Facing the Congo : A Modern-Day Journey into the Heart of Darkness

Rating:
Summary: A good book
Review: This book was a very good read. It started off a bit slow, but once I got into it was hard to put down. I liked that the author included pictures of his adventure.

Rating:
Summary: King Jeffrey's Ghost
Review: This was a very quick and exciting read that gave me a terrifying picture of how foreign and dangerous travel can be in the Congo. The heat, the bugs, the angry villagers, the lawlessness, the language and cultural barriers made me appreciate the insanity and bravery of Tayler in even attempting such a journey. The one shortcoming that I found was that Tayler never tried to figure out Desi until it was too late. He often put Desi off when Desi tried to strike up conversation about religion. I often felt that Tayler viewed himself to be above trying to befriend Desi and was just wrapped up in his own psychological dilemnas to care. He needed Desi only to survive, not for companionship or friendship. There was no final coming together or bonding of the two. Desi remained aloof and distant and Tayler couldn't figure out why. Now I understand that Desi was ill (although miraculously recovered at the end) and Tayler was probably under extreme stress. However, I was hoping that despite this, the two would have forged a relationship. Sadly this has been the tradition in Africa. The white man coming to Africa in search for something, using the natives to get it, and never caring enough to return the favor or build lasting relationships. To Tayler's credit I think he does come to this realization, but only until it was too late.

Rating:
Summary: King Jeffrey's Ghost
Review: This was a very quick and exciting read that gave me a terrifying picture of how foreign and dangerous travel can be in the Congo. The heat, the bugs, the angry villagers, the lawlessness, the language and cultural barriers made me appreciate the insanity and bravery of Tayler in even attempting such a journey. The one shortcoming that I found was that Tayler never tried to figure out Desi until it was too late. He often put Desi off when Desi tried to strike up conversation about religion. I often felt that Tayler viewed himself to be above trying to befriend Desi and was just wrapped up in his own psychological dilemnas to care. He needed Desi only to survive, not for companionship or friendship. There was no final coming together or bonding of the two. Desi remained aloof and distant and Tayler couldn't figure out why. Now I understand that Desi was ill (although miraculously recovered at the end) and Tayler was probably under extreme stress. However, I was hoping that despite this, the two would have forged a relationship. Sadly this has been the tradition in Africa. The white man coming to Africa in search for something, using the natives to get it, and never caring enough to return the favor or build lasting relationships. To Tayler's credit I think he does come to this realization, but only until it was too late.