Bill Bryson's African Diary
by Bill Bryson
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 342)
Read in June, 2008
Unlike most people, I guess, I had no idea that this book was little more than a 49-page pamphlet for CARE, a group doing international aid work, including work with refugees and the poor in Kenya (the focus of this book/pamphlet). I placed the thing on hold sight unseen with my library, and only when I stopped by to check it out did I find a volume rather slimmer than I had expected.
Well, I'm a big Bill Bryson fan, so I hoped that it would at least be just under 50 pages of typical Bryson ...more
Well, I'm a big Bill Bryson fan, so I hoped that it would at least be just under 50 pages of typical Bryson ...more
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Read in February, 2008
I'm torn on this one, which I almost rated a 4. The book is only 49 pages, written to support CARE International. The author and publishers donated their time and proceeds to support the organization. Bryson toured Kenya with CARE employees and wrote about his experiences.
Bryson's typical humor is still present but subdued in comparison to his best work. For one thing, he admires and cares for his companions. Additionally, he is more respectful of the struggles of the natives. Only Bryson h...more
Bryson's typical humor is still present but subdued in comparison to his best work. For one thing, he admires and cares for his companions. Additionally, he is more respectful of the struggles of the natives. Only Bryson h...more
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I feel like an asshole for not giving this more stars. I am an enormous Bill Bryson fan -- I've read everything else he has published (with the exception of "Shakespeare: The World as Stage" which I'm starting tonight). Unfortunately, this sort of wasn't a Bill Bryson book. It was a Bill Bryson... journal entry. It was only 49 pages, and because it was done for charity, it was overly sincere. It almost completely lacked Bryson's signature humor. He normally has such a colorful wa...more
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Read in January, 2008
I liked this book, but since it was about such a short trip it lacked the quality that usually makes Bill Bryson's books so good and interesting--the well-researched interesting bits of history and anecdotes that he usually includes.
This book was written as a benefit for CARE International and chronicles Bryson's week long trip to Kenya to visit some of CARE's facilities. All of the profits (including Bryson's royalties) from the sale of the book go to CARE, so if you like Bryson's writing y...more
This book was written as a benefit for CARE International and chronicles Bryson's week long trip to Kenya to visit some of CARE's facilities. All of the profits (including Bryson's royalties) from the sale of the book go to CARE, so if you like Bryson's writing y...more
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Read in September, 2008
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The phrase short and sweet popped into my mind about this 49 page little book about Bill Bryson’s 8 days in Kenya. It is actually a bitter sweet account about the work of the charity organization CARE one of the worlds leading international organizations fighting against poverty. They believe that by working to find the source of a communities problems and solving it they can help mak...more
The phrase short and sweet popped into my mind about this 49 page little book about Bill Bryson’s 8 days in Kenya. It is actually a bitter sweet account about the work of the charity organization CARE one of the worlds leading international organizations fighting against poverty. They believe that by working to find the source of a communities problems and solving it they can help mak...more
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From Amazon:
"Bryson visits Kenya at the invitation of CARE International, thecharity dedicated to eradicating poverty. Kenya is a land of contrasts,with famous game reserves and a vibrant culture. It also providesplenty to worry a traveller like Bill Bryson, fixated as he is on thedangers posed by snakes, insects and large predators. It is also acountry with many serious problems: refugees, AIDS, drought, andgrinding poverty. The resultant diary, though short in length, containsthe trademark Bryson stamp of wry observation and curious insight."
...more
"Bryson visits Kenya at the invitation of CARE International, thecharity dedicated to eradicating poverty. Kenya is a land of contrasts,with famous game reserves and a vibrant culture. It also providesplenty to worry a traveller like Bill Bryson, fixated as he is on thedangers posed by snakes, insects and large predators. It is also acountry with many serious problems: refugees, AIDS, drought, andgrinding poverty. The resultant diary, though short in length, containsthe trademark Bryson stamp of wry observation and curious insight."
...more
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Read in January, 2004
recommends it for:
Bryson fans
Writing while traveling through Kenya on a CARE organization-sponsored trip, Bryson once again brings life and humor to a world landscape in this book about his African experiences. In comparing this title to Bryson's other travel memoirs, the two things that set this book apart are the length (a very short, quick 49 pages) and the location, specifically the level of poverty and hunger in Africa. It is hard to bring a light-hearted touch to scenes dealing with hungry children and horrific living...more
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Read in February, 2008
Bill Bryson's heart was in the right place with this one--in cooperation with the aid group CARE, he visited Kenya and published the "diary" of his experiences with all profits going to the charity. Overall, though, a pretty lackluster effort--the book clocks in at a mere 49 (!!!) pages, plus ten pages of photos. Bryson's trip was only eight days long, of which at least two were spent traveling, so there wasn't really much to report anyway. Short, superficial, and of limited value--fel...more
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Awfully noble of Bryson and his publishers to donate all the royalties and profits from its sale to CARE. It's Bryson, it's worth a read, and it's a noble cause. I wish it were longer, but come on, the people who put it together basically worked for free. Seeing full-color pictures of Bryson's sunburned skin was a nice touch. Worth a read for the humanitarian Bryson fan, but probably not a great way for a first-time reader to get acquainted.
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Read in May, 2008
This was a very quick read, even for me. It covers a 5 day journey that Bill took through Africa with the CARE program, learning about the aid that is given to so many parts of the country, and how these areas are becoming self sufficient due to the aid.
My only regret is that I bought this book used, as ALL of the money that the book earns goes to the CARE program. Even the publisher itself isn't taking a cut. Very impressive!
My only regret is that I bought this book used, as ALL of the money that the book earns goes to the CARE program. Even the publisher itself isn't taking a cut. Very impressive!
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Read in June, 2006
recommends it for:
Humanitarians/Volunteers
This is a lovely very short book (49 pages!) and all the royalties and profits from the sale of this book go to CARE International. Enjoy an amazing read and feel good about your reading well. Mr. Bryon's humor is still intact within this very important read about Africa and CARE International's good works therein. Even if you borrow it from the library (or just read it in a bookshop) it's well worth your time and money.....
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Read in September, 2007
I know it's wee little, but it is worth reading in the half hour of your time it would take, and worth the money being donated to CARE. One of the facts that struck me particularly is:
"Every time you flush a toilet you use more water than the average person in the developing world has for all purposes in a day--cooking, cleaning, drinking, everything."
It's best not to forget.
"Every time you flush a toilet you use more water than the average person in the developing world has for all purposes in a day--cooking, cleaning, drinking, everything."
It's best not to forget.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in June, 2008
recommends it for:
travel lovers
Please see my detailed review at Amazon.com Grace's "African Diary" Review
Please click that the review was helpful to you at Amazon so that my rating continues to climb! Thanks!
Very short, but oh so interesting - and, in true Bryson style, hilarious.
Please click that the review was helpful to you at Amazon so that my rating continues to climb! Thanks!
Very short, but oh so interesting - and, in true Bryson style, hilarious.
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A reasonably well written and very short book that attempts to describe Kenya. The brevity of the book does not do justice to the country or the people. However, all proceeds from the sale of it go to CARE, an extrememly good cause. I therefore suggest that everyone buy it, even if you don't read it. It's about a twenty minute read.
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Read in April, 2008
This book was a short account of Bryson's trip to Africa with CARE. It was sponsored by CARE, so was a bit of an advertisement for them, but it was still interesting. Very short and easy to read, but still packed with some good information about Africa. And funny in spots, like all his books are (and all good books should be).
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A slim, 50-page volume detailing an 8-day visit to Kenya Bryson took. The book is raising money for CARE international, the organization that arranged the tour and which is helping lots of people in Africa (and maybe elsewhere?). I undertook it partly so I could get back into book-finishing mode. A nice read.
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Read in December, 2007
Bill Bryson's books remind me of Micheal Moore's documentary. At fisrt I am laughing, next the ranting seems to get on my nerves, and finally you relize he never has any idea for a possible solution.....
Solution's are generally better then bitchin'..... but he still manages to sell books.
Solution's are generally better then bitchin'..... but he still manages to sell books.
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Always like his travel writings, but have not gotten around to this one yet.
Wow, that was short. Really short-50 pages. He doesn't get into to much detail in desribing Kenya and its history like he usually does, but it's filled with the usual amusing travel stories.
Wow, that was short. Really short-50 pages. He doesn't get into to much detail in desribing Kenya and its history like he usually does, but it's filled with the usual amusing travel stories.
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Read in January, 2006
I gave this to someone I loved very much, who happened to love Bryson AND Africa, at the same time. It's a tiny book, but worth it, and Bryson showed me again he's not only ridiculously funny, but a solid citizen of the world, as any healthy traveller.
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This story was highly enjoyable...Bryson brings to the mix all the humor employed in his other works...I would've enjoyed it more if it had been longer, though I applaud the publishers for donating all proceeds to charity organizations in Africa...
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