Reviews (2)

Ghana on the ground
Observations, current and pertainent info, from knowledgeable travelers who've been there. This is the stuff you want to know to plan a successful journey.

An Excellent Travel Guide
If you are traveling to Ghana, West Africa, this is the essential guide to have with you.It has an easy to read layout and includes everything you would ever need to know.I highly recommend this if you are going to that area.I am glad I own a copy! ... Read more

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

Reviews (2)

Robert Young Pelton
I've read everything he has out.Loved it!It's current (as books go), funny, serious and a great read!

A must of the armchair traveller....
Not exactly LP, but it tells stories of two places that beenRead more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. People of Color    3. Special Interest - Adventure    4. Travel    5. Travelers    6. Australasia, Oceania & Other Land Areas    7. Chechnya    8. Papua New Guinea    9. Russia    10. Sierra Leone    11. Travel / Adventure    12. Travel writing    13. Warfare & Defence   

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 It is also a little out of date eg.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 (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   

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
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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   

Reviews (9)

Inspiring story and intriguing cross-cultural observations
A man in Africa becomes intrigued with Greenland and finds a way to get there, live with Greenlanders--what a story!He is also clear-eyed and unsentimental about what he experiences.A fast, worthwhile read.

Remarkable Journey, Remarkable Man
AN AFRICAN IN GREENLAND is the most remarkable travel journal I have read in a very long time. As a boy in Togo, Kpomassie was injured and while recovering read a book on Greenland that seized his imagination. The book recounts the events that led to this early obsession with Greenland, his efforts to reach the country and his travels in Greenland once he arrived. Kpomassie is a charming and honest narrator. He is at once perceptive, wry and compassionate in his account. He describes his travels and interactions with various cultures with almost anthropological detail and yet he never forgets the people he meets are human, wonderfully flawed perhaps, but human nonetheless. He turns his critical eye on his Togolese upbringing, his time in France, Germany and Denmark and ultimately Greenland. He never neglects to mention his own foibles, in his interactions in the lives of those he meets. (How could he not since he was the first African most of the Greenlanders had seen.) The story is also tinged with sadness for the loss the customs and rituals Kpomassie had hoped to witness in Greenland, the combined poverty and generosity of the people and the inevitable sorrow of ending a journey. It is a fascinating study of Greenland but also a study of a man pursuing a dearly held dream and that is what makes it such a satisfying read.

African heart and Greenlandic soul
I finished the entire book in 1 night :) Kpomassie is a charming person, both astute and innocent.His clear writing describes life on the isolated island: brawls and dances and drinking, poverty and neglect, snowfall thick as a million feathers, Danish influence and the autumn sickness. His observations of the Eskimos are not tainted by romantic Western misconceptions ... to say the least. This is really 3 travelogues in 1: Greenland, Denmark and the author's native Togo. After reading this, Greenland is on my "must see" list. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Biography    3. Description And Travel    4. Essays & Travelogues    5. Europe - Iceland & Greenland    6. Greenland    7. Kpomassie, Tete-Michel    8. Kpomassie, Tâetâe-Michel    9. Social Science    10. Sociology    11. Togo    12. Travel    13. Travel - Foreign    14. Travelers    15. Travel / Essays & Travelogues    16. Travel / General    17. Travel writing    18. Travel Literature   

Editorial Review

When Angola achieved its hard-won independence in 1974, rival rebel factions began to fight for control of the state. As in Latin America, the "liberating" rebel forces were often as brutal as the autocratic, established regime. The result is a country still ravaged by unspeakable violence, corruption, and an ongoing power struggle. Portuguese journalist/author Pedro Rosa Mendes tells the story of modern-day Angola in Read more

Reviews (1)

Ceci n'est pas un livre de voyage
When trying to picture yourself Angola after having read this book, you probably would come up with just an empty land. But pretty much as the editorial review promises, that empty space is filled with stories. Stories from ordinary people who have extraordinary things to say. Stories about corruption, lost loves, lost limbs, lost homes and stolen cattle. The stories are being alternated with some of the harsh travel moments from the writer. Nothing seems to have a beginning, an end nor a goal, it all seems to come down to lost hope. The poetic and sometimes even surreal approach doesn't make this one a sad or a desperate read though. But it doesn't make the book a page turner either.
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Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Africa - General    3. Africa - History +    4. Angola    5. Civil War, 1975-    6. Description And Travel    7. History    8. History - General History    9. Literature: Classics    10. Social aspects    11. War victims    12. Current Events / General   

Subjects:  1. 1890-1976    2. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    3. Exhibition Catalogs    4. Exhibitions    5. Individual Photographer    6. Photo Essays    7. Photography    8. Photography, Artistic    9. Strand, Paul,    10. Egypt    11. Ghana    12. Italy    13. Morocco    14. Photographs: collections    15. Photography / Travel    16. Places & peoples: general interest    17. Romania    18. Scotland   

Reviews (1)

Nice map, with a couple of shortcomings
Easily readable large-scale map of Ghana.One side depicts the southern half of the country, the other side the north.I can't vouch for the entire map, but the areas I've visited appear to be accurately depicted.It could be improved on two points:First the ancient historic mosques (e.g.; the famous one in Larabanga) are not marked, either as historic sites or as mosques.Furthermore, this the first map I've ever seen that lacks any mileage information, either using a scale of miles, or by noting distances between points.But since it's marked as 1:500000 scale, the math works out to 1cm = 5km.Handy to know that. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Maps & Road Atlases    2. Travel    3. Ghana    4. Travel / road maps & atlases   

Reviews (10)

Must read for World Savers
I spent 6 months in Africa while in college and was seriously considering joining the Peace Corps when I came across Packer's book. I was very realistic about the comic grind that is day-to-day life in Africa and the maze of paperwork, mind-numbing waiting for mundane administrative tasks to be accomplished and pervasive acceptance of inefficiency. However, Packer's book really brought home to me the toll of isolation takes on your ability to cope with these realities. Early on, Packer states that Peace Corps volunteers fall into 2 categories, the world savers and the folks that just to try to help in a small way and enjoy the experience. Packer recognizes he falls into the second category and even the detachment humor and a bit of cynicism can not protect him from the inequities and pain of life in pre-AIDS ridden Africa. I thought the book was honest and is on my list of 'must reads' for those thinking about committing full time to any volunteer group.

A book of little inherent value.
I have to disagree with every review written about this book thusfar.It is not well written, for one.The style is amateurish, and it has little substance.
Profound in its Simplicity
George Packer's ability to describe the lives of many who live in Togo make this piece of text a must-read for all, even for those who do not have an interest in serving in the Peace Corps. He writes with raw emotion and sincerity, without a tad of pretense. I'd say that Packer's foremost accomplishment in this text is that he makes no attempt to tell a story about how a superior white individual intervenes in a remote village and rids the residents of poverty and illiteracy.Rather, The Village of Waiting is a sincere account of his realization that sadly, some things just cannot be altered. I think Packer knew this from the outset, but it is interesting to read about he endures this realization during his 2-year service in Togo. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1960-    2. Africa - General    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Description And Travel    5. Essays & Travelogues    6. General    7. Packer, George,    8. Peace Corps (U.S.)    9. Social life and customs    10. Togo    11. Travel    12. Travel - General    13. Non-Classifiable    14. Packer, George   

Reviews (11)

An essential Book!
Living in Ghana for 7 months would have been impossible without this book (or its predecessor) to help me. Packed with information that is easy to read, set out clearly and in not to small a print! This new edition has accounts by people who have lived or visited these places to give you another take on things. Phillip Briggs writes with enthusiasm and because he has actually been to these places and stayed there for some time he is familiar with the way of things. My book was falling apart by the time I left as it had been used, thumbed through and taken so many places. I will definately be using Bradt travel guides whenever I go away again.

The Bradt guide rocks my world!
The Bradt guide was indispensible during my 2 month stay in Ghana.While there were some inaccurate prices quoted, Briggs did explain in his introduction that these prices fluctuate with a currency as weak as the cedi and therefore this was expected.I found the book to be immensely useful and accurate.I would recommend it to anyone traveling to Ghana for any length of time and I eagerly await the 3rd edition.

Travel to Ghana with this book
This is absolutely the best guide book for traveling to Ghana. I don't know how I would have gotten around without it. The Bradt guide covers all the regions of Ghana intensively with clear descriptions of transportation, accommodation, where to eat, etc. What makes this book stand out from the rest are the maps of small towns and villages that are detailed and very accurate. Read more

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

Reviews (4)

Found what he went looking for and more
Graham Greene was weary and appalled by the world atrocities of the early 20th century.He decided to go looking for life as basic and unspoiled as it was in the beginning.He chose to do so in Liberia, the African nation that had always been under black rule and not colonized or fleeced by Europe in modern times, though even it was a western construct, carved out of the continent by Americans as a homeland to repatriate freed slaves (or, as Greene says, a place to hide mulatto offspring).His trek on foot lasted the month of February 1935, and JOURNEY WITHOUT MAPS is his account of what became a transformative experience.
Greene's geographical foray
I've read a number of Greene's novels, but this little travel book was equal to his other publications.As usual, his attention to detail, people, and culture creates wonderful images that bring us right to the Liberia of the 1930s.I shared the book with my sister who lived in Liberia for 27 yrs. and she was astonished at the accurate reporting.His prose is the best I've read for a book devoted to travel experiences.

Real Life "Adventure"
Not an adventure when compared to fictional safari tales in which the intrepid travellers fight off fierce lions and savage "natives" in every chapter. Instead, an enjoyable and realistic account of Greene's arduous and near-disasterous trek through Liberia. Greene travelled with his cousin, Barbara Greene, who also wrote an account of their journey--Too Late to Turn Back. Interesting contrasts between the two books if you can find copies of both. I had to order a copy of Barbara's book from a used book store in England. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1904-1991    2. Africa    3. Africa, West    4. Description And Travel    5. Essays & Travelogues    6. Greene, Graham,    7. Guinea    8. Liberia    9. Travel    10. Travel - Foreign    11. Travel / Essays & Travelogues   

Subjects:  1. Gabon    2. Travel / road maps & atlases   

Subjects:  1. Benin    2. Togo    3. Travel / road maps & atlases   

Reviews (1)

You can Rely on Stuart Butler
Thank you Stuart Butler for your candor, insights, and helpful information for traveling in Benin.It is a beautiful country with warm, wonderful people.Your book helped prepare me for what to expect, what to avoid, and how to enjoy Benin to its fullest.I also appreciate the folk lore stories and actual historic events you described.I would highly recommend this travel guide as it contains dependable and realisticinformation.I will definitely look forward to you sharing more of your travel adventures in future travel guides. ... Read more

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

Subjects:  1. Black studies    2. Ghana    3. Travel writing   

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

Reviews (2)

A vigorous, moving read
Black Gold Of The Sun: Searching For Home In Africa And Beyond is a lyrical memoir telling of a prominent critic and Afro-American writer born to African parents in London. Always between two worlds, Eshun set off for Ghana in 2001 to find his roots: Black Gold Of The Sun chronicles his journey and search for both self and cultural influences, and makes for a vigorous, moving read.
A Courageous Passage To Belonging!
Ekow Eshun embarks upon an enlightening search for his identity and true heritage in Black Gold Of The Sun, Searching For Home in Africa and Beyond. Revealing a rich history between Africa and Europe and the practice of slave trading. Exposing some truths about his ancestors that will instead produce more questions for him to ponder.
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Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. British    7. Description And Travel    8. Essays & Travelogues    9. Ghana    10. Ghanaians    11. Great Britain    12. Personal Memoirs    13. Racially mixed people    14. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Reviews (13)

To Timbuktu has all that a travel book should
To Timbuktu combines the three things necessary for a great travel book: adventure, history, and humor. The central theme of the book is Jenkins search for the source of the Niger River, but that is merely the rack from which Jenkins explores issues such as friendship, humanity, and cultural differences. That said this book is not dense or slow. In fact it is an extremely quick read. Jenkins writing is sometimes boastful and sometimes self-effacing, but always efficient and entertaining. Couldn't disagree more with those in here
who chastise Jenkins for his "machismo" and affix to him the "Ugly American" label.In a genre literally *filled* with unself-critical machismo, with authors who suffer from bloated senses of their missions and themselves and with ordinary wanderings striving unsuccessfully toward the Epic, this book stands apart. A great mix of adventure and history
I have read the book twice in the past year and enjoyed it both times.With 3 different storylines (doing the Niger River source to sea, a boyhood trip to Europe and Africa, and the history of European attempts tounderstand the Niger and visit Timbuktu) this book is a joy to read.Youexperience the trip and the mental thoughts that go through the author'shead, as well as some of the philosophical issues that are encountered inthe trip (guns, pregnant wives, etc).My recommendation:Buy it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th Century Description And Travel    2. Africa    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Essays & Travelogues    5. Guinea    6. Kayak touring    7. Mali    8. Niger River    9. Travel    10. Travel - General    11. Jenkins, Mark    12. Journeys    13. Travel writing   

Reviews (1)

Fascinating memoir of a return to Africa.
This book recounts the author's return to the West African country where she grew up.Called a lyrical memoir by the New York Times (9/11/88), Honey From the Lion provides fascinating insights into a young woman's transnational and cross-cultural coming of age.Ideal for all readers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Belcher, Wendy Laura    2. Ghana    3. Journeys    4. Religious life and customs    5. Social life and customs    6. Travel