 |
This will give you some perspective on life in the Saharan region of Africa. Surely some elements have changed after 200 years; however, many remain the same. The ability of the body to adapt under dire circumstances is fascinating. Make sure you read this with a tall glass of iced water !
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Dean King's recounting of the famous shipwreck and capture of American sailors off the coast of now Western Sahara in 1825 is a heartstopping work of nonfiction that you'll have a hard time setting down. Based on accounts by the captain and crew members, Dean's narrative weaves in historic and cultural observations of his own based on further research and his own travels in the area. As an adventure tale of survival Skeletons On the Zahara is perhaps unsurpassed. But there's a bonus in the cultural/anthropological richness Dean brings to his descriptions of the great variety of people inhabiting an area that is still a mystery to today, almost three centuries later.
Not since reading "South" by Earnest Shackleton have I come across such a riveting tale of survival and human will to live. An epic of suffering, hope and cultural differences on the blistering and unforgiving Sahara. Skeletons on the Zahara is a "can't put it down" story you are sure to enjoy. A gem and a true story that might be considered unbelievable....had it not actually happened! Highly recommended to anyone who loves a good human drama or high-adventure non-fiction. I wish I could give this book a 6 out of 5!
Having seen a documentary about this subject, my husband became fascinated by the experiences these 19th century sailors endured. Further research revealed a book detailing the story further, and we promptly ordered it, as a Buy It Now option. He has enjoyed it very much, as a story of the harrowing experiences human beings can endure, and somehow, still survive. I highly recommend it, based upon his comments, to any history buffs, sea lore enthusiasts, or those with an appreciation for adventure yarns. -Linda Kelley
You can find the synopsis of this book elsewhere, I'll just leave you with my impressions. This is one of those historical works that almost reads like a novel, but not in a schlocky way. Dean King does a nice job sticking to the unimpassioned facts, while still injecting enough humanism so that the reader generates genuine empathy and respect for the heroes of this story. I highly recommend this read!
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in Books
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on Books
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
