Editorial Review

Neil Peart cycles his way through West Africa and brings us along with him, dysentery and all. Read more

Reviews (109)

Worth a second read
I first read The Masked Rider on the plane that took me to South Korea, where I was going to live, working as a university professor.Neil's book warned me about Eastern-style toilets, locals staring, and children shouting -- though instead of "white man" it was "American".
You really do feel like you're there !
As a Rush fan of the last quarter century, I looked forward to this just to enjoy Neil's writing.Have read his other two travel books, Ghost Rider and Traveling Music, I found this one to be the most untainted by his profession. GR told of his multi-month healing process via motorcyle after his life was rocked by tragedy, and TM his 5-day road trip by car across the US Southwest while talking about the music he enjoyed, both books relaying numerous personal as well as RUSH anecdotes. The Masked Rider however, could have been written by anyone, that is, not necessarily a successful rock musician. His intelligence, dry sense of humor, and genuine love for history and nature make this an enjoyable read. It goes without saying that this book is probably mostly going to be purchased and read by Rush fans, which is a shame as this book has the most potential universal appeal of his three books. But his descriptions and storytelling make it a most engulfing "adventure" document. I highly recommend it. And you don't even have to like Rush's music, but I recommend that highly as well.

Displays a much broader range of Peart's writing talents than his preachy Rush lyrics
Though I was born and raised a Rush fan, as an adult I really don't enjoy Neil Peart's lyrics anymore because I find them to be too preachy and didactic. But Neil's prose writing displays a much broader range of the talents of the lyric writer/drummer/amateur philosopher than seen in Rush. This book is as light-hearted as his lyrics aren't- his dry sense of humor can be hilarious ("I wouldn't have thought missionaries chose their missions according to climatic comfort, but I did notice that low-lying swampy villages had been deemed less in need of `saving' than where the pleasant highland locations."). And though this is too much "tell" vs. "show" to make this the Great Canadian Novel, there are flashes of brilliance ("... you could sometimes say reason is a luxury everywhere in the world. It works fine as long as life is reasonable, but where guns, poverty, and drought start pushing people around, they often retire into faith.").
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Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Cycling    3. Cycling - General    4. Exercise    5. Physical Fitness    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Travel / Africa    9. Travel writing    10. West Africa   

Editorial Review

Oh, to go on safari in Africa. Nolting can't assure you vacation time or airfare, but he's done his part with the definitive guide to viewing wildlife in Africa. He covers driving, flying and walking safaris, elephant-back, balloon, and canoe safaris, photo safaris, game drives, and bird-watching safaris. He tells where to see elephants and when the tree leaves won't obscure your view. Helpful even if only to flesh out your safari daydreams, it's an impressively straightforward, informational, necessary item to choose, prepare, and actually go on safari. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Useful when planning a packaged tour
We found this book helpful to plan our luxury independent travel African safari trip for four. Although we would have liked more practical information on Internet sites and hotels, it had plenty of information on weather, facilities, shopping suggestions and maps for most of the game viewing countries. The Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa sections were the largest.

Dreaming of Romantic Safaris in Africa
"One morning I just woke up and realized I wanted to travel around the world. And I decided, if I don't go, I'll always regret it, and if I don't go now, I never will." ~Mark Nolting What You Need to Plan the Trip You'll Love!
Mr. Nolting correctly assumes that wildlife will be one reason to visit Africa.So he has organized his book so that you can find how when and where you can see wildlife under conditions that match what you want to know and experience.For example, inside the front cover you can cross-check a month and location to find out when it is best to see animals.Inside the back cover, you can check the frequency of animal viewing by animal type, location and month.On page 43, you can see what types of safari activities are available where (type of driving, walking, canoeing and boats.On pages 58-59, you can see what the temperature and rainfall are like in those months.Elsewhere, you can find out which sleeping and traveling arrangements are less expensive, and what you get for paying more.So, if you know what wildlife you want to see, you can narrow down your interests into a few locations and times of the year very quickly.Then, you can focus your reading on what the locales, accommodations, and experiences are like there.Although Mr. Nolting offers safari planning services, you could use his book to work with someone else . . . or to arrange your own trip.Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Africa, Sub-Saharan    3. Guidebooks    4. National parks and reserves    5. Safaris    6. Travel    7. Travel - Foreign    8. Wildlife    9. Wildlife watching   

Reviews (5)

A disappointing entry in the Frommer series
I travel extensively and am a fan of Frommer's guides which I generally find to have a nice assortment of options in varying price ranges.The volume on South Africa however, was a great disappointment.If Frommer's were to be believed, you had to pay $200 and up for a decent hotel room.Fortunately I have often traveled in South Africa, enjoyed its reasonably priced accomodations, and knew such prices were nonsense.I stayed in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and other top destinations in season for less than half that much.The guide also overlookeddestinations a bit off the beaten path and proved of so little use to me that I didn't bother to pack it home with me. I strongly suggest the Eyewitness guide instead or just surf the web for tons of great information from the South African Tourism Board.

South Africa Trip
An excellent reference book for anyone visiting Southern Africa. We only found a few minor errors but the recommendations on where to go and what to see were very useful. Don't Leave Home Without It!
We visited South Africa for 20 days in July 2000, driving from Cape Townto Kruger.Before we left we sat down at a large book store and reviewedall their South African travel books.This one looked the best and provedto be very useful, particularly for accomodations.Some of the prices hadchanged but the standards and services were exactly as described.This isa great book for travellers who are above the backpacker/budget level butnot up to "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Reference - Guides (General)    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel Guides    6. Republic of South Africa    7. Travel & holiday guides    8. Travel / Africa   

Reviews (2)

just returned
My family and I recently returned from a trip to Africa.We traveled with our two small children and had a wonderful time.This book was wonderful in leading us to beautiful destinations. Our trip would not have been the same without it.My husband is an army officer and had brought along his own guidebooks he obtained through the service.This is the one we relied on the most.
A Must Purchase For Travelers To Africa
If you are planning to travel anywhere in Africa, especially Sub-Saharan Africa this small, handy book is a must.With the number of infectious diseases prevelant in Africa it is foolish to take unneccessary risks, butmost people are probably not familiar with the health risks and optionsopen to them.This book contains comprehensive information on what do tobefore you go, how to stay healthy, and what to do when you get back.Italso has a substantial list of symptoms, diseases and treatments just incase you do get sick (or injured from outdoor activities).It works foroutdoor adventurer's, resort go-ers, and urban-only businessmen.Plus itsminature size makes it convenient to carry. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Healthy Living    3. Reference    4. Reference - General    5. Safety    6. Travel    7. Travel - Foreign    8. Family & Health    9. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (9)

Amharic usefulness depends on where you are
Actually I didn't use the book very much, as my surroundings were almost all English or Oromo-speaking.Before spending much time on a learning a language to use in Ethiopia, be sure to check out the location.Since the Amhara's are no longer the dominant tribe, their language may be less useful.Tigrayans arenow in power and Oromo are the largest language group.

Lonely Planet Ethiopian Amharic Phrasebook
This book is excellent! I don't understand some of the reviews.
Completely Useless!
This guide is terrible if your goal is to speak Amharic.The Achilles heel of this book is that there are no accent marks on the ethiopian phrases.If you read what is in the book there is no way you will come close to saying anything intelligible.On the positive side, all of my Ethiopian friends found this book very helpful for learning English. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African Languages    2. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    3. General    4. Travel    5. Amharic    6. Ethiopia    7. Language self-study & phrasebooks    8. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (10)

Without a doubt, take this book with you!
Briggs knows Ghana like the back of his hand. And this book, compact and inexpensive, served as a Bible to me on my recent visit to Ghana. Truly, without his intimate knowledge of this West African country's landscape and peoples, I would have had a hard time knowing whether I was coming or going. Highly recommended.

Great Chrissie Present
I was presented with this guide as a christmas gift a month prior to leaving for a six week journey through Ghana in 1999. I was thrilled to discover a more comprehensive guide book than those produced by Lonely Planet.Given time to compare notes before travelling it was only to my benefit to carry this guide.As with all guide books information tends to date quickly, therefore it becomes important to future editions for a traveller to make their own contribution to assist others on their journey.As a single female traveller in Ghana this guide book was an easy to use and essential tool, not only did it assist me but others I met along the way. I'd recommend this Guide to Ghana and any future editions to anyone.

Detailed TravelGuide.
This is definatly the most detailed guide to Ghana currently available, however it is not aimed at students or others traveling on a low budget. It is also a little out of date eg. it recommends the Castle Restaurant in Cape Coast which burn down three years ago! things change fast in Ghana so no guide will be absolutly up to date, this is a usefull basis for exploring the smaller towns which other guides miss out. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Travel    3. Ghana    4. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (3)

Outstanding
Somehow each one of capsticks books good better each time. After reading four of his books previous, I do believe that this one is just as good if not better. Although I prefer Death in the long grass, and death in a lonely land, this book is very well written. Your hands sweat until the problem is taken care of. So finally to sum it all up it's another great read, from a great writer.

Sands of Silence
Having read four Chapstick books and loving them (his other tiltes left me excited and wide-eyed) I wasn't overly impressed with Sands of Silence.Although the book is well written, includes quality photos, and some interesting infomation about Africa; I thought it lacked the excitement of Peters other excellent hunting tales.You could do worse than buy this book, but I would encouage you to pick another of Peter's titles.

One of Capstick's greatest books!
Once again, Peter Capstick has brought an African safari adventure into my home.This books is brillantly written as well as full of great color photos of the people of Nambia and some of the many animals of the wild.This is a must have for anyone who enjoys a great adventure! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Big game hunting    2. Description and travel    3. General    4. Hunting    5. Hunting - General    6. Hunting Sports    7. Namibia    8. Safaris    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Travel - General    12. Hunting or shooting animals & game   

Reviews (8)

Weak binding
I bought this book from amazon.com and then noticed exactly the same edition in my local bookshop for a similar price but in the strong paperback binding (versus the weak paperback binding as sold by amazon).

Good but more on the local language

The new edition is excellent
I have no experience with the previous edition, and until now I only used the Lonely Planet on Morocco, but I did some tests on issues I had found missing in the Lonely Planet and the new Rough Guide passed the test excellently.
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Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Africa - North    3. North Africa - History    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel Guides    7. Morocco    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Travel / Africa   

Reviews (24)

One of the funniest books ever written
When I read Chapter 13 of this book where he describes the scene in Paris where 'Ferguson' is eating his breakfast and generally ripping them off as he pretends to guide them to the Louvre I had to put the book down because I was giggling and laughing so hard. Even now when I reread it for the 100th time it never gets old. Anyone who feels Twain was racist doesn't get how universally he applies his satire.
Irreverent and satiric - traveler Twain
The great humor and satirical power of Mark Twain are evident often in this work. As his ability at precise observation and understanding. His account of the 'Holy Land'as wasteland is still one of the best descriptions ever given about the Middle East.
A Travel Book from 1869 That's Worth Reading Today
Reading early Mark Twain is like watching a young David Letterman. The brilliance is there, but its owner is still learning how to use it. In 1867, Twain was dispatched by a San Francisco newspaper to be a passenger on the first organized tour group of Americans making their way through Europe and the Near East. In 1869, he reworked his newspaper dispatches into something resembling a book, although that book is more like Gulliver's Travels than Moby-Dick. Twain's modern detractors don't approve of how he wrote so dismissively about "the natives." What they overlook is that he is even more cutting when he is writing about the pious, provincial Americans he is traveling with. The Innocents Abroad is one of the first books that grapples with what it means to be an American. And it's a lot more fun to read than Henry James. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1800-1918    2. Description and travel    3. Essays & Travelogues    4. Europe    5. Europe - Western    6. Literature - Classics / Criticism    7. Literature: Classics    8. Middle East - Egypt    9. Voyages and travels    10. Classic travel writing    11. Fiction / Classics    12. Middle East    13. Other prose: 19th century   

Reviews (3)

Great information to help you start planning
My sister and I are planning a trip to Southern Africa in the Spring...although we had both been to South Africa before we did not really know where to start with planning a 'safari' outside of SA...This book was a perfect overview of the different countries, the game you can plan to see, the tourist and weather seasons, and the differences between different types of safaris...we supplemented the information in this book with other sources...but this was a GREAT place to start off...get a good comfort level with the options in Africa...I would definitely reccommend!

A$10 rip off
Slim ,is not the word for this small 190 page "pocket book".
Worth the wait!
I must say how surprised I was at the number of useful tips in this book. It was worth the wait of the delayed release. I'm planning my first trip to East Africa, and the authors brought up topics that had not occurred to me in my months of research. For instance, it includes straight forward talk about situations which may induce motion sickness and how to lessen the effect, and how to make the best use of your guide. It also offers an understanding of the guide's view of tourists. It includes broad advice about sub-saharan African culture that may help smooth the journey even further. Short, but to the point, it was about a four hour read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Special Interest - Adventure    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel & holiday guides    6. Travel / Adventure   

Reviews (4)

Great preparation
We have read this book front to back and though we don't leave for a few weeks we feel so much more informed about opportunities within and country and tips to be better prepared. Great resource!

One of the best travel guides ever
I've traveled to over 40 countries in the past 15 years and read between 1-3 travel guides before going to each country.
Uganda: the Bradt Travel Guide (4th edition)
Philip Briggs has produced a masterpiece with his 4th edition of 'Uganda: the Bradt Travel Guide'. As a specialist tour operator who has visited Uganda before, I am familiar with other Uganda guidebooks and Bradt's latest edition is without a doubt, the best around. Everything the prospective visitor needs to know about Uganda is contained in this superb book. Briggs has done an exceptionally thorough job of updating the guide and I am confident that it will enable readers not only to see the best of the country, but also to understand it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Guidebooks    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Uganda    6. Travel & holiday guides    7. Travel / Africa   

Reviews (1)

Rich visual guide to Croatia's cultural, natural, and historic heritage
I took three guides on a three week trip to Croatia in 2006: Lonely Planet, Bradt's, and this one. I used the first two to learn about where to stay and eat. I used the Knopf guide to truly learn about Croatia's amazing natural and cultural offerings.
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Subjects:  1. Europe - France    2. Europe - General    3. Fiction - Fantasy    4. Middle East - Egypt    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel Guides    8. Travel / Europe / General   

Reviews (30)

Romantic Portrait of African Village
Erdman's work in Nine Hills to Nambonkaha presents a romantic view of village life in Africa. Her experience from the Peace Corp allows Erdman to paint a rich and lively culture of life in an economically and medicinally depressed area. Coping with challenges of communicating prevention and awareness of AIDS, infant care and personal hygiene, Erdman fully imparts to the reader her dedication in submersing herself into the social rituals and cultural norms in Nambonkaha. Her story telling has a romantic undertone in the spirit of human compassion and tolerance. I highly recommend this narrative.

Excellent for anyone interesting in joining the Peace Corps
As someone who is undergoing the long and sometimes tedious application process for the Peace Corps, this book helped me put into perspective what life in the PC is going to be like.It was a pleasure to read, and I couldn't help but reading on to find out more about her experience.It left me feeling very satisfied as to what life in the PC will be like, and I highly recommend this book for anyone interesting in joining the PC!

A Touching Tale
I decided to read this book in preparation for my own Peace Corps placement.As I hope to be doing health related work in Francophone Africa, I thought this would be the perfect book.Needless to say, I was not disappointed.
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Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Essays & Travelogues    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. African studies    6. Ivory Coast    7. Travel / Africa    8. Travel writing   

Reviews (1)

The best of both worlds!
I have gathered several books on travel to Egypt, Lonely planets, Passport, Travelers Key, DK eyewitness(second fave) and this one I would rate the best.Its got tons of great pictures, some of which I haven't seen in other books, plus its very full on information.Usually with such books its either tons of info and few pictures or vice versa.This one balances both well.It also has some nice maps and diagrams (tomb layouts, pyramid chambers)a section rating hotels and restaurants, a small section on usefull arabic terms, and a book and movie guide with egyptian themes. Read more

Subjects:  1. Middle East - Egypt    2. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Egypt    6. Travel & holiday guides    7. Travel / General   

Reviews (1)

Wonderful Examples
I really liked this book, as well as Moroccan Style.I felt this book was a little more comprehensive on the styles by region of Morocco and showed more traditional design. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Architecture    3. Criticism    4. Design    5. Interior Design - General    6. Interior Design - Style Books    7. Residential Interior Design    8. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles    9. Morocco   

Reviews (3)

Common memories
Having lived in the house across the street from Tim and his family in Ethiopia for a few years, the book really resonated with me.The memories of the sights and smells were brought back in such a powerful way!When I got the book I sat down and read the whole thing from cover to cover.When I was finished I felt like I had actually been there. My children have heard about my childhood Ethiopia for years, and are reading the book as well, and are amazed at all the familiar phrases that they have heard for years from me.It has been enlightening for them to hear another voice from my past.Love this book!

Vivid and poignant
Four-year-old Tim wants "the straight scoop on hell." After a serious accident involving a hoe and his younger brother, visions of Cain and Abel ratchet up guilt. When his anguish collides with his missionary mother's flannel graph story--three men in the fiery furnace--his questions echo our own: What happens after death? When things go wrong, how does one hold a family together?
Two Worlds, One Childhood
Weeks after arriving in Ethiopia at the age of three with his medical missionary parents, Tim Bascom found a chameleon on a poinsettia tree.This little reptile, which changes its colour in order to blend into its environment and whose eyes operate separately so they can focus in two completely different directions simultaneously, makes a perfect symbol in this wonderfully evocative and beautifully written memoir for the complex demands missionaries' kids (MKs) negotiate.MKs like Bascom find themselves struggling between their parents' commitment to God's calling and their own fear of coming second to that calling, between the desire to fit into the culture their parents have brought them to and the sense that they are strangers from another place, and between the widespread stereotypes of missionaries as flaming fundamentalists and their own experience of their parents' love for and commitment to the people among whom they worked.Like the chameleon, Bascom wishes desperately to blend into the Ethiopian life his family has moved to, and like his pet, his eyes take in the world he is encountering in Ethiopia at the same time that they never lose sight of the American world his parents return to periodically.
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Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Americans    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Description And Travel    8. Essays & Travelogues    9. Ethiopia    10. Missionaries    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Reviews (2)

Very accurate information and well written
I actually only visited S�o Tom� and I have to say that this guide, although short, is very detailed, both in terms of the historical background and of the present. The approach is straightforward and going through the places, and talking with the people, feels very close to what is described in the guide. Sophie did a great job in capturing the county's spirit.

A must have for visitors to Gabon!
I reside in Libreville, Gabon and have not, until now, been able to find much literature about this place in English ... or French for that matter.Then this little gem was published!I take this little book with me everywhere I go, I make a point of consulting it before I plan a trip, ... where to eat in Cocobeach, where to stay in Nyonie, where to shop in Libreville ... it's all in there.I found a couple of phone numbers misprinted, but aside from that, the information on each of the places I have been to is up to date, useful and correct. This book tells it like it is, the good, the bad and the ugly! I highly recommend it to anyone thinking of visiting or living in Gabon. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Gabon    5. Sao Tome & Principe    6. Travel & holiday guides    7. Travel / Africa   

Editorial Review

In this 1993 Disney adventure, Reese Witherspoon and Ethan Embry are two young survivors of an African massacre. She is the daughter of a game warden; he is a sulky teen visiting his dad. When poachers do in the adults, the kids hotfoot it across the Kalahari Desert, aided by Witherspoon's young bushman pal (Sarel Bok). They have to cross about 1,000 miles of forbidding territory, all the while chased by nogoodnik Jack Thompson. The kids face down danger, have a few excessively cute escapades, and learn about their capacity for survival--and goodness. The highlights of the film are the lush cinematography and exotic locales of Zimbabwe and Namibia. Though this is a Disney production, it is too violent and intense for young children. It is based on the books Read more

Reviews (52)

A beautiful book
This sequel to A Story Like the Wind returns to the same romanticized Africa, but with less grace than the first.The closer that Van der Post's characters come to the outside world, the more difficulties he has reconciling his artistic goals with his political message.The constantly tense circumstances surrounding the characters as they attempt to escape death on a daily basis means that readers will miss the lighter moments that made the first book work so well.

Not For Pre-Teens

Postmodern American Teenyboppers meet Shaka Zulu
Well, this was about as formulaically politically correct as a movie can get, unfortunately: the female teenage protagonist (played by Witherspoon, whose acting powers have increased dramatically since her stilted acting here) acts masculine and heroic, the male teenage protagonist acts craven and flippant. At one ridiculous point, the girl runs around acting like a commando, a veritable one-gal army, blowing up the bad guys, while the boy hides in a cave sniveling. Later, when the boy tries to assert himself by offering to carry the gal's backpack as they cross a desert, the gal snaps at him, Bella Abzug-style, and walks quickly ahead, leaving him in the dust. Clearly a modern radical feminist thing going on here, and what is most unfortunate is that this movie was made for a young audience and therefore is in keeping with the modern radical feminist propaganda which is brainwashing young women into unnaturally behaving like men. Of course, in the real world, the result for such manly girls, once they become women, is that men do not choose them and they remain alone, and therefore become bitter--ironically and inevitably blaming men, of course. In this movie, the wimpy teenage guy falls for the brassy, masculine gal--but that's why they call them movies. When are these post-modern writers, artists, and other culture-shapers with an agenda going to realize that when they tout modern radical feminism, they are touting something unnatural--men simply do not prefer masculine females. Men want someone to COMPLEMENT them, not COMPETE with them. Men crave FEMININITY in females, not FEMINISM. Wow, is there ever a difference in those two forms of comportment! This poor teenage guy depicted in this movie, at least his character does progress a little bit: by the end of the movie, instead of craven and flippant, he graduates to something akin to a metrosexual-type with a wild-boy haircut, if that is even a step upward. But the plucky gal--she's still the one in charge in this fictitious world of upside-down gender relations.
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Subjects:  1. Essays & Travelogues    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. General    5. South Africa    6. Travel    7. Fiction / General    8. Modern fiction   

Reviews (2)

Pretty good
All in all, I was very happy with this guide. It was the right size (not too thick, not too sparse), was very informative, and had great maps. I even liked the recommended routes (since Tunisia is small, it's very possible to "do" the whole country in a month), if one can "do" a country at all without living there.
Nicely Laid Out and Easy to Use.Useful Maps
It's light and compact and has some useful maps.We used the hotel suggestions but in most cases the ratings were off, if it says 3 stars assume 1.5-2 stars.Take ear plugs.Almost all of the hotels were in noisy areas.Many of the suggested eating places were also off the mark.Extensive menus would be met with three or four options available.The guides to sights and towns to visit were very good.We used the walking tours and maps to navigate through the country quite comfortably.Assume you'll be ripped off by every taxi driver and you'll be ok.It's still very inexpensive to travel in Tunisia.And this book is very handy to have along for the ride. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel & holiday guides    5. Tunisia   

Reviews (6)

Well Worth the Investment
Nigeria tends to get short-shrift in the travel guidebooks; rarely is it featured, and it is commonly maligned. This even-handed treatment of Africa's most populous country dishes out the treats that Nigeria has in store for the traveller as well as the negatives. In short, if one exercises common sense and stays alert to his surroundings, Nigeria can be a rewarding experience. The author is a fearless youngster eager to try everything, but also allows for an older person's expatriated sensibilities, understanding that not every traveller wants to camp or lodge in youth hostels (a common ailment in the Lonely Planet travel serials). She finds the warmth in the people that is a common Nigerian trait, and allows the reader to experience that warmth with her. There is no cold, clinical distance from her subject(s). This book is well worth the investment.