Bill Bryson African Diary
12 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by goldloeckchen from Dortmund, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Sweet little travel book about Bryson's Kenya visit.
Amazon:
Bryson visits Kenya at the invitation of CARE International, the charity dedicated to eradicating poverty. Kenya is a land of contrasts, with famous game reserves and a vibrant culture. It also provides plenty to worry a traveller like Bill Bryson, fixated as he is on the dangers posed by snakes, insects and large predators. It is also a country with many serious problems: refugees, AIDS, drought, and grinding poverty. The resultant diary, though short in length, contains the trademark Bryson stamp of wry observation and curious insight.
Bookray members:
1. weeblet (US)
2. raku(US)
3. MandMsMom (US)
3. a) dhansen1019 (US)
3. b) alanfoxboro (US)
3. c) maparkerUS
4. dellfalconer (Austria)
5. YowlYY (UK)
5. a) Koalabare (UK)<-------------
6. Lys-is-trata (Germany)
7.
Mary-T (Germany)
8. Soongsis2 (Singapore)
8.
Amazon:
Bryson visits Kenya at the invitation of CARE International, the charity dedicated to eradicating poverty. Kenya is a land of contrasts, with famous game reserves and a vibrant culture. It also provides plenty to worry a traveller like Bill Bryson, fixated as he is on the dangers posed by snakes, insects and large predators. It is also a country with many serious problems: refugees, AIDS, drought, and grinding poverty. The resultant diary, though short in length, contains the trademark Bryson stamp of wry observation and curious insight.
Bookray members:
1. weeblet (US)
2. raku(US)
3. MandMsMom (US)
3. a) dhansen1019 (US)
3. b) alanfoxboro (US)
3. c) maparkerUS
4. dellfalconer (Austria)
5. YowlYY (UK)
5. a) Koalabare (UK)<-------------
6. Lys-is-trata (Germany)
7.
Mary-T (Germany)
8. Soongsis2 (Singapore)
8.
got it- i'll read it tonight :)
fascinating, and as usual- quite funny.i feel a little guilty reading this for free, however.
i'll pass this along shortly. thanks for sharing :)
really enjoyed reading Bryson's experiences in Africa - he has such a wonderful sense of humor, have seen it over and over again in other books he has written, but really loved to see he also has a huge, giving heart. mandmsmom - your next!
I have been reading an awful lot of chick lit lately and am looking forward to an opportunity to break away with something "light" (literally). Thanks for sharing! Will get this one right back on the road in no time!
As usual, Bill Bryson turns out another great story. I always love his books and descriptions of his adventures and the places he visits. My only gripe about this book is that it was too short. Alas, I will wait for the next Bryson adventure - one that I am sure will not include light aircraft.
I too felt guilty reading this for free and intend to make a small donation to CARE for their important work.
I too felt guilty reading this for free and intend to make a small donation to CARE for their important work.
Received in the mail yesterday I will read this book next.
I enjoyed the book but felt it was to short. I would have liked more. I have always liked his style of writing. Since it was only 56 pages I read it in one sitting. I'm hoping to get this out in the mail before Thanksgiving.
I received this book in the mail today. I will read it and post a review ASAP.
This is a great little book. I have been to East Africa and seen some of the heartbreaking things Bryson describes in his African Diary. He does a great job (as always) of using humor to bring important issues to public notice.
Thanks to goldloeckchen for the opportunity to read this. This book is going on to maparker today to continue the bookray.
Thanks to goldloeckchen for the opportunity to read this. This book is going on to maparker today to continue the bookray.
Journal Entry 12 by dellfalconer from Ebensee, Oberösterreich Austria on Wednesday, February 8, 2006
Thanks for the book, maparker! Sorry you were the one that got stuck with sending it across the pond and paying so much postage. Funny, but this edition of the book was published in the UK, and that's where it's going after me.
I enjoy reading Bryson, but I've often read that he doesn't always get his facts straight. Since I was in Tanzania for 2 years, where they speak Swahili like they do in Kenya, I noticed a couple mistakes right away. He attributed a few phrases to Swahili that aren't: http://humanlanguages.com/swahilienglish/rlsk.htm#Kiswahili
However, he is to be highly commended for contributing all the profits and royalties from this book to CARE.
Now it is off to YowlYY in the UK.
However, he is to be highly commended for contributing all the profits and royalties from this book to CARE.
Now it is off to YowlYY in the UK.
The book just arrived! With this colourful cover it is just the right antidote to a dull, grey and cold day in Nottingham :)Thanks to dellfalconer for shipping!
I have many books by Bryson at home, but still on my TBR shelves, so this was my first Bryson and I am delighted! All that was said about his writing style and humour is true, and I look forward for more now :)This brief book is not only humourous but also very touching: in showing what can happen when supporting special organisations like CARE, we can really make a difference. The stories of the young man who would have loved to become a paleonthologist, but did not have the funds, and the lady who sells bits and odds at the market, as well as the farmer who now is also educating other locals on how to grow crops are very uplifting and motivating - however, the book is a bit too brief, and I would have loved to learn more about the local communities helped by CARE.
Still, it has been well worth reading.
Thanks to goldloeckchen for this pearl, which is already on the way to Koalabare...happy reading!
Photo courtesy of scottsnelling
Arrived while I was on holiday. Will get to it asap. Thanks YowlYY for sending and goldloeckchen for organising!
Enjoyed this - a very quick read (almost too quick!)
Some parts (most notably the description of the plane journey) had me snorting loudly to myself - not good on a crowded commuter train!
This was interesting and certainly raised awareness of Kenya's problems, especially as I'm considering a holiday out there later this year. I hope that there's a follow-up book in the future - this was almost too short, and I think Care International needs all the help it can get!
Off to Lys-is-strata today.
Some parts (most notably the description of the plane journey) had me snorting loudly to myself - not good on a crowded commuter train!
This was interesting and certainly raised awareness of Kenya's problems, especially as I'm considering a holiday out there later this year. I hope that there's a follow-up book in the future - this was almost too short, and I think Care International needs all the help it can get!
Off to Lys-is-strata today.
Arrived yesterday, thanks to Koalabare for quick despatch. Pace will slow down considerably, however, as I still a lot of other rings to read.
Sorry, that it took me so long to read the few pages of this interesting book. I missed the typical style of the author but maybe this has been impossible when writing about such topics.
Will be mailing to Mary-T today.
Will be mailing to Mary-T today.
The little book arrived today with 3 other book-rings... But I think I will finish it soon. More later...
17.6.06
Well this was my first Bryson. I think it won't be my last - 'cause I like his style. Nevertheless this book was very thin and not really grapping... But I liked some funny parts - and as well this is a good thing.
Thanks for the oppertunity to read this!
The book will travel to Soongis tomorrow.
17.6.06
Well this was my first Bryson. I think it won't be my last - 'cause I like his style. Nevertheless this book was very thin and not really grapping... But I liked some funny parts - and as well this is a good thing.
Thanks for the oppertunity to read this!
The book will travel to Soongis tomorrow.
Was on my desk today! I think it arrived last week, as I was out of town. Looks thin - I think I should be able to finish this in a jiffy. Cheers!
