Blood River
A Journey to Africa's Broken Heart
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Vintage Publishing
Published:3rd Jan '08
Should be back in stock very soon
A daring journey through the Congo reveals its rich history and the challenges faced by its people in Blood River, a compelling travelogue.
In Blood River, the author embarks on an ambitious journey to retrace H.M. Stanley's legendary expedition across Africa. Armed with only a rucksack and a few thousand dollars tucked away in his boots, he sets out for the eastern border of the Congo. His travels take him through a myriad of landscapes, utilizing various modes of transport, including a motorbike and a dugout canoe. Along the way, he encounters a diverse cast of characters, each contributing to the rich tapestry of his experience in this complex region.
The narrative not only chronicles the author's personal adventure but also delves into the history and current state of the Congo, a country largely inaccessible to outsiders. Through vivid storytelling, Blood River paints a picture of a land filled with both beauty and turmoil, shedding light on the challenges faced by its people. The author's determination to navigate this perilous terrain highlights the spirit of exploration that characterized the Victorian adventurers he seeks to emulate.
Tim Butcher's journey is both a physical and emotional odyssey, marked by moments of danger and discovery. The book serves as a compelling account of a journalist's quest for understanding in a place often shrouded in mystery. With keen observations and a gripping narrative style, Blood River invites readers to join him on this unforgettable expedition into the heart of Africa.
A remarkable, fascinating book by a courageous and perceptive writer. One of the most exciting books to emerge from Africa in recent years -- Alexander McCall Smith
An intrepid adventure. In making and describing this journey, Tim Butcher has followed in the footsteps of Stanley and Conrad. It takes a lot of guts to yomp through the Congo and he obviously has plenty of those. But it is the wit and passion of the writing which keeps you engrossed -- Giles Foden
This is a terrific book, an adventure story about a journey of great bravery in one of the world's most dangerous places. It keeps the heart beating and the attention fixed from beginning to end -- Fergal Keane
A masterpiece -- John le Carre
Tim Butcher deserves a medal for this crazy feat. I marvel at his courage and his empathy -- Thomas Pakenham
Blood River represents a remarkable marriage of travelogue and history, which deserves to make Tim Butcher a star for his prose, as well as his courage -- Max Hastings
It's a fine book, and I greatly enjoyed it. It's a story of the extraordinary courage, tenacity and endurance of two men: H. M. Stanley, and Tim Butcher, who wrote it...a great achievement -- John Simpson
From his adventure he has plundered a wealth of terrific stories, and survived to recite a rosary of unstinting horror -- Nicholas Shakespeare * Daily Telegraph *
It throws light on a place that lives in such extreme darkness, most of us have lost sight of it completely. In doing so, it reminds us that travel writing can still be exciting, uncompromising and politically relevant * Spectator *
Tim Butcher’s book is the latest in a long line, running through Joseph Conrad, Graham Greene, VS Naipaul…his account of a hair-rising trip from east to west, against all advice... is gripping and harshly informative * Sunday Times *
- Short-listed for Dolman Best Travel Book of the Year Award 2008
- Short-listed for Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction 2008
ISBN: 9780099494287
Dimensions: 198mm x 130mm x 24mm
Weight: 302g
384 pages