Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #202574 in Books
• Published on: 1994-10-24
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

Synopsis
In January 1992, Dervla Murphy prescribed herself several carefree months and embarked on a cycle tour (pedalling and pushing) from Kenya to Zimbabwe via Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia on the cyclist's equivalent of a Rolls Royce called Lear. Before long, she realized that for travellers who wish to remain stress-free, Africa is the wrong continent. Inevitably she was caught up in the harrowing problems of the peoples she met; the devastating effects of AIDS (ukimwi is Swahili for AIDS), drought and economic collapse; scepticism about Western "aid schemes"; and corruption and incompetence, both white and black.

Customer Reviews

An eye-opening and mind-opening account
Read this book if you are bored with the numerous bland accounts of Africa but crave a deeper insight into the real social fabric of the continent. During the course of her AIDS-ridden travels, DM interacts with an enlightening mixture of Africa's colourful population and develops strong, often controversial, views on Africa's future direction. Her book offers an alternative to the traditional western view of what is best for the continent by allowing African's to air their own ideas for solving their problems and why the West's 'obvious' answers are not always the right ones.

If you don't have an (informed) opinion on Africa before you read this book, you will afterwards.

Astoundingly accurate
I lived in Africa for the first half of my life, and since I moved to England I have been eagerly devouring all books with an African theme in an attempt to recapture memories of my homeland. Never have I come accross such an accurate yet enjoyable read. She does full justice to a wonderful continent.A truly excellant book.

A personal view of Africa
Dervla Murphy's view of Africa is a personal and controversial one, but she vividly conveys the very different atmospheres of the countries she travels through.
By day, Dervla enjoyed the space and solitude of rural Africa; even the toughest terain did not deter her although on one occasion it nearly claimed her. In the evenings she usually stayed in villages where she found the locals talkative and welcoming. Hours of illuminating conversation ended most days.