Calculus in the Congo

Adventures while Teaching and Traveling on the African Continent

By: Jashanananda

Narrated by: Jashanananda

I type "International Teaching Jobs" on the Google search line and find several sites, but I decide on one particularly useful site for which I pay a slight fee, and I find myself looking at a long list of teaching jobs all over the world. "Anything in Latin America," my wife asks, coming in to the room. "No, but here's one in the Congo." "Africa!?" "Yea, really. They want a calculus teacher! I can do that!" "Okay," Chantal says tentatively. "If you want." I hit the submit button and my resume is off across the world.

What follows are four action-packed years of living, working and traveling in sub-Saharan Africa.

This book chronicles the first year and a half of these adventures, including the day-to-day life of a teacher at The American School of Kinshasa from 2005-2007 who deals with a marginal infrastructure, the everyday challenges of living in a war-torn third-world country, and adventures in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mozambique and Ethiopia.

©2016 Jashan Blackwell (P)2016 Jashan Blackwell

Almost Good

Decades ago I nearly accepted a position in Africa teaching math and physis, hence I was enjoying the author’s account of his experience. Unfortunately, there were irritants in the book which were distractive. I persevered until Chapter 27, then could go no further.

At the outset the author issues a disclaimer which I appreciated. Obviously, conversations of years prior couldn’t be cited, but he explained he reconstructed and included them as explanatory material. I can abide fiction when it is not portrayed as real.

Also appreciated is the total lack of profanity.

Oftentimes the writing seems to be just a step above amateurish. Most notable is the overuse of attributions. For example, when conversations are cited, one hears sequences of, “…” she said, followed by “…he replied.” Of course, some of this is necessary, but I found it wearying in situations where there are only two people involved. If he says something to her, I know who is responding, hence see no need for a “she said.”

Another minor irritant was the author’s frequent use of “I thought to myself.” I presume he didn’t think to someone else. Maybe “I thought” would suffice.

I could abide these things. What bothered me most was hearing the book read in what seemed like an echo chamber. Worse, there was continual low-volume droning underlying the reading. What purpose does that serve?

Finally, with the advent of the second song sung by the author, I’d had enough. Had I read the book instead of listening to it, I might have finished it.

loved this book. great reading by author

So fun to hear about country that is not often written about. Authors reading voice is SUPER TO LISTEN TO AND FALL ASLEEP. I listened to chapters over and over again. I even dreamed about a calculus problem. - so great cause I am able to listen and laugh and relax to great story . My day and night stress and worry are gone and I just enjoy the story. I have listened to Bill Bryson Bill Bryan author narrated stories and relaxed to his voice as well as a great nonstressful stories that make me giggle. I will be buying part 2. Would like more if available!! Thank you so much!!!