No comments about The Cradle of Humankind: World Heritage Sites of South Africa (World Heritage Sites of South Africa Travel Guides).

1 comments about The Road to Timbuktu.

1. Really well written book on the Muslim world. It reads like a travelogue so that one doesn't even realize how much pertinent information is contained therein. One of the best books I've ever read on the subject and it was hard to put down.

No comments about Incidents of Travel in the Russian and Turkish Empires: Volume 2.

No comments about Fodor's Southern Africa, 2nd Edition: The Guide for All Budgets, Completely Updated, with Maps and Travel Tips (Fodor's Gold Guides).

3 comments about Africa on Six Wheels: A Semester on Safari.

1. I found the book, Africa on Wheels: A semester on safari by Betty Levitov, quite informative on contemporary social issues in Africa. The author took 13 students, male and female, of Doane College, Nebraska, USA, to eastern and southern Africa in 2002. They spent three months touring and learning about interesting landscapes, plants, animals, and socialising with local people. The group travelled in a van with six wheels, which was driven by an Australian with a highly fragmented and apparently fabled biography. At the end of their African travel and adventure, commonly called safari, every student reported that the experience had profoundly deepened his or her understanding of African people and life in general. And, in the words of the author, 'in spite of many dangers of traveling in Africa, no student died or became pregnant.'
   
   The author provided interesting background information to the places they visited, and described local people and individuals objectively and with affection. Unlike certain foreign writers, whose books are a catalog of the ugly and the comical in Africa, Levitov presented her observations fairly and objectively. Of course, she discussed the problem of poverty that is prevalent in most developing countries.
   
   I have a few criticisms on the book. While the author frequently mentioned taking numerous photographs, there is no single photo in the book to help the reader connect text to image. The cover of the book contains an illustration of a vehicle and a scenery, which do not match any description in the book. Shouldn't a book of travel and adventure contain show the reader some images that the author saw? Also, I felt the author dwelt on trivial musings of the students for far too long, and memorable events were too far in-between. Nevertheless, the book is very informative, and I strongly recommend it to any reader seeking objective and honest information on contemporary social life in Africa.
   Leo Juma, Riverside, California



2. I love reading travel books and I am especially interested in Africa. I have unfortunately been disappointed in the past with travel books about Africa written in a depressing or patronizing manner. Although plagued with many problems, Africa is full of people with hopes, dreams and talents. This book brings out the positive and best aspects of Africa and the people that live there without being unrealistic about the challenges they face.
   
   Overall this book was a very pleasant suprise. It is written by a professor who takes her students on a semester to Africa. She writes in a very honest, humorous and non-preachy way about the students, her travels and everyone's reaction to the places they visit and the people they meet as well as her experiences teaching and living in a communal household. She is a good story teller and each chapter has one main point and it is made in a very interesting and poignant way.
   
   I really enjoyed this book and found myself learning much from her insights and also learning about Africa as well. Out of all the travel books I have read "Africa on Six Wheels" is definitely one of my favorites!



3. I love this type of adventure/travel book but I could only make it half way through this book before I finally gave up. Half way through a book on Africa... didn't the author see any animals? I wanted to know more than.. we went here, then we stayed here, then we ate this. Didn't you see any wildlife worth reporting?
   Sorry, but it just isn't all that interesting.

No comments about Cameroon's Tycoon: Max Esser's Expedition and Its Consequences (Cameroon Studies, 3).

No comments about Libya (Road Maps).

1 comments about The Unveiling of Timbuctoo.

1. Rene Caillie was one of the great explorers and adventurers in European history. His journey to Timbuctoo is awe inspiring. It is a grand testament to the human spirit that he was able to overcome so many obstacles to achieve this staggering dream. This uneducated, unfinanced young man attained a goal unfullfilled by many a great explorer. Galbraith Welch does a fine job of retelling this amazing tale. I would have to state that I found some of her narrative condescending to the African natives and customs that Caillie encountered in his rounds. There is a trace of a sneer which was probably lacking in Caillie himself. This is a minor criticism, however. Welch was also a product of her own era. It does not diminish from a spectacular achievement. I was inspired by this story. The human spirit once more displays its glory. Obstacles can be overcome and goals can be attained. Overall, this is a valuable book to read.

5 comments about 12 Days in Ghana: Reunions, Revelations & Reflections.

1. My co-worker's brother wrote this book so I decided to support him and read it. Since I'm preparing for a trip to Ghana also I thought this book was interesting and Mr. Gaines' adventures were hilarious.



2. 12 Days in Ghana is a superb publication! Once I started reading the book, I couldn't put it down. I was amazed that this was Mr. Gaines first publication. 12 Days in Ghana made me laugh and cry - he did an excellent job on incorporating emotions and humor throughout the book. His writing style made me feel that I was with him on his journey to Ghana. This book has inspired me to continue my research on my family history. I highly recommend this book to anyone planning a voyage to their Ghana or anyone who is planning to search their own roots. I am hoping Mr. Gaines will write a sequel to the book!



3. It is remarkable to think that this is Mr. Gaines first book! He has hit a homerun the first time at bat! After completing the book I was struck with a desire to experince Ghana for myself!



4. I was very disapointed with this book. I'm recently teaching many Ghanains and hoped this book would give me a liottle bit of insight on their culture, but it was just a boring travel journal. I would not recommed this book, unless you're a good friend or family member of Mr. Gaines.



5. There are 10 reviews of this book here, they do not all seem genuine, just keep that in mind. they are all written in the same style, with many of the same comments.

2 comments about Ethiopia: Off the Beaten Trail.

1. THis is an "OK" book. Even though I know most of the stories in the book....I believe it did a good job in trying to introduce parts of Ethiopia many folks wouldn't know.:)



2. John Graham obviously has a profound amount of affection and respect for Ethiopia. It's history, culture and joie de vivre. I'm not sure many Anglo-North Americans have thought about Ethipoia as a vacation destination, but Graham's description of dance bars in the big city, 2000 year old churches, and bustling villages and markets Make it seem far more real than the stereotypes we are used to.

   Not that Graham makes it seem like the easiest place to travel, but he quickly gets way, way beyond the big-bellied child and desperate, doe-eyed mother of World Vision imagery to a nation of dignity and depth. The author understands the issues and includes things like when to trust a 'guide' and when not to. As the area's Program Director of Save the Children, he obviously knows what he's talking about, but he also makes it very clear that this mature nation has a wealth of experience to shareand expresses a deep committment to the real people of Ethiopia.

   Graham's good, edging on sarcastic, humour makes this book an easy read. (The chapter about hitting a pedestrian walks the line between humour and horror with amzing balance). Whether you're planing a trip or not, this book should be picked up by anyone interested in history, religion, Africa, or working overseas. I wasn't even planning a trip, but I'm eager to find an opportunity as soon as I can.