Customer Reviews

Tales From Tanzania: A mostly true story

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This excellent novel is proof that truth is not only stranger than fiction, it's funnier. As you follow Balows on a budget safari through the wilds of Africa, you manage to feel sorry for his misadventures, while at the same time wishing you were there. This reader definitely hopes he takes us along on his next journey!

Most of this book is about the effects of drinking bad water. Little is about the amazing habitats and animals the author experienced. There are some good points to the book, but they come mostly at the end when he finally uses his language skills to describe the wonders he's seeing, and gives his fellow traveling companions a break from being used to make himself appear clever.

Whilst travelling across Africa, Scott has a kept one eye on the lions and one eye on his travelling companions. This is less of a truck holiday story than a reflection on the comical misunderstanding between cultures. A must for anyone considering a trip to Africa.

Humor about vomit or bathroom issues gives this book a big stink. So does the ceasless scapegoating directed to the most inept fellow traveler. Better text is found in the author's interactions with wildlife and natives. Overall this book is like the primitive latrines it aptly describes - it stinks!

Balows' keen ear for dialogue and wry perspective make Tales From Tanzania a must read for anyone who's ever (or, for that matter, never) travelled with a group of strangers. A highly entertaining account of the comic human safari.

I would give this book a 5 star if the title was "Chronicle of The People and Events of My Trip in Tanzania". The book is 70% about the author's conversation with his camp mates, about what goes on amongst them, about puking, and, last but not least, his imaginations. The amazing animals and habitats of Tanzania probably only takes up about 30%. Then again, the title didn't say anything about wildlife, I should have known.

Some readers find him hilarious, but I find his jokes bordering on lameness and immaturity. If you're into the incredible wildlife of Africa, I highly recommend Peter Allison's "Whatever You Do, Don't Run".

I'm very taken by Scott's tales. What I find so amazing about his writing are the easy turns from low-brow realities of a budget safari, to actual majestic moments. It's a bit like David Sedaris meets Isak Dinesen. It takes its own gentle swipe at the Abercrombie and Fitch crowd sipping their cocktails at sunset without getting mud on their shoes. And it reminds us that the best part of travel is adapting, laughing, surviving, and replacing our storybook images of exotic places with the real guy next to us on the bus, and, yes, even the full on digestive distress. I can't think of another writer who manages to deliver such unique characters and adventures (these people are real!) - but also maintain just enough of a sense of wonder to make us want to go. I laughed a lot - but also felt very moved seeing the country through his eyes.

Having taken tour group trips within Africa and other places, I could relate to many of Balows' accounts of fellow travelers, ailments, inital (if not exaggerated) excitement at sighting wildlife, local peddlers, malaria drugs, etc. The book had me laughing out loud many times! If you have traveled in such a way, you will love this book!

Very funny but fairly accurate account of an American's experiences on a Safari in Tanzania.Could have done without some of his gastro-intentinal problems, which were described in painful detail, but enjoyed it anyway - was on a safari myself when I read it.

I've read several books of this type and absolutely loved them. In this book, the humor is forced. I felt like he had a book af adjectives next to him to help him write. I had trouble getting through the book. He is truely "the Ugly American". I've travelled many times to all of the places in this book and was so disappointed in how he describes the places and mostly the people. I've traveled with Brits and had to go through the "America Bashing" which is nothing like his "British Bashing--after the fact". The only positive thing in the book was he spelled "Maasai" correctly. I won't buy another book about humorous trips in Africa, because I'd be afraid they would write like him. Instead, read "Whatever You Do, Don't Run". You'll love it. And--it's funny.