Reviews (1)

Uselss for planning a trip
I would give this zero stars if I could.It has no hotel recommendations, is badly organized, no decent map, its hard to find things in it, no distance charts.I am an experienced traveler and accustomed to using guidebooks.I bought this one sight unseen based primarily on its low price and the Fodor's name, but will be returning it and purchasing a guidebook that has useful information and is easy to use. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Travel / Africa   

Subjects:  1. Apartheid    2. Blacks    3. Documentary photography    4. Exhibitions    5. Goldblatt, David    6. Individual Photographer    7. Photo Essays    8. Photo Techniques    9. Photoessays & Documentaries    10. Photography    11. Race relations    12. Social conditions    13. South Africa    14. Subjects & Themes - Travel - World/Africa    15. Individual photographers    16. Photographs: collections    17. Postwar period, 1945 to c 2000    18. Republic of South Africa   

Subjects:  1. 20th Century Description And Travel    2. Africa - General    3. Description and travel    4. History    5. History: World    6. Hoagland, Edward    7. Hoagland, Edward - Prose & Criticism    8. Social conditions    9. Sudan    10. Travel    11. Africa    12. Journeys    13. Modern fiction    14. Travel / Africa    15. Travel writing   

Reviews (7)

Fascinating
Considering that this book was written in the early 1800's and is a true story, I am totally impressed.The whole concept of slavery and how it applied to white and black people in the early 19th century in Africa before it even became an issue! Extraordinary accounting of true life at it's most extreme.

Abolitionists' bible
After the war of 1812, Captain James Riley was employed as master and supercargo of the brig Commerce from Hartford, Connecticut. He shipped a crew of George Williams, chief mate, Aaron Savage, second mate, William Porter, Archibald Robbins, Thomas Burns and several others. He sailed for New Orleans in May 1815, passed the Bahamas and Florida Keys, (not without incident: the ship ran aground, before Riley freed her) and, in early August, reached Gibraltar. While headed for Cape de Verds, Riley ran the Commerce off course, and was shipwrecked in breakers off the Sahara.
Brig Commerce
We should all be grateful that his book was reissued.It is truly a remarkable account of the danger of seafaring merchants during the early 19th C.Written in the style and the variable spelling of that period, the book prompted me to search out a map of northwestern Africa so I could follow the plight of Riley and his crew.Given that this narration was one of the few books owned by the young Abe Lincoln, one can already see the seeds of the abolition movement after the slavery tables were turned (English speaking whites being enslaved by Africans).One detail not in the book is that a cousin, Justus Riley, from Weathersfield, Connecticut, owned the brig Commerce along with his partners, the Savages of Hartford.Ship insurance would have paid the owners for the loss of the ship, but not the master of the ship, in this case James Riley.It is fortunate James wrote his account as it permitted him to move to Ohio during the US western expansion. Anyone who loves the O'Brien books will love this book -- I keep hoping it will be made into a screenplay. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Africa - General    3. Africa, North    4. Commerce (Brig)    5. Description and travel    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History: World    9. Maritime History    10. Sahara    11. Slavery    12. World - General    13. Biography: general    14. Travel / Africa   

Editorial Review

If one picture is worth a thousand words, then the combination of text and images in Read more

Reviews (3)

Very good
Dear Sirs, One of the only, andbest, ethnographies of the Wodabe.
Nomads of Niger is an excellently written and colorful depiction of the life of the ancient nomadic Fulani or "Peul" people.Belonging to the group known as the Wodabe or Bororo, these nomadic herders of Niger(actually in this case moving into Chad, Cameroon and Central AfricanRupublic as well) have roamed for centuries across the sub-Saharanbushland, surviving where few others could.Living very simply, yet lovingbeauty and esthetics, their intricate culture and open hospitality isfascinating -- especially as it is is found in one of the harshest livingenvironments on earth. This book has excellent coverage on the Wodaabe
This is truly a wonderful book.The photos are beautiful and depicts the Wodaabe just as they are.The text is very accurate. Although published in 1983 these people are still very much the same today.Read more

Subjects:  1. Bargain Books    2. Bororo (African people)    3. Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies - Tribes    4. Niger    5. Nomads    6. Pictorial works    7. Sale Adult - Travel - General    8. Social life and customs    9. Nigeria    10. Places & peoples: general interest    11. Social Science / Anthropology / General    12. Sale Books   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. General    3. Maps    4. Maps & Road Atlases    5. Travel    6. Senegal    7. Travel / road maps & atlases   

Reviews (2)

Horrible
Whatever you do- DONT buy this worthless book. Unless you just want to stay in 5 star lodges and do and see NOTHING ELSE. I had the Lonely Planet Kenya that I dragged with me backpacking in Kenya- It was wonderful. The East Africa Lonely Planet is great too. Save your money!

Not for Tanzania
The coverage of Tanzania in this book is quite sparse. I did not find it to be useful at all, and a great disappointment. I then went out and bought Lonely Planet's book on Tanzania, and was very pleased with the depth of information it offered, including such things as maps of towns with locations of ATM's, hotels, etc and color photographs. This is a much more useful book if you are going to Tanzania. ... Read more

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

Reviews (2)

What if........
My girlfriend was intent on taking a trip to Egypt and I have to say that I panicked at the thought of going to a strange country. I was used to holidaying on Spanish islands and other Mediterranean beaches so a trip to such an unknown quantity was needless to say a little daunting.
Very useful travel book
I bought this book in order to help us prepare for our first Egypt trip and I wasn't disappointed, as there is so much useful and interesting info, especially regarding on how to barter with the locals.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Middle East - Egypt    2. Reference - Cruise Guides    3. Reference - General    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Egypt    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (16)

It all comes together and makes an unforgettable point
Although I was immediately fascinated by the historical and literary detective story of the 12th century Jewish merchant and his Indian servant, I did not fully understand Ghosh's mission in writing this book until nearly at the end. Then it became clear to me. This book is an elegy for a way of life that is forever lost. In the 12th century, Jews, Muslims, and Hindus worked in tandem as traders and merchants, with the only reprisals being angry remonstrances rather than armed violence. What we call sophisticated Western civilization has changed all of that.
A fascinating read.
Amitav Ghosh has for long being a favorite - for his simple and lucid style of writing as well as his wordplay when describing the swirling moods of a changing landscape. He is at his most competentIn an Antique Land.
Brilliant mix of travelogue, biography and history
The narrative weaves between Ghosh's account of a year spent living in modern-day Egypt; and the second storyline, his reconstruction of the fascinating life of a medieval Jewish Arab merchant who travelled to India, married a local woman and settled there.Read more

Subjects:  1. 12th cent    2. Ben Yiju, Abraham,    3. Biography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Egypt    6. Essays & Travelogues    7. General    8. Ghosh, Amitav    9. Jewish merchants    10. Literary    11. Middle East - Egypt    12. Slavery    13. Slaves    14. Travel    15. Travel - General    16. Ben Yijû, Abraham    17. Bomma    18. Journeys    19. Travel / Middle East / General   

Reviews (4)

A must read for world travelers
The book starts in San Diego and whisks you off at the speed of a VW van to Mexico and Africa.The best part of the book is the honesty of Richard Ligato.He doesn't make you think its an easy trip, in fact, he and his wife Amandahave to overcome all kinds of obstacles. However, he remains very reflective and humbled by the whole experience.This book really draws you in to their world.A great read for anyone interested in traveling outside of the US.Lots of interesting facts and bits of trivia too.

An amazing journey
The Ligatos have accomplished a goal that most of us only dream of.Their 3-year adventure is both heartwarming and nail-biting.They tell their stories with such clarity and passion that you can't help but get wrapped up in their adventures.
Best Travel Book Ever
This book is great!I couldnt put it down.Takes the reader along on the adventure and shares unique cultural insights. Truly an amazing acomplishment, both the trip and the book.I hope the Authors write another soon. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Travel   

Editorial Review

If you enjoyed Read more

Reviews (20)

Beautiful memoir!
Through this well written memoir you get to learn a lot about Africa, specially about Rwandas history. Rosamund's life story is very interesting, the choices she made, the oportunities life offered to her and that she took. It's great to see all the good deeds she made and the things she achieved inspite of all the caos Rwanda has gone through in the last decades. She takes care of lots of orphan kids and shelters them at her property. She does her best to help these kids become the best they can be even they live surrounded by danger. I enjoyed the book very much and learned more about Africa and about humanity as well.

50 years are artfully packed into this memoir
What a well-written book! It reads like the memoir that it is, and memoirs require special storytelling skills when they cover an entire 50 years.And this is what the book does--covers 50 years of the author's life and Rwandan history.
Fascinating look into Rwanda's history
My interest in Rwanda was spurred by watching the movie "Hotel Rwanda" and reading "The Poisonwood Bible" (which is set in next door Congo).This book follows the life of a young woman that marries an African adventurer and goes there at a fairly young age.She winds up spending practically the rest of her life there, and provides a unique and interesting perspective on Rwanda's history.Watching "Hotel Rwanda" gave me only a snapshot - leading me to think that Hutus were crazy blood thirsty savages going after Tutsis.Well, many of them were, but this book gave me a little of the background as to why the Hutus are so crazy and militant.Rwanda certainly has had a turbulent history.
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Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Ethnic Cultures - General    4. Travelers    5. Women    6. Biography & Autobiography / General    7. Biography: general    8. Rwanda   

Editorial Review

Orin Hargraves, author of Read more

Reviews (8)

What about the language?
It is all very well, but the main vehicle of culture is the language. This book is helpful in highlighting cultural features but a good section on the language would also be a good idea.

Well, now I'm excited
After reading this book, now I'm all the more excited to go to Morocco.Hargraves paints such a vivid picture of the people, the culture.It is a complicated society, very foreign to my understanding and experience.And yet, as I read through it, so many times, page after page, I realize that the culture is so familiar, so like my experience.Most of all, I now understand that it will take a lifetime to learn to adapt to Moroccan culture.I am eager to see how the words lift off the pages and into reality.
A must for anyone living with a Moroccan or in Morocco
I have spent 3 summers in Morocco and 5 years with my husband who is Moroccan and this book clarified a lot aspects of Moroccan life for me.No matter how objective one may be about cultural differences, it helps tohave a neutral party explain what is happening in a given interaction. Ididn't even realize how much I suffered from culture shock until I read"Culture Shock!"Particually helpful were the author's commentson the difference in Western and Eastern concepts of personal space, publicspace and privacy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Africa - General    3. Reference - General    4. Special Interest - Business Travel    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign   

Subjects:  1. Africa, East    2. Description and travel   

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Africa, Eastern    3. Essays & Travelogues    4. Guidebooks    5. National parks and reserves    6. Reference - General    7. Travel    8. Travel - Foreign    9. Wildlife    10. Wildlife watching    11. Zoology   

Reviews (4)

an example of Orientalism and racism, and its effect on Western perception of the East.....
I was required to read Flaubert's account of his travels in Egypt, when I was in my senior year of college.We were doing an extensive study on the effects of the mentality of "us" versus "them."A prime example was in the travels, made by Europeans, to the East, as well as to other countries that became colonized parts of North and South America.Though, many people consider this a classic novel (hence, it is one of Penguin Classics' "classic" pieces of literature).
Best Travel Journal Book Ever
Kerouac isn't qualified to hold Flaubert's pen. Orientalism
In 1849 Gustave Flaubert was twenty eight.He had an air of athletic vigor.He was the son of a doctor.He had always written.At this point he had finished THE TEMPTATION OF SAINT ANTHONY.Friends suggested he use a story known to him, perhaps through his father, that became the basis for MADAME BOUVARY.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1821-1880    2. 19th century    3. Authors, French    4. Description and travel    5. Diaries    6. Egypt    7. Essays & Travelogues    8. Flaubert, Gustave,    9. French    10. French Literature    11. History    12. Literature - Classics / Criticism    13. Middle East - Egypt    14. Travel    15. Classic travel writing    16. Flaubert, Gustave    17. Journeys    18. Other prose: 19th century    19. Travel / Essays & Travelogues    20. c 1800 to c 1900   

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. General    3. Pictorials    4. Subjects & Themes - Travel - General    5. Travel    6. Travel - General   

Reviews (6)

A photographer!?!? with questionnable intellectual honesty
I meant to give a rating below 1 Star but since this is the lowest, I hope that potential readers won't throw away their hard earned cash in buying this book. If you still want to buy it, go to your local bookstore as you will have a greater chance of finding a DUSTY copy of this book: ... ... G.P. Barbieri is without contest a good snapshooter if one judges it from the TECHNICAL quality of his work. But where he fails is in his intellectual honesty: How could ... a book [like this be about ]Madagascar if it only contains mediocre nude or semi-nude works done at few huts at the shore of Madagascar? I think and agree with many readers ... that not only exploited anddisrespected his subjects by including them in the wrong publication, but he has also made a disservice for all photographers out there who at least have the decency of intellectual honesty and respect to the art.But then, ... what is art and what isn't?

How to Exploit People for Your Own Ends: A Primer
Having travelled in Madagascar, I was very interested to see Barbieri's book, MADAGASCAR, advertised by a bargain books dealer.I've always beenfascinated by that faraway red island of Afro-Indonesian culture, lemurs,and chameleons.Since I'd read a number of good books about the place,none of which had extraordinary pictures, I thought this book would be anexcellent addition to my small collection.I thought wrong. This book of extraordinary photographs shows their dignity
I think I must offer this review to help to balance the negative reviews that are here.This is a work of stunningly beautiful photography.Clearly, Barbieri has gone beyond his usual fashion domain with thesephotographs.The works have an anthropological sense, but they show thephotographers great appreciation for the people of the island ofMadagascar.The people come across with immense dignity, even though theirpoverty is sometimes apparent.What nudity is included seems very natural.This book is a fine work of art. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    2. HotelsInnsetc.    3. Photography    4. Subjects & Themes - Travel - World/Africa    5. Travel   

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

Reviews (4)

Alison Bing Fan Club!
Alison Bing knows Marrakesh inside out. Following her foot steps off the beaten path - made for an incredible, fairytale journey. You can tell she's done her research and is passionate about sharing her explorations. Now only if we knew what part of the world she'll review next...We'd sign up in a heart beat!

Like having a friend who just went and is excited to tell of her discoveries
After trying a few examples she gave, we quickly realized she had great taste, an eye for beauty, and really understood the wonders of foreign adventures. If she says do it - do it!

Marrakesh through the eyes of Ms. Alison Bing
We used tips from Alison Bing on a recent trip to Marrakesh and were thrilled with the results.She offers suggestions to explore this city that stimulate all of your senses.From her descriptions of the city, you gather that she not only visited and explored this city in great detail but she also met and came to understand its inhabitants. ... Read more

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

Subjects:  1. Africa - General    2. General    3. Multicultural Education    4. Photo Techniques    5. Photoessays & Documentaries    6. Photography    7. Photojournalism    8. Subjects & Themes - Travel - World/Africa    9. African history: postwar, from c 1945 -    10. Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)    11. Photography / General