To Timbuktu

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Summary: "To Timbuktu" an interesting comentary on dreams fulfilled
Review: "To Timbuktu" is a fine novel. It tells a story that is both true and timeless, one of personal discovery and exploration. It is a well writen and interesting to read. The author's diction is simple and freindly, and makes North Africa come alive for the reader. However the story does lack subtext and true cultural signifigance. Still, it is a novel worth the time it takes to read it.

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Summary: An enjoyable read!!
Review: "You must be young enough to believe in your own immortality in a mysterious, ineluctable way, but old enough to understand that you could die if you got too messed up." - Mark Jenkins

At the end of the read, you could feel that Death is the one who gave us life; and that to know life, we often have to first know Death.

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Summary: Mark Jenkins: The Ugly American goes to Mali
Review: American male leaves preganant wife in the States to have African adventure. Calls it the "Dark Continent." Argues with "natives" about their barbaric traditions. Has stereotypical run-ins with crocodiles, hippos, and killer bees. Dances with 100 naked "native women". Boasts and brags about abilities of himself. Don't waste your time. Is this the 20th century?

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Summary: Machismo is alive and well
Review: Can't Mark Jenkins and his buddies work out their testosterone-driven adventure needs without exploiting another culture in the process? Stick to Laramie, Wyoming, Mr. Jenkins. You're giving Americans a bad name.

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Summary: A swifty flowing description of mysteries of the Niger.
Review: I found this book to be a carefully woven tale of the challenges of the Niger, past and present. Just how foreign the culture surrounding that legendary river is was revealing. Several questions as to the value of our influence in those areas of the world were raised, as was the notion that we really cannot understand others easily.I think Jenkins has a masterful command of the language and I appreciated a chance to increase my vocabulary by about 50 words. Since I am not the adventurous type, I was happy to sit by my fire and be transported to a remote village where the chieftain held court in an orange caftan and wingtips with no socks. This book made me get out my atlas and immerse myself in Africa. Thanks, Mark!

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Summary: A great mix of adventure and history
Review: I have read the book twice in the past year and enjoyed it both times. With 3 different storylines (doing the Niger River source to sea, a boyhood trip to Europe and Africa, and the history of European attempts to understand the Niger and visit Timbuktu) this book is a joy to read. You experience the trip and the mental thoughts that go through the author's head, as well as some of the philosophical issues that are encountered in the trip (guns, pregnant wives, etc). My recommendation: Buy it.

Rating:
Summary: A great mix of adventure and history
Review: I have read the book twice in the past year and enjoyed it both times. With 3 different storylines (doing the Niger River source to sea, a boyhood trip to Europe and Africa, and the history of European attempts to understand the Niger and visit Timbuktu) this book is a joy to read. You experience the trip and the mental thoughts that go through the author's head, as well as some of the philosophical issues that are encountered in the trip (guns, pregnant wives, etc). My recommendation: Buy it.

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Summary: Excellent Story Telling Abilities
Review: I read the book in about 3 days, enjoyed it ... especially the way Mark throws in some previous African explorer history. You won't get any social redeeming values from reading this book, but it is light, good reading to pass time!

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Summary: Man goes to Africa, Wastes our time
Review: I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Nigeria, 1963-65. Jenkin's adventure along the Niger (before it reaches Nigeria) reminds me very much of those two years. I was never as adventurous as Mr. Jenkins and friends, but the highs and lows of his trip echo my modest African travel. Nigeria is now a dangerous place to visit, and Jenkins fleetingly encounters similar West African threats. He finds a formerly prosperous town in decay, also a Nigeria problem. He also meets wonderful, helpful Africans, as I did. The book interleaves three stories: the struggles of early Europeans to reach Timbuktu; post-high-school adventures of Jenkins and friend Mike in Europe and North Africa; their recent trek to the Niger's headwaters and kayak trip along some of it. I would never attempt the trip Jenkins took, but I'm glad he did and told me about it. The color photos are great; I'd like more. I enjoyed To Timbuktu so much I re-read it immediately, something I've not done before. I recommended it to all my Peace Corps cronies and bought copies for friends. It may appeal most to "guys," because it is about our occasional need for adventure, and to people who've visited West Africa.

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Summary: Wonderful West Africa adventure
Review: I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Nigeria, 1963-65. Jenkin's adventure along the Niger (before it reaches Nigeria) reminds me very much of those two years. I was never as adventurous as Mr. Jenkins and friends, but the highs and lows of his trip echo my modest African travel. Nigeria is now a dangerous place to visit, and Jenkins fleetingly encounters similar West African threats. He finds a formerly prosperous town in decay, also a Nigeria problem. He also meets wonderful, helpful Africans, as I did. The book interleaves three stories: the struggles of early Europeans to reach Timbuktu; post-high-school adventures of Jenkins and friend Mike in Europe and North Africa; their recent trek to the Niger's headwaters and kayak trip along some of it. I would never attempt the trip Jenkins took, but I'm glad he did and told me about it. The color photos are great; I'd like more. I enjoyed To Timbuktu so much I re-read it immediately, something I've not done before. I recommended it to all my Peace Corps cronies and bought copies for friends. It may appeal most to "guys," because it is about our occasional need for adventure, and to people who've visited West Africa.