A hilarious and wrenching memoir from a peace Corps volunteer in Zaire.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
As a Peace Corp volunteer, Mr. Tidwell spent two years in the grasslands of south central Zaire trying to teach the benefits of fish farming in some of the poorest villages on the continent. His task was not easy. One villager was convinced that fish would stock the ponds naturally, since they come to earth in raindrops. Others suspected that the ponds were just another way for whites to exploit black labor. When he finally made headway, the fish farmers gave away nearly half their harvest to relatives, and Tidwell learned one of many powerful lessons: tradition takes precedence over profits. While the tragic poverty and disease faced by the villagers was daunting, Tidwell found that their adherence to heritage and their celebration of tiny triumphs and daily satisfactions revealed a life richer than he had ever known.
From Publishers Weekly
Tidwell presents his memoir of a two-year sojourn as a Peace Corps worker among a remote tribe in Zaire.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
There are not many books about the Peace Corps experience in central Africa, but despite the lack of competition "The Ponds of Kalambayi" by Mike Tidwell is an outstanding book, much deserving more attention. Many Westerners feel the need to write a book after traveling or living in Africa, some actually do, but few write a good book; here is the exception: this is a very good book. In the mid-1980s Tidwell worked as a Peace Corps volunteer in the very center of Africa, rural then-Zaire (later Congo or "Congo-Kinshasa"). This published account of his experience is thoughtful and honest and his prose writing and story-telling skills are excellent. He shares valuable insights into the daily lives, culture, and history of the villagers whom he taught fish farming and lived and worked with for two years. As expected, Tidwell documents the joys, sorrows, and travails of aquaculture, but that is only part of this book. He also writes about his faithful household employee; drinking; sickness and recovery, or death; hunting; poverty; marriage, family life, and children; cotton farming; diamond mining; and a hundred other things. Equally engaging and important is his description of the effects his experience had on him, physically, mentally, and emotionally. This book is an excellent choice for anyone with an interest in the Peace Corps, Africa, or Tilapia.
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Having lived and worked in Africa, one of the hardest things to convey to people who have not been there, is how despite poverty and other hardships, Africa is not a sad place. This book does a great job of explaining the beauty and strength of Africa and its people. It also shows that people have good sound reasons for doing what to us initially may seem crazy and irrational. Tidwell's book also does a great job of showing the impact that Africa has on the people who go there. His honesty and examination of both himself and the people he lives with make this book a winner.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A great book for anyone with an interest in either the Peace Corp or living/travelling in Africa. The author's observations about life and work in Zaire were fascinating. Highly recommended!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Honest, well-written and powerful
I read up on Peace Corps before joining, and this is one of the books that somehow missed being read until now, after my service. Read more
Published 11 months ago by R. Decalo
Interesting Account of Peace Corp Experience
Mike Tidwell's "The Ponds of Kalambayi: An African Sojourn" is an interesting account of his trials and tribulations living in Zaire. Read more
Published on November 7, 2009 by Rufus Burgess
AFRICA
This is an amazing book about Africa. For one who has never been there it shows the other half, the half that you don't hear in the news, the part that we all know exists but never... Read more
Published on November 27, 2007 by J. Siri
Great Book
As a returned Peace Corps volunteer who served in francophone Africa (Gabon - 89-91), Mike Tidwell captures the experience better than any other Peace Corps writer I've read. Read more
Published on March 27, 2006 by J
Great Memoir for Any Westerner Going to Live in Africa!
Mike Tidwell's memoir of his two years of Peace Corp work teaching villagers to build fish ponds is about so much more than that. Read more
Published on January 22, 2005 by Michelle Commeyras
Surprisingly Good
After deciding that I wanted to apply to the Peace Corps, I began doing online and literary research on the experience as a whole. Read more
Published on September 22, 2003
An enjoyable and enlightening read.
I am full of admiration for the success the author had with his fishponds despite the local culture. Read more
Published on October 27, 1998
A kind of book that every serious traveler wants to write
Having just returned from a trip to southern Africa, I found myself nodding in agreement with many of Tidwell's keen observation of Africa. Read more
Published on February 20, 1998
It takes a clear-eyed look at a life-changing experience.
I think Peace Corps Volunteers and those who are thinking of going overseas will enjoy reading this book. Read more
Published on March 12, 1997
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