No comments about Country Adventures in Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.

5 comments about Blue Nile: Ethiopia's River of Magic and Mystery (Adventure Press).

1. ... when he expressed disappointment about Morrell's constant complaints about the tour guide, Mike Speakes. The book-long litany of criticism for Speakes is what stands out for me - more than the scenery, the people, the history, etc. Morrell suggests that she chose not to address her concerns with Speakes directly out of deference to others in her group. Instead, with the exception of one instance late in the game, she saved all of her venom to share with thousands of readers. I don't know Speakes; I never heard of him before reading this book. I don't know Morrell; I never heard of her before reading her book. I did not read any of the Amazon reviews of the book until after I read the book. What I do know is that Morrell's mean-spirited jibes at Speakes so permeated the story that my opinion of Morrell's character is perhaps as low as she wanted the reader's opinion to be of Speakes.



2. This is one of those books where you read it, and while it's about what you think it's about, it's also about something that's really surprising. The main part of the book is predictably about what the title and introduction says it's about: an account of an expedition into the heart of Ethiopia, to travel down the length of the river known as the Blue Nile, which spans the Northern portion of that country. They left the river at the border with the neighboring nation of Sudan.
   
   Given the subject, the book is of course about people to a large extent. The author meets and enjoys the company of many Ethiopians, and they are lovingly described in these pages. The author appears to have a strong affinity for the nation of Ethiopia, and at least a rudimentary knowledge of the various tribes that make up the population. She even speaks a little of the majority language.
   
   So what's the downside of tbe book? Well, when it starts, the expedition leader is a guy named Conrad Hirsh. Your first hint that this isn't going to work out comes when you remember the name, turn back to the beginning, and see that it's dedicated to his memory. Before they even got started, he fell ill and had to back out of his part of the expedition. Instead, someone else took over, and that's where the problems began. The replacement, a guy named Mike Speaks, sounds like he's from the militant wing of Greenpeace, constantly giving orders and insisting they be followed to the letter. While you can understand something of this attitude--rafting down this river had *never* been done before successfully, and the dangers were real--he also had a series of rather silly attitudes about other things. For instance, he insisted on the Star Trek version of interaction with the Natives: the least amount of contact possible, and especially no trade or charity. If they want things, they should go buy them, but paying them a little bit of money to move bags or whatever was right out.
   
   This turns the book, at times anyway, into a rather petty power struggle between the author, the photographer who was nominally in charge of the expedition, and at times one or two of the other members on the one hand, and the guide and his employees on the other. Speaks especially bickers with them contstantly, trying to control everything and generally making a nuisance of himself (though the author also makes it clear he was a good boatman, and that he handled all of the physical problems during the expedition competently) and trying to push everyone around. While I enjoyed the book, I found this part a bit jarring. I perhaps think I'm grading Mr. Speaks rather than the book, here, but I still didn't enjoy it as much as I otherwise would have.
   
   That being said, there's a lot here that's interesting, and the book is really well-written. Recommended.



3. 
   The one star this book earns is due to its wonderful photographs of the Ethiopian people and their land taken by photographer Nevada. The story line written by Morell earns no stars in this reader's opinion.
   
   The main weakness of the narrative is the paucity of descriptions of the Ethiopian people, the river and its majesty. Instead, the story-line focuses on the group's dynamics. This reader found these descriptions to be mean-spirited distractions to what could have been an interesting and important book.
   
   That strangers thrown together in close quarters for a month get on each others' nerves is not surprising. What is surprising is that a person with Morell's fragile sensibilities was chosen to participate. Instead of feeling privileged for this unique experience, the author uses this book as a bully pulpit to denigrate those who took control and kept her safe during an arduous journey.
   
   Morell's most vitriolic diatribe is reserved for the lead boatman--the person primarily responsible for the safety of the group, including equipment, food and people. The author shows no insight into the possible stress this measure of responsibility may induce. Yet, from her own description, the head boatman maintains his professionalism throughout the journey despite her admittedly undisguised negativity.
   
   Over time, the author describes the lead boatman as athletic, keen-sighted, professionally competent, brave and flexible; yet, her view of him does not change. Even though she chooses to ride with him each day because of his keen ability to spot wildlife, the author cannot bring herself to integrate these positive traits into her initial perception of him.
   
   Not only does Morell show a lack of insight into her own issues of power and control, she also lacks the grace to keep them to herself. Near the end of the journey, instead of showing some regard for this man who kept the whole group safe while running rapids, battling crocs, protecting the food and supplies from bandits, keeping the rafts intact and afloat, and finding safe campsites that minimally impacted the environment, Morell describes having an uncontrolled tantrum. Despite getting no support from the group, she still gains no insight into her own narcissism. Unfortunately, the book ends with no resolution to her rancor. Instead, it ends with the author oblivious to the fact that, due to the skills of the boatman she continues to despise, she survived a journey that many before her had not.



4. Virginia is a nice person indeed, as I met her one time in person, but her book is not full of passion for Ethiopia but rather a bashing of the trip leaders, Mike Speaks and Mike Borcik. I know them both as well, and know them to be truly professional boatmen who took it upon themselves to pull this expedition off themselves (with the help of Maurizio Melloni for logistics) and run a safe trip on a river that had nver been run successfully before.
   
   I know this because I am mentioned in the book, as I worked for MTSobek at the time and was the Director of International River Trips during this project. Should Virginia had wanted to run this trip without any liabilities, she should have run the trip herself in innertubes! She was truly a poor sport and completley ungracious for all the effort and work we put into the expedition. She was willing to take unecessary risks and when she could not because of smart and prudent decisions by Speaks, she crie like a baby and turne her disgust into a book that is less than marginal, except for the beautiful photographs which she did not take.
   
   As I mentioned at the beginnins of the review, Virginia is a wonderful person, she just missed the target on this book as well as the expedition.



5. I have been interested in the River Nile, and particularly the Blue Nile for many years. The history of the Nile, the natural dynamics of the rivers pulses, and the exotic setting of the Blue and White Nile Rivers, are custom made for daydreamers and armchair adventurors. I was excited to find, and then to read Morell's book when I found it through a web search.
   
   The descriptions of the countryside, and the natural resources of the country of Ethiopia are very good, but too limited for one like me who wants to know so much more about the geology, the soils, and the vegetation of the country. This is perhaps understandable, given the author's greater interest in anthropological resources as opposed to natural resources.
   
   The photos accompanying the text, mostly if not all by Nevada Wier, are excellent, and help place the reader in the context of the arduous journey.
   
   Descriptions by the author of the interactions with many groups and individuals along the 500 mile + trek are most interesting. These descriptions extend to the reader a very good mental picture of the sounds, sights, and smells of rural Ethiopia.
   
   Unfortunatley, the author injected personal opinion and personality bias concerning the leader of the expedition, Mike Speaks. Having done so, the author, perhaps unwittingly, significantly dimishied the quality of her own accomplishments.

No comments about Discover Virginia (The Virginia Experience).

No comments about The Insiders' Guide to Greater Richmond: Including Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico Counties (The Insiders' Guide).

No comments about The General History Of Virginia, New England And The Summer Isles V2: Together With The True Travels, Adventures And Observations And A Sea Grammar (1907).

No comments about ADC The Map People South Hampton Roads, Virginia: Street Atlas (South Hampton Roads, Virginia Street Map Book).

No comments about Colonial Virginia: A Picture Book To Remember Her By (A Picture Book to Remember Her By).

5 comments about Wallops Island (Images of America: Virginia) (Images of America).

1. I bet the authors wouldn't get clearance now to go to this government base...what with 9/11 and all the terrorism. That makes this book all the more valuable and treasured. Neat photos and fun info.



2. I bet those two authors couldn't get on that base today. How lucky we are to have this book prior to terrorism. It gives a good feel on what goes on behind the scenes. The postcard photos are great.



3. I really enjoyed learning about this private base where our rockets were developed. The writers made it so clear and easy to read. Neat!



4. I'm not a science fan but I loved learning about the space program and the rockets. I read the book within a few hours. Nice job, authors.



5. I'm not a science fan but I loved learning about the space program and the rockets. I read the book within a few hours. Nice job, authors.

No comments about Appalachian Trail Guide to Southwest Virginia With Maps (Appalachian Trail Guides).

2 comments about Rediscovering America: Exploring the Small Towns of Virginia & Maryland.

1. Return to a time when life was simpler. Discover classic river towns, mountain retreats and coastal fishing villages, small towns where you can still shop on Main Street, where the hardware store and the bookstore are not part of a national chain, old buildings are restored and historic places are preserved. The Burnhams, also co-authors of The Virginia Handbook, have discovered and explored scores of these delightful towns. Destinations include Onancock, on Virginia's Eastern Shore; Irvington, a hip town built around The Tides resort; Strasburg and Front Royal, towns rich in Shenandoah Valley history; as well as coastal towns such as St. Michael's, Crisfield and St. Mary's. The places featured in this book have charming inns and B&Bs, in addition to good, locally owned restaurants. There are enough attractions to satisfy any traveler, but there is also space and time to tarry, to sit in a park or on a shaded bench and watch life pass by.



2. Return to a time when life was simpler. Discover classic river towns, mountain retreats and coastal fishing villages, small towns where you can still shop on Main Street, where the hardware store and the bookstore are not part of a national chain, old buildings are restored and historic places are preserved. The Burnhams, also co-authors of The Virginia Handbook, have discovered and explored scores of these delightful towns. Destinations include Onancock, on Virginia's Eastern Shore; Irvington, a hip town built around The Tides resort; Strasburg and Front Royal, towns rich in Shenandoah Valley history; as well as coastal towns such as St. Michael's, Crisfield and St. Mary's. The places featured in this book have charming inns and B&Bs, in addition to good, locally owned restaurants. There are enough attractions to satisfy any traveler, but there is also space and time to tarry, to sit in a park or on a shaded bench and watch life pass by.