Customer Reviews

White Men Don't Have Juju: An American Couple's Adventure Through Africa

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I found this book to be very well written. An interesting narrative of an amazing continent. The history, the adventure, the essence... it's all there. I read it 3 months before leaving for an extended stay in East Africa. It was an excellent review and preparation for the adventures I was soon to experience. I have recommended it to everyone! Just like the Ascanio's, Africa is still inside of me, and I can't wait to go back!

I can't corroborate the truthfulness of this book as I have never been to Africa and probably never will. However, the book seems to have the 'ring of truth' to it. It is very well written - entertaining, easy to follow and informative.

The writers shun the traditional type of tourism where huge sums are paid to see the big game and the tourists who recount there African travels by the number and types of game they saw. On a shoe string budget, they covered a huge expanse of the country befriending natives along the way and giving and receiving help from them and other tourists. Their accounts of each country they were in, they people they met and the things that happen make the reader feel as if they followed along with them and leaves the flavor of each country with the reader.

I found the problems that they faced when they got down to the southeastern part of their journey particularly eye opening. There they faced a corrupt police force, encountered a rebellion, and got a crash course in African politics and culture.

One of the most down-to-earth books about Africa that you'll find. The Ascanios sold everything they owned to finance a year, mostly on foot, in Central Africa. Their bodies have returned, but their spirits remain in Africa with the people they learned to love.

The Ascanios start their journey knowing nothing, not even --almost -- how to stay alive. But they learn, and you learn with them.

Not only is this poorly written and sophmoric it is hard to believe that a publisher would actully try to sell it (I found an old copy at a hostel in Africa. I found out why only the first 25 pages had been read) If you are serious about Africa, the experience it can provide, or want to have a really good armchair travel experience read ANYTHING else...It is just that bad