Rating: 
Summary: Feeling Africa
Review: Kevin Kertscher's Africa Solo is the account of the kind of trek that just cannot be undertaken right now, and so it's worth reading for both its historical and its sociological value. Although it is different from many travel books in that it focuses on individual experience rather than history or events, the book offers a different kind of education: a single person's insight and experience.In the late 1980s, Kertscher trekked - mostly by hitchhiking, with some walking and one plane trip - through West, Central, and East Africa, taking a winding path from Oran in Algeria to Nairobi in Kenya. He also traveled mostly alone, which gave him a lot more exposure to the continent, and put him in more danger as well. An average person like Kertscher probably could not duplicate this trip today; political instability and unrest have rendered many of the countries he visited more dangerous for foreigners, as well as altering the areas through which he traveled significantly since his journey. That change is one of the primary reasons why Kertscher's book is still worth reading - he provides an account of an older Africa the one that gave birth to the current one. His observations of Mobutu's Zaire, while not as detailed as Helen Winternitz's in East Along the Equator, explain a great deal about the current situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. And his account of Rwanda during a break in its long history of conflict is surprising - he describes it as one of the most peaceful and progressive countries in Africa. The personal perspective of the book - the author's solo movement through the continent, relying mostly on others for transportation - is also valuable; I got a better sense of the regional differences in the people than I have from other Africa books. Kertscher also experienced much more than most travelers do of the kindness of strangers in Africa; in his sort of travel, he was forced to rely on others, and it impressed me how often those others came through for him. I can't say I'd travel the way he did, but the results were apparently better than I would have expected. All in all, this is an engrossing read that provides a personal perspective on one portion of a very large place. Africa Solo should not be used as a guidebook, because of the many changes in the area, but cultures do change more slowly than governments, so perhaps a person planning a trip to the area would still benefit from this book. Certainly armchair travelers will enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining Read!
Review: Kevin spent several months in Africa in the late 80s (so it is a little outdated), wanting to across Africa on his own - on foot, bus or boat. He does overfly certain sections of West Africa in order to get to Zaire before the rainy season, but this does not take away from his journey. I read this book in a weekend, wanting to see how Kevin fared on this travels and because I was interested in the characters that he met along the way. This is one of the better travelogues I've read on Africa and I'd recommend it to anyone with an interest in that part of the world.
Rating:
Summary: An insightful travelling experience.
Review: Kevin's journey through Africa is an insightful book that captures the excitement, uncertainty, loneliness and simple pleasures (a hot shower!) of a lone traveler in a foreign country. He has the journalist's flair to be in the experience of strange and sometimes dangerous trials through the Sahara into East Africa. But Kevin's writing is easy and it invites the reader to be a part of his personal journey.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting trek, poorly written account of travel
Review: Reading "Africa Solo" creates a few feelings: 1)What a great trek though some very intersting parts of Africa, 2)Irritation by the author for his dumb innocence, but admiration for his frankness about it, and 3)Dread at the poor writing and observations. This is such a great opportunity to explore a great part of the world, but the author passes no useful information (environment, history, sociology) to the reader. Essentially, the book is a very simple account of the author's journey through parts of Africa. Shame that such an experience is recorded so poorly.
Rating: 
Summary: Oh, how disappointing.
Review: The author, to his credit, did not assume the arrogant posture of many expats/travelers abroad, and then didn't feel compelled to make up tales designed to make himself sound more interesting. That sole fact makes the book novel in itself. I still do not know why Mr. Kertscher made his trip. There is something to be said for "making it up as you go along," but armed with sheer dumb luck and the kindness of strangers (who have no doubt seen this aimlessness before), Mr. Kertscer managed to come back and (unfortunately) write about it. He tells us virtually nothing about the political situations, history, etc. - things that would add color to his one-dimensional tale - and despite all the picturesque ground he covered, the only vaguely interesting photo is the one on the cover. Give it an A for marketing, D- for content. Next time, Mr. Kertscher, take a canned safari along with all the other tourists. Please.
Rating: 
Summary: Good reading
Review: The style of writing was interesting. It was simple and fun. However, the writer could have made more of an effort to learn and write about the people who live at the places he visited.
Rating:
Summary: Good reading
Review: This book talks about the author's experience traveling through many parts of Africa. The style of writing was simple and fun. However, the writer could have made more of an effort to learn about the people who live at the places he visited. At times, I felt he was traveling just for the sake of traveling.
Rating:
Summary: Good reading
Review: This book talks about the author's experience traveling through many parts of Africa. The style of writing was simple and fun. However, the writer could have made more of an effort to learn about the people who live at the places he visited. At times, I felt he was traveling just for the sake of traveling.
Rating:
Summary: Finding yourself in Africa
Review: This is a travel book for those who have travelled. I really don't think, judging by some of the other reviews below, that one can judge this book if s/he has never thrown themselves headfirst into a travel adventure like this one. Having spent several months travelling in India, Nepal, and then the Middle East, I experienced every single emotion and, unfortunately, most of the gastro-intestinal disturbances that the author did. At times great, the trip was just as often miserable. Doing this kind of trip has nothing in common with Eurailing. The countries are very poor, the language and culture barrier is far greater, and the going can be very rough. First time travellers, me included, often delude ourselves about our adaptability. We eventually learn it, but it is an arduous process. I saw this book as a chronicle of a maturation process. Travel can often lay bare our best and worst qualities and force us to come to terms with them. Kudos to the author for honestly and poignantly portraying that here. This is a refreshing travel book. No ego, just honesty. If you want more history and culture, read anthropology. That is not this book's purpose.
Rating: 
Summary: Great account of an amazing journey.
Review: This is adventure/travel writing at its best. Kertscher takes us along as he hitchhikes his way across the Sahara, down the Congo River, and into the African rainforest. His smooth writing paints a vivid picture of the land and its people and his experiences along the way. Africa Solo is entertaining and enlightening, and, like any good book, left me wanting to read more.
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