No comments about Trekking in the Atlas Mountains (Cicerone Guide).

2 comments about Kenya Travel Map (Globetrotter Travel Map).

1. The map was useful but out of date. Some of the dirt roads had been paved and the "paved" roads required an inflatable cushion to survive. Suggest anyone going on safari fly between points where possible.



2. I cancelled this map because it couldn't be delivered before we went to Kenya.

2 comments about African Wildlife: A Photographic Safari.

1. Astonishing pictures, incredible text putting in words the incredible feelings associated with an African Safari in the Serengeti. Just came back from there and this book really gave me multiple flash backs.



2. I happened to pass by this book at my local library, and I ended up reading all 150 unremarkable pages. This book is essentially a compilation of Bach's journal entries and Krasemann's photographs, and a lot of times, to the book's detriment, they have nothing to do with each other. The photographs are certainly nice, but the journal entries are useless. Bach's journal is basically 150 pages of bland animal descriptions. There is little else. We barely learn anything about the circumstances of her trip, the people she interacts with, or anything else about her experience. Instead the average sentence is something like, "Today we saw the lion, the great king of the jungle." Anybody could have written this. There is nothing unique about her experience, at least from what she shows us. I got through the first 90 pages of the book in forty five minutes, and only decided to finish it because it went by so fast and had decent pictures. But I recommend that you don't waste your time, if you have better resources available.

No comments about Namibia Travel Map (Globetrotter Travel Map).

5 comments about Kilimanjaro: To the Roof of Africa (Hardcover).

1. I saw this book right after returning from a trip to Mt Kilimanjaro, and was amazed by the high fidelity of the images in the book. I believe it truly captures the essence of the moutain. The main risk related with this book is that, after reading it, you may find yourself dreaming with this moutain. It also contains an interesting introduction to the mountain's and the surrounding area's history.



2. The Mountain Club of Kenya recently (and regrettably) acquired a copy of this book. Using the Club library, I read it and was shocked to see that some of the Club's photographs had been used to illustrate it (e.g. picture of Arthur Firmin); apparently without the Club's permission. National Geographic and Audrey Salkeld should be sued for copyright infringement.

   Kilimanjaro is a much over-rated mountain. Serious mountaineers don't go anywhere near it unless they are herding the countless tourists up and down. It is filthy pig-sty and clients are forced to pay ridiculously high charges for the privilege of "climbing" (actually walking up) it.

   Salkeld completely ignores this fact, as she ignores the fact that all the local guides on the mountain know absolutely nothing about mountaineering and what they do know is downright dangerous! She ignores the fact that 20-odd people a year die on the mountain; completely needlessly as they rush up too fast, trying to save some money on the outrageously high park fees charged daily by the authorities. She ignores the fact that on average, for every tourist (please don't call them "climbers", Salkeld), there are at least two "guides" or porters, collectively three times more people on the mountain than is necessary: rubbishing the environment, chopping down trees for fuel, eroding away at the trails, defecating in the water sources.

   In short, Salkeld wrote a typically boring tome that poses as a coffee-table book. And National Geographic, supposedly a serious scientific and geographic society, published something akin to the worst papparazi tabloids.

   I won't be buying this book.




3. I just returned from "climbing" Mt Kilimajaro. I use quotes because one reviewer seems to think it's not. This was one of the hardest things I've done. I saw this book on my guide's desk and began reading it. I was totally empressed by the history and photos. The memories of what I had just done came flooding back. There was an aerial photo of the crater that took my breath away. I have the movie and now I have the book. The book is kept right next to my certificate from the park and the picture album of my climb. I recommend this wonderful book (and the IMAX movie) to anyone who had climbed the mountain, plans on climbing, or just enjoys the beauty that is Mt Kilimanjaro.



4. Absolutely beautiful book. Gave as a gift to a niece who had just returned from climbing Kilimanjaro; she rated it excellent.



5. Entertaining and informative book. The authors command over the language is impressive. I am visiting Kilimanjaro soon and I found the book gives a good insight into what the trip will be like. The book is full of historic information, both natural and human. Vivid photos, as expected of a National Geographic book, though I would prefer less glossy and minute details - if too much of a natural attraction is revealed in advance, the real experience is usually a let-down. I am itching to see the corresponding I-Max movie now, though after my trip.

5 comments about Somebody's Heart Is Burning: A Woman Wanderer in Africa.

1. Tanya's honesty and openess in sharing real emotions and internal conflicts makes her so human to me. With each new picture (chapter), I felt as if she pulled up a chair beside me and brought the story sparked by the picture to life. I am a captive audience and will revisit the stories at leisure to gather more of their richness of content and language.



2. I found this book poorly written and a boring read.



3. I've actually read this twice already and thoroughly enjoyed it each time. I travel a lot as well (for work and for fun) and hearing Tanya's retelling of her experiences in some of the same countries where I have traveled was very interesting. I could relate to many things yet she had some entirely new and different takes on things, which I enjoyed reading.



4. I first came across Tanya's writing in a Best Travel Writing anthology (Traveller's Tale 2007). That particular piece, The Girl Who Drank Petrol, was easily the most enjoyable in the entire book.
   
   This book is unique because although it's a personal memoir based on Tanya's year of voluntary work in western Africa, she was also able to skillfully convey a strong sense of each of the places she went. As such you can read this as a sort of anthology of travel writings about countries such as Ghana, Mali etc. Regrettably though, this book is a bit short and i ended up wanting more.
   
   You may want to check out excerpts from this book at [...] and see if her writing's your cup of tea.



5. For anyone who plans on spending time in West Africa, this is a must read. Shaffer does a near-perfect job describing the everyday humor and frustrations of traveling in the region, down to the most subtle details that would go overlooked by someone who hadn't spent significant time there. For those who have experienced real Ghana, her stories will bring back familiar memories of waiting for tro-tros to fill, and calls of "obruni!" An accurate account, though somewhat lacking a climax or tension that would have made it into a page turner.

3 comments about Lonely Planet Madagascar & Comoros (Lonely Planet Madagascar).

1. Great book - detailed and very informative.
   
   Recommend for anyone going to Madagascar as backpacker or on guided tour



2. I don't regret buying this because there aren't too many guides to Madagascar. But there is simply no personality to this book. If you are looking for some names/addresses, this would suffice. Otherwise, the Bradt guide blows this Lonely Planet guide away.



3. We used this guide, along with 2 other guides of Madagascar and we found this guide to be the least valuable of the 3 (a bit outdated, not into depth)

5 comments about On Safari.

1. This is a great book for anybody who is planning a trip to Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwands, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. Great photographs, a pile of information that you simply just can't get anywhere else. Start you safari planning here!



2. I may be biased as I am one of the many contributing photographers to this book. I think that David Anderson did a good job putting this book together and that it is very informative to anyone wanting to go on safari. His knowledge, years of experience and a true love for Africa shows in this book.



3. We have been on two Safari's and "On Safari by David Anderson" tells it all for less than $100. It keeps memories alive and well...the joy of picking up this book and living the greatest vacations of our life is priceless! Everyone that looks at this book cannot believe how beautiful the animals, the people and the views are. The Lodges are especially suprising to all!
   
   If you can go on Safari with David Anderson, by all means go today...if not this book is a must have!!



4. David's book is a glorious account of average people spending time with nature's truly inspiring flora & fauna. If you're planning on going on safari, this is a must have. If you've been, this will bring back wonderful memories. Peter & Dana



5. If you're thinking about a trip to Africa, this book is the best. David Anderson knows his stuff and I highly recommend this for anyone thinking about going on a Safari. Beautiful!!!!

No comments about Africa's Top Wildlife Countries: Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia & Zimbabwe (Africa's Top Wildlife Countries).

No comments about Spirits of Tangier.