post Brexit, in order to travel to Mongolia. Because, why not? The tone is always respectful, even when telling tales of dealing with obdurate government departments and easily distracted tradespeople, and I look forward to reading the ensuing adventures as The Beast takes to the road.

This book is a fantastic look at designing a unique project and going for it with humor and perseverance. If one is tired of another ‘chucking it all and renovating an old house’ story, this is a quixotic twist that will keep you entertained. All your favorite characters are here, the undependable contractor, the evil villain in the guise of government bureaucrats of officialdom, naive "home" owners just trying to get their dreamy slice of the pie, along with an assorted cast of heros and hindrances, from a slightly dotty electrical genius to an indifferent Volvo service manager. Kari Iverson Lane

The trials and tribulations of building a home on six wheels, told with laughter and insight. It’s a must read, even if it’s just to stop you making the same mistakes. Maximilan Sam Award Winning Author Goodreads review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6389710546

It's a page-turner. Two kind people go on a nearly impossible quest in which they can't achieve anything without the help of two, to put it politely, "eccentric" men. You never know what will happen next! Carrie Riseley, Author

It’s an honest and often funny account of the realities of when people actually begin to live their dream. Anna Rashbrook, Author