Cruelest Journey: Six Hyndred Miles to Timbuktu

This book was very interesting and hard to put down because I was anxious to see what adventures lie ahead on the Niger River. The only thing I was disappointed in is that the author continued to hand out money perpetuating the problem of the locals thinking they can beg for money from anyone white. I just returned from South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe and, after reading this book, I can say I am EXTREMELY glad I did not travel to Mali! The hostilities, extreme poverty, slavery, and human mutilation she witnessed in Mali would've been depressing but at the same time I think it's something we should all learn about. I enjoyed the book so much I'm ordering her "Four Corners" book today. There are no photos in the book except for a small one of the author on the book cover. If you want to see the photos of her journey, you'll have to go onto the National Geographic site or do an internet search for Kira Salak.

This book is many things. It's an adventure story. It's a geography lesson. It's a study in anthropology. It's an exposition on the mindset of an explorer. Mostly, it's a well-written tale of an American woman, Kira Salak, and her quest to continue living an extraordinary life. "If a journey doesn't have something to teach you about yourself, then what kind of journey is it?" she writes. This book takes us along for the ride. The tone is conversational, very readable, honest, and refreshing. The Cruelest Journey is aptly named. Indeed, Salak recounts a grueling journey inside an inflatable red kyak, 600 miles along the Niger River in the West African country, Mali. She encounters both friendly and hostile villagers, calm and stormy weather, hunger, injury, sickness, potentially dangerous hippos, and incredible uncertainty. Using the Scottish explorer, Mungo Park, as a mentor of sorts, she attempts to reenact his adventure some 200 years earlier. She finds that not a lot has changed from what she read in his memoirs, which she holds close throughout the trip and quotes often. Before I picked up this book, I didn't know where to point on a map to tell anyone the location of Timbuktu. It's a mysterious place, often used to describe the outskirts of the world. Salak's journey doesn't dispel this myth. I found this story fascinating and highly recommend it. Michele Cozzens, Author of A Line Between Friends and The Things I Wish I'd Said.

Salak not only takes the reader on a journey into the interior of Africa, but also into the jungles of the mind as she deals with her own feelings and impressions of what she sees and experiences during these many miles. Such writing - and sharing - is what makes for a travelogue more revealing and pleasurable than just words and pictures. While in this instance, the publisher chose not to include pictures, photos were taken and can be found at http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/0301/photo_1.html The National Geographic photographer, Rémi Bénali, had this to say about the experience: "Kira and I made a deal that I would not interfere with her adventure-I had a big boat, with a crew. She had to experience Africa by herself. So we would only meet for a few hours every four days. "As you can see, everybody's on the banks of the river, looking at her leaving. It's so interesting for them-it's the first time they've seen such a kayak. The first time I saw it, I thought, She's not going to make it! It's too small, like a toy." ********* I'm glad Kira Salak made it. And I'm glad National Geographic at least made those photos available on-line, if not in the book. It was nice to be able to glimpse some of the scenes she described in her compelling writing.

This is one of those books that would give you a different perspective in life. Salak takes you to places most people would never go in their life. Following the path of a British explorer, Salak paddled 600 miles of Niger River to Timbuktu. Along the way, she experienced kindness from strangers, hostile attack from tribes, voodoo fortune telling, hunger and sickness. This trip makes her realize one doesn't need much material things to lead a happy life. It's hard to imagine, in the other end of the globe, there are people living in very primitive lifestyle. Watching commercials on TV is considered a big event for the whole village. What is disturbing is that slavery and mutilation of female body parts are still practiced in some villages. Her account of the experience is so alive that I got goosebumps reading them. Definitely a great read for someone who wants to explore Niger river, but doesn't want to leave the comfort of his own chair.

For anyone who enjoys reading travel literature, this book is a gem. In describing her kayak joureny down the Niger, Kira Salak expertly captures not only the spirit of the Sahel region, but also the hardships it presents to both travellers and to its inhabitants. Not to mention that Kira displays incredible talent as a wordsmith...