Maverick in Madagascar

Through the wilds of Madagascar, with a zebu pack-bull and a bulletproof vest

De: Mark Eveleigh

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

As a freelance travel journalist Mark Eveleigh has written more than 850 full-length features for some of the world’s most prestigious publications – including BBC Wildlife, BBC Travel, CNN Travel, Telegraph, The Independent and National Geographic.

PRAISE FOR 'MAVERICK IN MADAGASCAR'

‘A personal account of two decidedly unusual Malagasy journeys – trips no tour operator would recommend – completed with a plodding, somewhat touchy zebu pack-bull and a guide in a bulletproof vest.
Fascinatingly crazy stuff that makes for good reading. Snippets of the country’s history – pirates, cruel queens, capitalising colonists included – dot the pages and there is also an intimately experienced vision of things distinctly Malagasy – hôtelys, rum, rice and zebu stew, endemic lemurs and chameleons, and the infamous fadys (taboos). Everything is presented with insight and humour. Maverick in Madagascar is a fascinating mix of adventure, history and humour that makes for excellent reading.’
- Travel Africa

‘The simple and uncluttered style belies the adventure and achievement of his trek across the badlands of Madagascar. The book is written in a tremendously well-observed, yet understated way – a welcome antithesis to the bragging and sensationalist hyperbole of much travel-writing. Mark gives us a detailed and concise description and allows us to be impressed all on our own.
Mark has a respect and openness towards the people that he meets on his journey which is obvious throughout the book. The characters that accompany him are so well-observed that very soon I felt that I both knew and cared about them. There is detail and research here as well as adventure.
Maverick in Madagascar manages to be both adventurous and meticulous. Engaging yet educational. In a world where travel writers are incessantly conspiring to plan spontaneous adventures and discover unspoilt places, Mark manages to achieve both in an effortless, modest and low-impact way that will serve as an example to his contemporaries whilst uniquely entertaining and inspiring his readers.’
- What Holiday

‘A remarkable and essential look at “a country where daily life is governed by supernatural powers.” As perhaps the first European to cross the “Zone Rouge” populated by feuding, armed tribesmen and equally threatening plant and animal life in more than a century, Eveleigh feels “nightmarishly vulnerable,” but his fear is balanced by obvious love for Madagascar’s “never, ever boring” history, people and daily life. His final days in the wild, street-fighting festival of the city of Antsalova bring his adventures to a riveting close: “If the Zone Rouge, with its prairie hamlets, cowboys and bandits, was like the old-time Wild West, then the dusty, brawling streets of Antsalova were Dodge City.”
- Publishers Weekly

‘A travelogue with attitude, Maverick in Madagascar follows the explorations and exploits of its author, Mark Eveleigh. Through rainforests and mountains, encountering snakes and shamans, Eveleigh weaves folklore, adventure and travel into a cohesive story of interest to anyone wanting a lesson on Africa’s eastern island nation.’
- Today’s Librarian