Facing the Lion

Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna

By: Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton, Herman Viola

Narrated by: Kevin R. Free

Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton is a Maasai tribesman of Kenya. In this fascinating autobiography, he shares stories about growing up in his nomadic tribe - from licking sweat off cows’ noses to survive a drought, to facing down a lion at age 14, to playing soccer for the president of Kenya. The only member of his family to receive a formal education, Joseph sometimes lived as much as 40 miles away from school. While at school, he learned about Western culture and traditions. A member of two very different communities, Joseph struggled with what he was taught and what he already knew. But eventually, he learned to balance two worlds.

Hailed by Children’s Literature as a "superb book for any age", Facing the Lion is a riveting tale of one man who took his destiny in his own hands and became an extraordinary citizen of the world.

©2003 Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton with Herman Viola (P)2008 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"An intriguing portrait of a remarkable life and a culture little known to most American readers." ( Publishers Weekly)

"What gives this short, readable book its power is Lekuton’s authoritative, intimate view of now and then." ( Booklist)

It was Excactly What WeNeeded

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

My husband and I are going to Kenya next week to volunteer in a dental clinic which serves the Maasai tribes. This was very useful information for us to help us to understand the people we will be serving. It was simply told but wonderfully human in its revelations of the relationships and activities of the tribes. My only regret is that I would like to know where the author is today and what he is doing. It ended too soon.

Took me back to my trip almost 30 years ago

What a trip down memory lane! I could picture it the story clearly! Loved it!!

Beutiful. Wonderful

couldn't stop till it was over. loved what he did for his mother. I wish u the best . Thanks 4 your story

love it so much!

This is the most beautiful story ever!
I kept listening over and over to understand all the names and places where things happened.

The traditions of African people

I liked how he explained everything in detail about how he grew up. The dangers he faced growing up around such vicious man eating animals.

Entertaining

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It had a nice pace good plot. It was the ideal bedtime story.

Just lovely

I hate it when it ended, because it was just so lovely - must read if you're going to Kenya.

Good

Great everything overall, but was a little laggy when it came to rewinding and sometimes listening in general

Learned A Lot

My husband and I both listened to this before visiting Tanzania and are so glad we did. Things are constantly changing for the Maasai people but this book gave us a good basic glimpse of understanding of the traditional Maasai culture.

Facing the Lion

I thought the book was great and highly educational. I made friends with a Maasai Askari at one of the Camps in the Masai Mara twenty years ago and have remained in contact over the years. I have contributed money over the years to help educate his children. Ten years ago I fulfilled a promise to visit him ten years ago. Sort of Maasai for the day. I had made a number of visits to the Camp where he works. He wants to build me a house to live with him and his family. He lives in a lush part of Kenya toward Tanzania. He has no electricity or water. Water is obtained from the river which is transported by donkeys guided by the children.
This book provides a lot of insight into the Maasai way of life. The author eventually graduated from a University in the USA but his mother can’t believe him when he tells her the Sun is fixed in place not rising from the ground each morning and the stars at night are not cows sleeping and cannot be seen during the day because they are out grazing.