General Books - Page 6

Back from Africa

Corinne Hofmann

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Editorial Review:

After enthralling readers around the world with her incredible story of falling in love with and marrying the Masai warrior Lketinga—and living with his family and their daughter in Kenya—Corinne Hoffmann recounts her return to Switzerland and the difficulties she faced. This frank and revealing memoir details how she built a new life for herself and her daughter while overcoming all obstacles with the same courage and optimism she employed in her life in the Kenyan outback. Once again, Hoffmann proves herself to be an acute observer and an effective storyteller, and her astonishing and compelling tale will captivate fans new and old.

The Rough Guide to West Africa 5 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)

Richard Trillo

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

The Rough Guide to West Africa is the most comprehensive and user-friendly guide to one of the world’s hardest – and most rewarding – regions for travel, covering the 15 visitable countries from Mauritania to Cameroon in fifty percent more detail than its only competitor. Each chapter of the Rough Guide includes thoroughly researched hotel and restaurant listings, sections on everything from food and language to media and sport, and thoughtful background on the environment, culture, history, politics and music. The colour introduction highlights the region’s attractions and touches on its great range of cultural and scenic impressions. Colour photo sections on Arts and Crafts and Fruit and Food Plants offer fascinating information and useful advice. More than 160 accessible and accurate maps guide you from the urban jungle to beaches and mountains. And an extensive index references every place mentioned in the guide.

Visit the author blog at http://theroughguidetowestafrica.blogspot.com for news, links and updates.

Make the most of your time with The Rough Guide to West Africa

A Zoo in My Luggage

Gerald Durrell

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Excellent, the 4th best of his many books, in my opinion 5 out of 5 stars.
13 of 13 people found this review helpful.

Gerald Durrell spent most of his life collecting interesting animal specimens and Durrell is an interesting human specimen himself. His well chronicled life (mostly chronicled by Durrell) begins with the hilarious, and very succesfull, "My family and Other Animals". It is ably followed up with the equally hilarious "Birds, Beasts and Relatives". Both books are full of tales from the Durrell family's years on the Greek Island of Corfu, pre WWII. Little Gerry dives right into the flora and fauna of the island, including its human fauna. I own very few nonfiction books with such a plethora of memorable characters. Now, of course, we get to the volume in question. It is plenty good, and worth multiple readings over years, as is "The Overloaded Ark" and several other books detailing trips to collect animals. A word of warning, don't go nuts and buy all the zillion Durrell titles. Some of them are out of print for a reason and were most likely dashed off by Durrell to finance a collecting trip or two...

Editorial Review:

Fans of Gerald Durrell’s timeless classic My Family and Other Animals will love this hilarious tale, which finds him as an adult still charmed by his beloved animals. A Zoo in My Luggage begins with an account of Durrell’s third trip to the British Cameroons in West Africa, during which he and his wife capture animals to start their own zoo. Returning to England with a few additions to their family—Cholmondeley the chimpanzee, Bug-eye the bush baby, and others—they have nowhere to put them as they haven’t yet secured a place for their zoo. Durrell’s account of how he manages his menagerie in all sorts of places throughout England while finding a permanent home for the animals provides as much adventure as capturing them. For animal lovers of all ages, A Zoo in My Luggage is the romping true story of the boy who grew up to make a Noah’s Ark of his own.

The dark child

Laye Camara

By: Noonday Press Amazon Marketplace: 1 new & used starting at $145.94

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

I can't believe I read this garbage 1 out of 5 stars.
3 of 42 people found this review helpful.

A year ago in my freshman language arts class, I was forced to read The Dark Child. Previously having been assigned garbage such as Nectar in a Sieve and Things Fall Apart, I expected this book would be terrible as well. I was not to be disappointed.
I soon discovered that The Dark Child was a sort of childhood memoirs written by a native of rural Guinea, which is described as a primitive paradise. After choking down five pages of the poorly written (or poorly translated?) prose, I thought to myself, "Could there be a premise less compelling than a boy living an idyllic life in 1920s rural Africa?" I mulled over this thought for a while and decided that there wasn't. This book is plagued by the fundamental problem that the reader knows, doesn't want to know, or doesn't care about what's coming next. Even if you are interested in what life was like for Camara Laye's people, you will be put off by the poor writing and the utter directionlessness of this book - indeed, I constantly found myself dumbfounded by the meandering descriptions, the contrived dialogue, and the pointless vignettes.
In conclusion, I would suggest to the prospective buyer that you spend your money on something better-done and more enjoyable, such as a porn DVD.

Editorial Review:

The Dark Child is a distinct and graceful memoir of Camara Laye's youth in the village of Koroussa, French Guinea. Long regarded Africa's preeminent Francophone novelist, Laye (1928-80) herein marvels over his mother's supernatural powers, his father's distinction as the village goldsmith, and his own passage into manhood, which is marked by animistic beliefs and bloody rituals of primeval origin. Eventually, he must choose between this unique place and the academic success that lures him to distant cities. More than autobiography of one boy, this is the universal story of sacred traditions struggling against the encroachment of a modern world. A passionate and deeply affecting record, The Dark Child is a classic of African literature.

Race to Dakar

Charley Boorman

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

I enjoyed Race To Dakar very much. 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Race to Dakar

I first found Charley Boorman through his trip Long Way Round. I read that book and devoured the DVD TV series. And found out Charley was going to try the Dakar rally.

I ended up reading Race To Dakar in one day. It was so engaging I could not put it down. I liked everything about it. Its shown me places I'm sure I'll never see.

Then I bought the Race To Dakar DVD through Amazon.Ca. And it was just as amazing as the book.

Editorial Review:

In January 2006, 230 people raced in trucks, cars, and motorbikes from Lisbon to Dakar in the 28th annual Dakar rally, the most challenging race in existence. After his celebrated trip round the world with Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman was keen for another challenge, and racing in the Dakar had always been his dream. Supported by Australian champion biker Simon Pavey and experienced British biker Matt Hall, Charley attempted what many professional bikers have failed to do: successfully compete in the Dakar rally. His account details his extraordinary adventures as well as those of his fellow bikers, and also explores the history of this most dramatic and romantic of races. From Portugal through Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, and Senegal, it also provides a unique look at the countries hosting the rally.

Southern Africa (Multi Country Guide)

Alan Murphy, Kate Armstrong, Matthew Firestone, Mary Fitzpatrick, Michael Grosberg, Nana Luckham, Andy Rebold

Amazon Price: $21.11 List Price: $31.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Lonely Planet Amazon Marketplace: 44 new & used starting at $19.98

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Rotten Guide 1 out of 5 stars.
10 of 12 people found this review helpful.

This book may have everything you need about Southern Africa... that is unless you plan to travel there. It is full of background facts and history, but of no use if you actually want a guide to attractions, accommodations or local culture.

I bought it for a trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe. Big mistake. For South Africa, it misses several of the major attractions altogether, including Seal Island and Gold Reef City. When the book does mention attractions, it rarely gives any information on how to see them. In an illustrative moment, it mentions the Sterkfontein Caves in the introductory section on Africa's ancient past--but no where in the book does it mention that they offer a museum and guided tours in South Africa an easy distance for Joberg. (The Sterkfontein Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, not a minor attraction by any measure).

So that's what you can expect for the most well-traveled of the countries in this book. I won't bore you with details on the political diatribe that Lonely Planet calls its guide to Zimbabwe. It suffices to say I would not rely on it for a trip there.

Editorial Review:

Climb atop a scorching sand dune in Sossusvlei, Namibia, and listen to the overpowering silence. Fall asleep to the sounds of grunting hippos and howling hyenas in Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe. Stand on the sidelines during Swaziland's Umhlanga Dance, while potential wives parade before the king.

8 authors, 249 days of in-country research, 109 maps, 97 buses. Specialist music chapter and full-color wildlife section. Incorporating 1073 traveller tips and suggestions.

Mean and Lowly Things: Snakes, Science, and Survival in the Congo

Kate Jackson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 17 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

In 2005 Kate Jackson ventured into the remote swamp forests of the northern Congo to collect reptiles and amphibians. Her camping equipment was rudimentary, her knowledge of Congolese customs even more so. She knew how to string a net and set a pitfall trap, but she never imagined the physical and cultural difficulties that awaited her.

Culled from the mud-spattered pages of her journals, Mean and Lowly Things reads like a fast-paced adventure story. It is Jackson’s unvarnished account of her research on the front lines of the global biodiversity crisis—coping with interminable delays in obtaining permits, learning to outrun advancing army ants, subsisting on a diet of Spam and manioc, and ultimately falling in love with the strangely beautiful flooded forest.

The reptile fauna of the Republic of Congo was all but undescribed, and Jackson’s mission was to carry out the most basic study of the amphibians and reptiles of the swamp forest: to create a simple list of the species that exist there—a crucial first step toward efforts to protect them. When the snakes evaded her carefully set traps, Jackson enlisted people from the villages to bring her specimens. She trained her guide to tag frogs and skinks and to fix them in formalin. As her expensive camera rusted and her Western soap melted, Jackson learned what it took to swim with the snakes—and that there’s a right way and a wrong way to get a baby cobra out of a bottle.

(20080415)

The White Nile (The Adventure Library , No 4)

Alan Moorehead

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 26 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

An interesting history of early exploration in Africa 4 out of 5 stars.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful.

As I recall, I learned effectively zero about African history in high school or college. A friend recommended this book as an interesting history of early exploration in Africa, covering roughly the period of 1850 through 1910. It begins with Burton & Speke setting off from Zanzibar to try and discover the source of part of the Nile River, known as the White Nile. That epedition and many, many others are summarized and discussed, with nice quotes from the writings of the actual explorers.

Drawings on writings and newspapers from the times, and obviously very careful research, the author relates the history of the exploration and "discovery" (by the white man) of Africa, primarily in the region of modern day Uganda and Tanzania, with a little bit of overlap into Zanzibar, Kenya, Egypt, Sudan, Rawanda and Ethiopia.

I found it to be a compelling and enjoyable read. While it would be fascinating beyond belief to read written accounts by Africans life and history in 1850 and before, the absence of a written language in many tribes means its not available. While I don't always like what early explorers had to say about the Africans they met, when they reveal their observations I can take those and reject their judgments and at least learn something more than I knew before about these countries. Moorehead does a great job of weavcing together available information to try and give a picture of what life was like then for the explorers, those reading about the expeditions back home, and the natives both being "discovered" and being hired as porters and guides on the expeditions.

Editorial Review:

A thrilling narrative history of the exploration of Africa in the last half of the 19th century featuring larger-than-life personalitiesStanley, Livingstone, Burton, among many othersand intense drama. An immediate bestseller when first published, this may be the most absorbing and enjoyable of all the books about African exploration.

Original publication date 1960
New introduction by Jeremy Bernstein
New maps, drawings and photos, index

Culture Shock! Morocco: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette (Culture Shock! Guides)

Orin Hargraves

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Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Morocco: "Knock for Something Completely Different" 5 out of 5 stars.
15 of 16 people found this review helpful.

This book provides a detailed description of modern Moroccan culture for those from Western backgrounds trying to make sense of Moroccan values, behavior, and daily life. The content is explained well and easy to read, although the type face is rather small.

Editorial Review:

CultureShock! Morocco contains all the essential information to help you settle comfortably in this unique but often bewildering country. Offering a different perspective from the romanticized place portrayed in the film Casablanca, the book explores the realities of Morocco and gives important insights into the lives and customs of the Moroccans. Understand their world view and how religion and the concept of fatalism and hshuma (shame) affects everyday actions and activities. Find out how to communicate with the locals and how to conduct your work effectively and painlessly in this foreign land. The book also highlights several wonderful things about Morocco, such as the delicious cous-cous dish, and even guides you on what to do in a hemmam (public bath)! Filled with practical information and written in an easy-to-read style, CultureShock! Morocco will help you to navigate through the Moroccan maze and pave the way for a pleasant and meaningful stay.

In Arabian Nights: A Caravan of Moroccan Dreams

Tahir Shah

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Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Tahir Shah’s The Caliph’s House, describing his first year in Casablanca, was hailed by critics and compared to such travel classics as A Year in Provence and Under the Tuscan Sun. Now Shah takes us deeper into the heart of this exotic and magical land to uncover mysteries that have been hidden from Western eyes for centuries.…

In this entertaining and penetrating book, Tahir sets out on a bold new journey across Morocco that becomes an adventure worthy of the mythical Arabian Nights.

As he wends his way through the labyrinthine medinas of Fez and Marrakesh, traverses the Sahara sands, and tastes the hospitality of ordinary Moroccans, Tahir collects a dazzling treasury of traditional stories, gleaned from the heritage of A Thousand and One Nights. The tales, recounted by a vivid cast of characters, reveal fragments of wisdom and an oriental way of thinking that is both enthralling and fresh. A link in the chain of scholars and teachers who have passed these stories down for centuries like a baton in a relay race, Shah reaches layers of culture that most visitors hardly realize exist, and eventually discovers the story living in his own heart.

Along the way he describes the colors, characters, and the passion of Morocco, and comes to understand why it is such an enchanting land. From master masons who labor only at night to Sufi wise men who write for soap operas, and Tuareg guides afflicted by reality TV, In Arabian Nights takes us on an unforgettable journey, shining a light on facets of a society that are normally left in darkness.