Stranger in the Forest

Rating:
Summary: Enthralling insite into a completely foriegn way of life.
Review: Eric Hansen is one of the most insightful, sensitive travel writers I've encountered. This book is a delightful window on the world of forest nomads in the jungle of Borneo. Hansen captures their incredible lifestyles that tie them to so intimately to the land but never lets you forget that they are modern human beings, as sophisticated and brilliant at moving through their world as any from what some might call the "civilized" world. As he travels with them, he is like a child in their world and his respect for and dependence on them is evident as they teach him how to survive their jungle.

Rating:
Summary: Stranger in the Forest
Review: One of my favorite travel adventure books... one of my top recommends to friends who love exotic travel or anthropolgy or have an interest in the rainforest/SE Asia. Hansen is a terrific writer; although he's not funny like Tim Cahill, his simple yet descriptive prose draws you in so that you feel as if you are trekking across Borneo with him. His experiences while traveling with 3 Borneo natives (enjoying barbequed giant grubs and scorpions, finding that after a few days his eyes adjust to the darkness below the forest canopy and he gradually begins to see colors he's never seen before) are so compelling that I found I was unable to put the book down once I began reading it.

Intrigue, mystery and danger abound as author Hansen finds his Western culture colliding dangerously with the myths of a tribe's culture. This section actually had my heart pounding... a few friends who've read the book had the same experience. It was real life scary!

Since it's out of print, try to find a copy. I bought a used copy at a library sale and made my friend promise to return the gift to me if she ever decides she doesn't want it!

A must read for travel adventure enthusiasts.

Rating:
Summary: ....and I keep coming back to 'his' jungle
Review: What a WONDERFUL BOOK! .... this should be on everyones top 10 lists ..... makes you think about NOT buying those next exotic wood chairs.... Eric has such a marvelous way of making you live the jungle and its rythem....I was sad when the book ended....it was better than Motering with Mohamed.... wish he would wite MANY MORE books .... a gifted writer and free spirit.... love this book

Rating:
Summary: ....and I keep coming back to 'his' jungle
Review: What a WONDERFUL BOOK! .... this should be on everyones top 10 lists ..... makes you think about NOT buying those next exotic wood chairs.... Eric has such a marvelous way of making you live the jungle and its rythem....I was sad when the book ended....it was better than Motering with Mohamed.... wish he would wite MANY MORE books .... a gifted writer and free spirit.... love this book