These included getting drunk on surgical spirit (96% ethanol), attending illegal parties where there wasn't a compulsory hejab headscarf in sight, and even viewing hardcore porn films with a group of anti establishment students.

Politically, the book explores the policies of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez and the impact organisations such as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank have had on Venezuela and Latin America in general.

The journey took him across three continents and through nineteen countries: Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Austria, Germany, France, and England.

William Blum wrote approvingly of Socialist Dreams & Beauty Queens: A Couchsurfer's Memoir of Venezuela:"Jamie Maslin has put together an exciting mix of progressive politics and adventurous travelogue.

"[8] Commenting on Iranian Rappers & Persian Porn: A Hitchhiker's Adventures in the New Iran Cindy Sheehan wrote:"In a time where an understanding of different cultures is more important than ever, I’m so glad we have books like Jamie Maslin’s.