5 comments about Second Chances: A Travel Narrative of Southern Africa.

1. I traveled to Southern Africa in 1995, and I could not put this book down until I had finished it. Through her travels in Southern Africa, the author, in a most intriguing style, gives one a feeling of what is happening in that region today. Weaving her own life experiences into her writing gives you a feeling of knowing the author and her understanding of the situation. For anyone traveling to Southern Afirca, this book is a must. The author is to be commended for a job well done.



2. Provides a fascinating look at an area and events that rarely get "personal" treatment. The book gives flashes and glimpses of people, situations and areas outside the usual experience. The author also compares this area and events with those of the US at differing periods of time in the US history. I found it very interesting and found myself wanting more at the end. More details, more stories, more information in general. It's a very personal narrative and must be viewed as such so keep an open mind if the reader is not "liberal".



3. I traveled in southern Africa in 1996 and found Martha's book to be a wonderful travel diary capturing the nuances of that part of the world. Her sensitivity to the unique tapestry of South Africa and Namibia as they struggle to embrace identities as free, democratic countries is very powerful. I didn't want the book to end. Bravo from a fellow WorldTeacher!



4. This book contains some wonderful vignettes but it left me wondering whether this was the first time that the author had travelled abroad. I found that the personal and political agenda to be distracting from what otherwise would have been a very interesting travel book. And finally I note that we Canadians also spell colour with a "u" and call paper napkins "serviettes".



5. The good travel books are the spontaneous ones, those with a minimum of advance planning in which the traveler always seems to be coming upon new things: discovery rather than simply uncovering "interesting" sites. Further, the best travel books are those in which the unfolding experience reveals new dimensions of the self as well as of the place visited. SECOND CHANCES is a fine contribution to this superior rank of travel books. Martha Hopkins gives us a remarkable portrait of southern Africa just emerging from apartheid onto a hopeful terrain where real democracy seems within reach. In the same context her knowledge of herself grows in scope and discernment, with the feeling that she, like a significant region of the world, has been blessed with a second chance to review the past and construct a better future: this time to do it right. SECOND CHANCES is a marvelous book to read and enjoy--and to learn from.

1 comments about Ethiopia Engraved: An Illustrated Catalogue of Engravings by Foreign Travellers from 1681 to 1900.

1. The engravings in this book offer a very rare glimpse into Ethiopia's past. Spanning from the 17th to 20th centuries, these images capture the essence of everyday Ethiopian life through the eyes of foreign travelers. Ethiopia Engraved is an invaluable resource for all who are interested Ethiopian history and culture.

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1 comments about Kruger National Park Travel Guide.

1. We found this to be a wonderful and relatively accurate source for going through Kruger Park. We followed it completely and found the best of Kruger Park. Thanks for a great resource.
   Lenore.

No comments about Ulendo Travels of a Naturalist in and Out of Africa.

1 comments about Lonely Planet Egipto (Spanish) 2 (Lonely Planet Egypt).

1. Lonely planet got a new edition of this book already. This one is excellent! It does not miss any...

No comments about South Africa and Africa: Within or Apart?.