Copy of William Spencer

Far Sweeter Than Honey by William Spencer

This is the true story of a young man’s epic bicycle journey from England to India. Cycling eight thousand miles, he encounters adventure, from the curious company of a butterfly to being in Kandahar, Afghanistan on the night of a coup. From the surprise of a welcoming Muslim world, where he learns the basics of Islam, to the journey’s end in India, and a realization of the essential goodness of humankind.

In anticipation of its December 1st release date, Far Sweeter Than Honey has achieved #1 Amazon New Release status in seven categories. Click here to download a full press packet from the author.



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William Spencer explains why he wrote this book

This book contains a story that wanted to be told. A young boy in England completes a school project about India and forms a deep yearning to explore that subcontinent. As a young man, he embarks on the journey using, of course, a bicycle. For him, two wheels are the ideal means of escape—he’d learned to cycle off and find respite from warring, alcoholic parents. He sets out in search of meaning, in search of something beyond an everyday existence. And, as with any odyssey, the search reveals the values and aspirations that will guide his adult life.

How do we shape an understanding of places we have never visited? In school, I was taught about Muslim lands: warrior Arabs who invaded and held Spain for several centuries, the Crusades against barbaric hordes who lacked Christianity, the British Raj that brought order to Hindu and Muslim masses in India. Years later, the constant onslaught of contemporary news media provided me with searing accounts of inhumane acts committed by Islamic fundamentalists. As a result, I held a dim view of Islam and Muslim peoples.

My travels through Muslim lands stood in stark contrast to this narrative. I experienced a consistently warm welcome. I came to know the everyday face of Islam as predictable human kindness. So, the second reason I wrote this book was as a testament to this other side of the story. I hope that you will read this book and come to recognize a truer view of the peaceful followers of Islam: the poor farmer, the struggling student, and the humble railway stationmaster.