African Odyssey: The adventurous journeys of a Peace Corps volunteer in Africa [Paperback]

Floyd Sandford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 13, 2007

How does a little-traveled idealistic New Yorker adjust to the life of a Peace Corps volunteer in Africa, teaching biology in a culture infused with superstition? In this memoir, a former Peace Corps volunteer recounts the challenges and frustrations of teaching secondary school science in Nigeria from 1964-66, just prior to the tragic Biafran War. Author Sandford describes memorable, often humorous, experiences living and working in Nigeria and traveling throughout the country, including unusual dining experiences, an embarrassing church visit, his first haircut by an African barber, and an encounter with a traditional Yoruba healer or juju man. He also relates traveling to National Parks and interesting locales in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, in East Africa, and his adventures there, including meeting Jomo Kenyatta in Mombasa, the Hyena Man in Harar, and surviving an elephant stampede in Murchison Falls NP.

African Odyssey is a readable and entertaining account of one American’s immersion in a different culture, and of the rewards that come when a person confronts new challenges and uniquely different situations, assuming the risks of journeying to places much different from those to which one is accustomed.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Born in 1940 on Long Island, Floyd Sandford attended St. Lawrence University, Southern Illinois University, and Michigan State before receiving a doctorate in Zoology from the University of Oklahoma. Retired from college teaching, he travels, joins Earthwatch expeditions, plants trees, and hikes long distances. He lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Product Details

• Paperback: 170 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (June 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595440177
• ISBN-13: 978-0595440177
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,592,067 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Read, February 28, 2008

By 

Linda Y. Hawkins (New Port Richey, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: African Odyssey: The adventurous journeys of a Peace Corps volunteer in Africa (Paperback)

Though I was only a baby during the time of this very down to earth writer's time in the Peace Corps. I feel as though I can see much in my mind of what he went through, I doubt many of us could have handle the situations he found himself in with as much calm and restraint. I enjoyed the book very much couldn't put it down it has you laughing and wondering what you yourself would have done. We have much to learn from people who have the courage to volunteer themselves and their knowledge with those who are truly in need. A Wonderful read thank you.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you remember the Peace Corps at the beginning, December 7, 2007

By 

Stanley (Iowa City, IA, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: African Odyssey: The adventurous journeys of a Peace Corps volunteer in Africa (Paperback)

The time was the 60's and we were going to save the world by hard work and caring. If you were part of that time then you will find this book interesting. The author is smart and serious and oh so funny. There are parts of this book that are laugh out loud funny and parts that are very wistful. How could we be so sure that we knew how to "help" another culture. Of course, it is clear that one learns much from the other culture and hard work and even disappointment are not the worst things that can happen to a young person. This would make a great Christmas gift for anyone who remembers those times. I loved it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Read, November 2, 2007

By 

B. Henderson (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: African Odyssey: The adventurous journeys of a Peace Corps volunteer in Africa (Paperback)

I began the book with a great anticipation of seeing an old friend among the pages. Soon, although the character was familiar, I found myself thinking of this young doc as a separate entity. Through the narration I could hear him, but the character within became like many others whom I have read: Bryson, Theroux, William Least Heatmoon; I fell in love with the character whose story was told.
I walked the dusty road along with the author, saw the dust swirl in the dry air and paint the sunset soft. I heard the water lap the edges of a kayak in Theroux's, Heatmoon's and O'Dell's work and could feel the coolness of the water and see the sky it reflected. I felt what they wrote, I dreamed and strived and leaned in spirit as you would while watching a sports car race on the somewhat grainy 3-D show at the carnival or county fair. I questioned "why did you do that and not this" as I read about failed attempts at this or that, and in other places decided that I did not like the characters at all but would however tolerate them for a few more pages just to see if they would redeem themselves to me... and to my great pleasure they always did....what a great read.
Four stars because it just was not long enough.