Travel & Adventure

This book is unlike any other I have read with the possible exception of the Lewis & Clark Journals. This couple undertook in 2001 a solo three-year walking tour from the southern tip of Africa to the Sea of Galilee. The book covers the first half of the journey. It is full of highly interesting encounters and candid conversations with the wide variety of people they met (mostly by chance) and who offered them hospitality during their trek. It was not without dangers (wild animals, bouts with malaria, and lawless regions the main ones), but mainly featured open and friendly encounters with people they met, even in the poorest regions of Africa.

They share conversations in which their hosts shared serious complaints about many of the corrupt and short-sighted policies being pursued by certain of the African governments, that of Zimbabwe being the worst example. They also provide their own critical and at other times awestruck (occasionally, somewhat melodramatic in my view) reactions to the sites and regions they visit.

While an unusual and interesting story, given the span of time, people and geography it covers, I gave the book four stars instead of five because I think it will be of most interest to readers who have a particular interest in visiting Africa (my wife and I are planning a visit there this year).

I have always had only a vague understanding of the famous Stanley and Livingstone encounter in Africa and of the even more famous "Dr. Livingstone, I presume" quotation. No longer. This book does a superb job of recounting the full tale, including the personalities and backgrounds of Stanley and Livingstone, the motivation of the American newspaper publisher who commissioned Stanley's search, and the reasons why Livingstone's fate had become a matter of intense public interest. All of this is explained as part of a neatly-constructed and engaging narrative. One point is abundantly clear from the book: Stanley would not have found Livingstone without a lot of luck and without the determination of both men to stay the course on their respective missions.

Oracle Bones is another excellent book from Peter Hessler. He writes from a unique and insightful perspective. He has lived in China for many years; beginning as an English teacher at a Chinese college. He has remained in close touch with his former students, whose own experiences in working after graduation in the ???New China??? form an important part of the book. Mr. Hessler has also been accredited as a foreign correspondent in China for the New Yorker magazine. As a writer of magazine articles, he has been free to develop stories and themes at much greater length and depth than would have been possible as a reporter for a daily newspaper. In my view that is a big plus for his readers.

His books reflect first hand experiences and conversations with Chinese residents (not all of them native Chinese, by the way) from various walks of life, many of whom he can consider good friends. They also reflect extensive interview notes, some scholarly research, and a whimsical eye for things comic and ironic in everyday life. Mr. Hessler also shares poignant conversations with Chinese who experienced the trials and terrors of the 1960???s ???Cultural Revolution??? and the earlier ???Anti-Rightist??? campaign of the late 1950???s.

As readers we are fortunate that Mr. Hessler has developed considerable literary talent. The writing is clear, suited to the humor or poignancy of the events or conversations he is describing, and has a personal tone that allows us to share his fascination and feelings in what he is seeing and hearing.