The Ponds of Kalambayi (Paperback)

~ (Author)

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.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: The Lyons Press; 1st edition (May 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155821447X
• ISBN-13: 978-1558214477
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #171,483 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #1 in	Books > Travel > Africa > Democratic Republic of Congo
  #8 in	Books > History > Africa > Democratic Republic of Congo

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vital Account of Peace Corps experience, September 4, 2000

By	Ed Gibbon www.congocookbook.com (Washington DC) - See all my reviews

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:

5.0 out of 5 stars The truth about Africa, December 27, 2000

By	N. Quast (Dulles, Virginia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What an interesting experience - very enjoyable!, June 28, 1998

By	[e-mail] (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

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!