African Lives: White Lies, Tropical Truth, Darkest Gossip, and Rumblings of Rumor--From Chinese Gordon to Beryl Markham, and Beyond

I went into this book with the intention of ripping it to pieces. I came away disagreeing with the message and impressed at how well Mr. Boyles writes. Any professional writer should read this book, if for no other reason than to explore some of the better subtleties of the trade. This book is well written, clear, it moves admirably well considering the subject matter which I previously would have thought to be prose-proof. It shows how enjoyable even subjects that one would previously have had no interest in can come alive for a reader with the right author. Buy this book.