Reviews (5)

Hilarious and many travelers can relate!
Having taken tour group trips within Africa and other places, I could relate to many of Balows' accounts of fellow travelers, ailments, inital (if not exaggerated) excitement at sighting wildlife, local peddlers, malaria drugs, etc.The book had me laughing out loud many times!If you have traveled in such a way, you will love this book!

a fresh take on the fresh hell of travelling with other people
Balows' keen ear for dialogue and wry perspective make Tales From Tanzania a must read for anyone who's ever (or, for that matter, never) travelled with a group of strangers. A highly entertaining account of the comic human safari.

Traveling for the Immature
Humor about vomit or bathroom issues gives this book a big stink. So does the ceasless scapegoating directed to the most inept fellow traveler. Better text is found in the author's interactions with wildlife and natives. Overall this book is like the primitive latrines it aptly describes - it stinks! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Essays & Travelogues    3. Travel    4. Travel - General    5. Travel writing   

Reviews (1)

A poignant excursion into one of earth's last wild places
Peter Mattheissen ("The Tree Where Man was born," "At Play in the Fields of the Lord," "The Snow Leopard") takes the reader on a safari into the Selous, the grandest piece of truly wild realestate left in Africa. Along for the ride in western Tanzania is the lastgreat warden of this famous park, a direct descendant, in a way, ofFrederick Cortenay Selous himself, for whom the park is named. Matthiessenis low key, unpretentious, straightforward and fresh in his descriptions.Yet, as the safari moves deeper and deeper into the bush, one wonders, asone found in Matthiessen's classic "The Snow Leopard", whetherwe're really going to see any big animals after all. And whether or notMatthiessen and the crusty old game warden are going to resolve theirapprehensions about each other. Suffice it to say that at no level is thisfine book a disappointment, including the excellent photography of Hugo VanLawick, who accompanied the private safari, driving his own Land Rover downfrom the Serengeti. If you ever thought you might like to take a walk inAfrica, the old Africa, this is your book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Description and travel    2. Selous Game Reserve    3. Selous Game Reserve (Tanzania)    4. Tanzania    5. Zoology   

Reviews (13)

Witty and Descriptive as well as Informative and Fascinating
Rather than repeating others' rave reviews, as the thirteenth reviewer, I'd like to give prospective readers a sampling of what makes this book such a great read--notably Benanav's often witty and descriptive ways of expressing himself.
The Salt Caravans -- An Inner World that Sustains the Outer World
Exotic space, broken languages, sand for toilet paper, 40 days away from what you know and whom you love, such is the inner and outer world of the Sahara desert that Michael Benanav draws you into in his book, Men of Salt.Unlike other adventure books that celebrate the challenge between the mind and the physical, Men of Salt is so much more than that.Benanev in order to enter the desert must leave behind who he is, his girlfriend, and his identity as a Jew.He must leave behind all manner physical comforts -- including when to wake, when to sleep and when to eat.As he learns to rein the literal camel that he is riding, he discovers that he must also rein in the stallion of his mind which would rather quit or be in control but can do neither.
True-life adventure in a world of desert and camels
MEN OF SALT: CROSSING THE SAHARA ON THE CARAVAN OF WHITE GOLD recounts the experiences of an author who joined what is known as the Caravan of White Gold on its mission into the heart of the Sahara to haul back slabs of salt for sale. He lived for weeks among the camel drivers, experienced their daily hardships and journey, and learned all about how to care for and ride camels and how to approach the desert world. His story is true-life adventure at its best, and provides insights into the culture and experiences of a world few outsiders get to see.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Caravans    3. Essays & Travelogues    4. Sahara    5. Salt industry and trade    6. Salt mines and mining    7. Special Interest - Adventure    8. Travel    9. Travel - Foreign    10. Travel - General    11. Travel / Adventure   

Reviews (6)

ANGRY WIND -ANGRY ARABS
If one reads this very well written book objectively, it is quite apparent that Arab anger is deep rooted in century's of hate, for Christians, Jews, whites, Americans, Europeans, African blacks, Touregs, and even other Arabs of different sects. Oh of course they now hate Bush, but they have been hating since Mohammed; only the primary targets have changed with the years. I thoroughly enjoyed this fast moving book though it did leave me with a very pessimistic view of the world my children will live in.

A peek into the Muslim Africa - post 9/11
Tayler is one brave traveller. Being a white American you need guts to travel in a predominantly Muslim Africa. He charts his journey across the Sahel region, following path ravaged by the vicious Haramattan wind. The author describes the poverty and despair, so characteristic of Africa, with compassion. At times he displays righteous anger when provoked, but soon consoles himself when he perceives the abject misery around him. The book is more than a travelogue. It details the political undercurrents and opinions about post 9/11 USA. Also, one understands the history and causes for the ongoing conflict between the Muslims and Christians. Can it get worse: poverty, rising temperatures and being ruled by misinterpreted Sharia ?

Good But Not His Best
This is Jeffrey Tayler's fourth book.I have read all of his books, and I would say that this ranks at the bottom of my list.However, in general, I did enjoy the book.The problem with this book is that Tayler's journey through the Sahel of Africa does not seem to be as extensive as his other sojourns.He seems to move rather quickly through a couple of targeted locations in each of the countries he visits.As a result, the books is light on interesting cultural stories and personal experiences.While he does encounter some potentially difficult situations along the way, this journey does lack the adventurous feeling of his first two books (Siberian Dawn and Facing The Congo).It seems that in this case, Tayler created a truncated trip solely for the purpose of cranking out another book.Having said that, I have to admit I did like the book.Tayler has an eloquent style of writing that makes reading about his journeys interesting even when nothing much has taken place.I am also fascinated by his linguistic skills, which helps him transcend cultural barriers by giving him the ability to converse with almost anyone he encounters.This book also gave me a glimpse into the history and culture of Chad, Nigeria, Niger and Mali, four nations that I previously had little or no knowledge of.If you are a fan of Tayler's books, you will probably like this book, but it may not end up being at the top of your list of favorites. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Description And Travel    3. Essays & Travelogues    4. Islam    5. Sahel    6. Travel    7. Travel - Foreign    8. Travel / Africa   

Reviews (3)

Very helpful
I am planning a trip to Madagascar and found this book a very helpful review of the various parks in the country.The photos are excellent and the discussion of the various mammals are readable but provide enough information to be interesting.This is not a technical book on either mammals or ecosystems, but is a good review of both.Perhaps I was looking for too much from this book, but I would have liked more maps and a bit more guidance on how to combine trips to different ecosystems in one trip.I combine it with the Lonely Planet and can cobble together the information, but it requires quite a bit of work.I also liked the sections on reptiles and insects - many books neglect the little creatures, which can be far more interesting than mammals in some ecosystems.Overall highly recommended.

Terrific!
Took this book along with me to Madagascar & was very glad I did. I was able to identify many lemur species I came upon throughout the country from the beautiful, close-up photographs in this book. The descriptive of each species is written in layman's terminology along with scientific names for the more biologically erudite. This really is a terrific book.

I'm sorry to see this book is out of print!
I have had this book for about 4 years now, and I can't believe it's out of print! I have a deep interest and love for the wildlife of Madagascar, and have not been able to find many books that show the diverse life of this endangered island.To no longer have this book is a shame - if you are looking for a beautifully photographed book that chronicles Madagascars wildlife, don't give up on trying to find this book - it's a true gem. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Animals    3. Guidebooks    4. Madagascar    5. National parks and reserves    6. Nature    7. Reference    8. Travel    9. Wildlife    10. Wildlife watching    11. Travel & holiday guides    12. Travel / Africa    13. Wild animals   

Reviews (2)

Botswana Guide
This guide provides as excellant overview to Botswana's history, cluture, and travel options. The descriptions of the private game concessions were very helpful in planning my trip.

The most complete guide to northern Botswana to date!
I've been waiting for this book for a long time!! None of the other guides on the area even comes close. It is the most detailed guide I've read on the Okavango, Chobe, Makgadikgadi, and the northern Kalahari. In my view the information seems to be very up-to-date (which is not true for Bradts second edition on Namibia!). This book is suitable for people going on an organized safari (I envy them their $'s and the luxury that awaits them :-) ), and those planning an independent self-drive. The maps are good, and a number of useful GPS coordinates are included. The descriptions of off some of the beaten track sites that I have visited are very accurate. If you are a self-drive tourist you might want to look at Mike Mains: "African Adventurer's Guide to Botswana". It has many trails that are more detailed in the same region, but lacks the overview given in this guide describing the many concession areas surrounding the Okavango. The book also includes a very useful section on Livingstone in Zambia, telling you how to get the most out of your visit to the famed Victoria Falls. What do I miss? Talking to Elein Drotsky, she mentioned that here sisters company could arrange boat trips from Shakawe to Maun, water levels permitting. There is no mention of this or any other such service in the book, guess I'll have to do some digging on that one myself. All in all, your $'s, �'s, �'s or Rand's will be well spent on this guide. ... Read more

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

Reviews (1)

EXCELLENT guide to Cape Town
I spent a month in Cape Town and this guide was always by my side. Excellent guide with wonderful endearing side bars on locals-it gives you a great sense of Cape Town and its local flavour. All the sections are dead on. I found the dining and shopping extremely helpful with its guide to what is uniquely Capetonian. This is by far the best guide to Cape Town out now. The writers and contributors for this guide should be commended. ... 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 (1)

Highly informative, practical, and resourceful
Among the number of titles that we reviewed on our recent sailing charter in the Seychelles, this and the Sarah Carpin guide book (both 2005 publications) served us the best.In fact, this book was so recently made available that it arrived 2 days before our trip and we elected to ditch the Lonely Planet for the Bradt.
Read more

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

Subjects:  1. Antiquities    2. Great Zimbabwe (Extinct city)    3. Zimbabwe   

Reviews (5)

Modern slavery, boy soldiers and African Diaspora
This is a fascinating account of how orphaned Sudanese displaced in struggles with northern miltias, found new lives in the US. The volume is particularly useful because it shows the connection between wars of religion and region, the slaving expeditions conducted by janjaweed Islamic militias, and the politics of recruiting for rebel liberation movements in the south. Short on arms, money, soldiers and international sympathy, the southern Sudanese seek international attention to the problems of post-colonial boundaries and rights. They have learned to use the politics of refugee camps to leverage attention and forces. The fortitude of these survivors is amazing, no matter how complicated the story of their displacement turns out to be.

Full review of Bixler's book
The Lost Boys of Sudan: An American Story of the Refugee Experience, by Mark Bixler.The University of Georgia Press, 2005.Pp. 261.
Interesting Reading
Learned a lot about the area of Sudan and trials that a refugee faces cominginto the US when not working with a host family. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    3. Men's Studies - General    4. Middle East - Egypt    5. Social Science    6. Sociology    7. Travelers    8. Modern fiction    9. USA   

Reviews (11)

Author Nailed It
I worked in Liberia for a year and could tell some of the same stories.Utter corruption at every level coupled with the average government fuctionary's well developed sense of his/her own importance makes dealing with them something that would lead Mother Teresa to drink.As the book makes clear, the state exists to serve the "elite", i.e. the gangsters.The author puts in all down in facinating detail.Haven't seen another book that captures what's wrong in Africa with such insight.Since the book was published Equatorial Guinea, the country that's the focus of the book, has come into a lot of oil wealth.The money has all disappeared into various off shore accounts owned by the gangsters in charge without benefiting the people one iota. Nothing ever changes.

excellent book
engaging and informative. a must for those interested in economic rehabilitation of west african countries.

very insightful
(Memoir) Account of author's work as leader of
Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Development - Economic Development    3. Economic assistance    4. Economic policy    5. Equatorial Guinea    6. General    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Travel    9. Development economics    10. Development studies   

Editorial Review

In our culture, the word Read more

Reviews (2)

Highly recommended
This is a book that captures the beauty of elegance in the wilderness.The photographs are impressive and, together with intelligently written text, successfully convey the ambiance of those lodges and tent camps shown.

Lovely to look at...
I loved the first half of this book. It's filled with dreamy mosquito netted fantasy rooms and is a real delight to look at. The second half,in general, seemed to feature more contrived sort of interiors, a little bit too over the top for me. Overall a really pretty book full of lovely pictures and a totally different world. A must for anyone with rustic/tribal/colonial sort of tendencies. I must admit I haven't read a great deal of the text yet so I can't comment on that, but it's the pictures that make this sort of book worthwhile and there are plenty of those. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Africa, Sub-Saharan    3. Architecture    4. Decoration    5. Decoration & Ornament    6. Safari lodges    7. Special Interest - Adventure    8. Travel - Foreign    9. Interior design    10. Places & peoples: general interest   

Reviews (1)

One of the most comprehensive texts on Sub-Saharan Africa.
This is one of the most comprehensive books written onSub-Saharan Africa.It starts off with the spatial location of theregion and the physical aspects - Climate, Vegetation, Soils, and Drainage, that makes the region unique.The authors go on to discussing the human-environmental impacts, one of the most problematic of environmental activities in Sub-Saharan Africa.They discuss reasons for deforestation in Africa South of the Sahara, effects of forest degradation, and desertification a very real problem of desert encroachment that has turned productive lands in Sub-Saharan Africa into desert environments.One of the topics covered in this text that is absent in many textbooks is the Historical Background of Sub-Saharan Africa, especially when most of the old historical records are said to be "non-existent" because of the lack of a written language in the region.The authors have done a good job incorporating culture, conflict of culture and change in the face of cultural multiplicity of that exists in this region.Another important aspect of this book is the comprehensive coverage of gender and the roles of men and women in this part of the world.This book is interesting to read, it is informative and best of all, it is current. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Africa - General    3. Africa, Sub-Saharan    4. Earth Sciences - Geography    5. Environmental Science    6. Environmental Studies    7. Geography    8. History    9. History: World    10. Regional geography    11. Science / Geography    12. Sub-Saharan Africa   

Reviews (19)

Amateur effort - not recommended
Wouldn't recommend it except to fill out your background reading of a fairly obsessive couple preparing to and then climbing. Much better books available such as "Kilimanjaro: A Guide to Climbing Africa's Highest Mountain, Includes City Guides to Arusha, Moshi, Marangu, Nairobi and Dar Es Salaam" by Henry Stedman.

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
The book provides an exceptional insight into climbing the mountain. Lots of information, practical tips and experiences. Written in an easy to read style. Invaluable to anyone like me who is intending to climb the mountain.

Not worth your time
I've often thought about writing a book about a trip as a way to deduct the expense from my taxes, but I've refrained for fear that the result would end up like this book.Poorly written with very limited content, this book is of little interest and very limited use to anyone actually planning to climb Kilimanjaro.It's chief value is as personal account of the authors' climb, but you can find many similar accounts for free on personal websites everywhere. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Kilimanjaro, Mount    3. Kilimanjaro, Mount (Tanzania)    4. Mountaineering    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Tanzania   

Reviews (2)

Unique and Amazing
I have never seen anything like this book.I traveled to Africa on safari some years ago and this is the first book to capture my impression of the place.Unlike the documentary photographic books available of wildlife, this artist has managed to illustrate the surreal sense one experiences on these kinds of visits to this wonderful continent.The format makes it a collector's edition; anyone who has ever been on safari or wants to go on one from his/her living room cannot be without this extraordinary art piece and voyage.

COLLECTOR'S ITEM
This book stands out for two reasons.Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. General    4. Individual Artist    5. Individual Painters - Contemporary    6. Techniques - Painting - Specific Subjects    7. Techniques - Watercolor Painting    8. Watercolor Painting    9. Art / Individual Artist    10. Travel / Africa   

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Kenya    6. Tanzania    7. Travel & holiday guides    8. Travel / Africa   

Reviews (19)

The Asiatic Facial Features of the Sphinx........
What an astounding read!Author Peter Tompkins has written the one book that can be called 'must read' for anyone wishing to peel back a bit the veil shrouding the Great Pyramids at the Giza Plateau.It has always been my personal conviction, after watching Discovery documentarys about the pyramids in Egypt, that whoever built this singular remaining 7th Wonder of the World were masters of precision and material construction.Most striking to me is that since these mammoth structures are 40 stories tall, once having a limestone polished and near seamless mantle however many eons ago, and are in no way a product of mass work force - not by conventionary (hauling stones by rope and ramp) means anyway.If these pyramids, the great pyramid in particular, are so exact in their layout, then whoever built them must have left a clue as to who they were, where they came from.It is my absolute belief that the sphinx is the answer for several reasons.#1) In ancient Hindu culture there were (still exist?) statues of a mans body having a lions face.Obviously, the sphinx is simply a reversal of this theme.#2) In the Baghavad Gita, it speaks of a Hindu/Indian king travelling to what is now Cairo, establishing a society there, and accomplishing many spectacular feats.#3) Because whoever built these pyramids of Giza were highly advanced, which should be of no debate anymore, they did in fact leave several clues, the most important of which is the Sphinx.Debate has waged for thousands of years, across the globe, as to who were the pyramid builders?Well, in the face of the Sphinx I think there lies a secret, or rather a blatant hint, that being the high cheek bones of the personified once ruler or king, as well as the wonderful symmetry of the eye structure.Because of this symmetry, emphasising as well the astounding symmetry present in the pyramid itself and its many oddities, I cannot think anything other than that the original builders of the Great Pyramid at Giza where of some Asiatic ancestry.Please allow me to excerpt Tompkins Introductory paragraphs, which beyond everything else making this book the only authoritative scientific examination of the pyramids' origin yet published.Here goes, prepared to be puzzled: (the following is close to verbatim)
Very intruiging book
A friend of mine recommended that I read this book, so I picked up a copy from the library and sat down one night to start reading it.I then proceeded to stay up until 6 AM because it was such an interesting book that I didn't want to put it down.If it were not for the vast amounts of evidence that Tompkins provides, I would have dismissed his theory (that the pyramids were designed and built by a very advanced race who existed before the Egyptians) as a wacky conspiracy theory.I am still not completely convinced that he is correct in his theories, but I am doing more research into the subject as a result of this book.Other authors seem to agree with his conclusions (i.e. Graham Hancock, John West, Robert Bauval, etc.), and they provide further evidence, so it is not something you can simply dismiss.Even if you disagree with Tompkin's conclusions, this book will make you think.All of the exceptional properties of the pyramid which Tompkin outlines cannot all be coincidental as conventional Egyptologists claim, so at the very least Tomkins provides a rather stunning blow to contemporary Egyptology.
THE Classic Great Pyramid Book!
Secrets of the Great Pyramids is the original book that first alighted my interest in ancient Egypt, Atlantis, and the mystery of who we really are. Richly illustrated with photographs, engravings, and diagrams, it still inflames my imagination about this only existing wonder of the ancient world.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Essays & Travelogues    2. General    3. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    4. Ancient Egypt    5. Asian / Middle Eastern history: BCE to c 500 CE    6. BCE to c 500 CE   

Reviews (1)

Great resource
This map is packed with our carry ons. It is a great resource! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. General    3. Travel / road maps & atlases    4. Uganda   

Reviews (10)

*** A light in darkest Africa, circa 1893
In 1893 Mary Kingsley, a single Victorian woman, traveled alone to Africa. The sources of her interest in Africa are obscure. Possibly the tales her father brought back to England of his extensive travels lie at the root of her own interest. In any case her account of her travels in west and west-central Africa are a remarkable addition to our knowledge of the region during the early years of the colonial period. Kingsley wrote with a very outward focus. We hear little of her inner feelings, her comfort or lack thereof. Rather, she is consumed with a desire to know the land and its human and natural inhabitants.
Fascinating and Still Very Readable
Although some of her comments about "the African Mind" and her belief in the unassailable superiority of Europeans is off-putting, she was otherwise a fine writer and this book is a considerable pleasure to read. Highly recommended.

A classic of travel writing.
Single and independent, with a small allowance after the death of her parents, Mary Kingsley decides to explore Africa. She sets off to the Congo, with no entourage nor special clothing and with no knowledge of the local lingo, knowing that this area was renowned for cannibals. Considering that Richard Burton set off to find the centre of Africa with an entourage of 600 bearers puts Ms.Kingsley's trip into perspective.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1862-1900    2. 18th And 19th Century Description And Travel    3. Africa    4. Africa - General    5. Africa, West    6. Description and travel    7. General    8. Journeys    9. Kingsley, Mary Henrietta,    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Special Interest - Adventure    12. Travel    13. Travel - General    14. West Africa - History    15. Clark, William    16. Classic travel writing    17. Diaries    18. Lewis, Meriwether    19. Travel / General    20. West Africa    21. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (1)

Correction to Amazon description
This text consists of 8 chapters focused on the entire continent of Africa and 22 chapters devoted to the regions of Subsaharan Africa. The Amazon description of the content of the book is in error.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Africa, Sub-Saharan    3. Earth Sciences - Geography    4. Geography    5. Science    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Travel - Foreign    8. Geography | Physical    9. Regional geog