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Sahara
Michael Palin's epic voyages have seen him circumnavigate the globe, travel from the North to the South Pole and circle the countries of the Pacific Ocean. This was perhaps the greatest challenge yet: to cross the vast and merciless Sahara desert.
Shrugging aside the perils of camel stew and being run over by the Paris-Dakar rally, he travels through some of the most specta
...more
Shrugging aside the perils of camel stew and being run over by the Paris-Dakar rally, he travels through some of the most specta
Hardcover, 256 pages
Published
2002
by Weidenfeld & Nicolson
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Aug 17, 2010
Sam
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
armchair travellers
Recommended to Sam by:
read other books by the same author
You probably would have guessed by now that I really enjoy reading Michael Palin’s travel books. That would be correct, I find them a delightful way to reminisce after watching the accompanying TV series as they give a lot more insight and background.
Did you know that Sahara was filmed in two parts? Or that 9/11 occurred while they were in the middle of the Sahara and didn’t see any footage for days? How many times did the crew get food poisoning?
You’ll find all this and more in Palin’s meticulo...more
Did you know that Sahara was filmed in two parts? Or that 9/11 occurred while they were in the middle of the Sahara and didn’t see any footage for days? How many times did the crew get food poisoning?
You’ll find all this and more in Palin’s meticulo...more
Michael Palin can't help to travel and so he does - through the Sahara this time. The book following it is typical Palin: a warm account of his travels, with little anecdotes about the baser aspects and observations of the changing world of the desert.
I loved the book, but while reading I found myself a little uneasy with the - if you want to call it that - lack of political realities (Lybia f.e.). I guess, it is not the aim of this book to be political, but the 'innocence' with which Palin reco...more
I loved the book, but while reading I found myself a little uneasy with the - if you want to call it that - lack of political realities (Lybia f.e.). I guess, it is not the aim of this book to be political, but the 'innocence' with which Palin reco...more
I found Sahara to be just a little disappointing around the edges. As always, I learned a tremendous amount about the countries through which Palin traveled and I enjoyed his wit. There was something missing in this one, though. It's as if Palin wasn't having a good time. I'm not sure if the conditions were more difficult than he anticipated or if he was overwhelmed by the poverty of those he met, but overall the book lacked the joie de vivre evident in his other travelogues. It's not bad by any...more
A delightful travel book by a very enthusiastic traveler. He even complains only minimally about some late night runs into the desert with a trowel, paper and matches following unfortunately upsetting camel stew. Palin is so very open to each new experience and appreciative of his opportunities that he easily carries along the reader. And from the security of my air conditioned home I can find his travels in 133 degree temps almost enticing. Well--almost. . On to palins next adventure.
Michael Palin's tour of the Sahara was a major one. Covering eight Saharan countries, as well as the disputed Western Sahara, Palin roasted in 140 degree weather, rode as part of a camel train, ate camel livers and lived to tell the tale, and was run over by the Paris-Dakar rally. Humorously told and interspersed with photographs by the brilliant Basil Pao; Palin's Sahara journey is always lively, with new sights, smells, tastes, and adventures around the next sand dune.
I have this idea that I want to go to Tunisia. It has a lot to do with Carthage and my fantasies about recapturing the past, a place in which my mind always seems to dwell. This book isn’t the ultimate travel guide by any means, but it combines my interest in traveling through northern Africa and my undying love of Michael Palin. If only he would be there to do that spectacular hoppity dance he did as the cured leper in Life of Brian, I’d be on a plane right now.
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This is a fine travel book. Palin gives you a sense of place, including some history, physical description and interaction with the locals. He wrote this tp accomplany a film he shot as he traveled around and through the Sahara. He begins at Gibralter and ends there, but hits about everything in between. I found myself online checking out more details about many of the fascinating places he stops at. A fun read all together.
Aug 02, 2011
Jo
added it
My dad's just been to Tunisia so this is why I read this book and so glad I did. I'm lucky enough to have the whole set of these photo illustrated editions - and I will be (re)reading them all! As usual, wittily written and full of 'wow' and 'well, I didn't know that' moments. Can't believe dad didn't go to where 'Life of Brian' was filmed - but he did ride a camel...
It really pains me not to give a Palin travelogue 5 stars, I just find this to be the weakest of an otherwise excellent lot. So the rating is more because Sahara suffers by comparison, buy the others first and save this one for last. Perhaps because in this travel Palin is a bit more confined in the range of personalities and cultures he meets? Still good stuff, but not great.
An interesting book. I had seen some of the episodes of the TV series some time ago. I do feel that I preferred the film to the book. Michael Palin's reactions to some of the peope he meets is quite fascinating. However, I really wish more had been said about how the people explained their own country to Michael Palin.
I really like everything Michael Palin did and/or wrote, but as this book is the only one I didn't see the documentary on TV, I thought at first it won't be that interesting as previous travel memoirs.
The title didn't appeal to me much, as I do not think there's much to say about Sahara... about any kind of desert. But this book actually isn't about desert - it is about people and countries doomed to habitate one of the cruelest environments in the world. And I was more than pleasantly surprised...more
The title didn't appeal to me much, as I do not think there's much to say about Sahara... about any kind of desert. But this book actually isn't about desert - it is about people and countries doomed to habitate one of the cruelest environments in the world. And I was more than pleasantly surprised...more
No one writes a better travel narrative than this former Monty Python member. This is the third of his series of 5 or 6 that I've read, and none of them have fallen short of my expectations.
The great travelling comedian brings us to the greatest desert region in the world and explores the land and its people in this exceptional companion to the documentary series.
I was a bit dissapointed by this legendary travel writer... He often seems more interested in drinking a beer at the end of the day than seeing the wonders of the world...
Not surprised to discover that Michael Palin's writing is funny, charming, and highly entertaining. Really enjoyed this book, I find Palin's voice very appealing.
Wooooooooooooooooooooooooow. Amazing writing and amazing experiences! Sometimes quite moving too, but there are also some parts you can't help smiling at. Totally awesome.
This guy sure gets around. He seems to be able to get right alongside of the people he visits. He puts himself in some trying situations. a good read.
This was an enjoyable read. He doesn't gloss over the hard parts of travel. I'd like to read more of his books....
2006:
Great, but a bit slow in parts, and not as funny as I (predictably and unfairly) hoped it would be.
Great, but a bit slow in parts, and not as funny as I (predictably and unfairly) hoped it would be.
I actually read this one, instead of watching the series. I found it most enjoyable!
Best reading while you are actually crossing the desert in East Morocco,lovely
Another romp with Michael Palin ,this time around the Sahara. Just as enjoyable as the others. You can tell that even during the lowest moments of the trip, he was enthusiastic.
Makes me want to visit the Sahara, home boys.
Slower pace but very enjoyable!
Aug 27, 2008
Ann Taylor
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
travel buffs who can recite the dead parrot skit from memory
Insist on reading the hard-cover version of all his books. The photography is spectacular. We've fallen in love with Michael (yes, the Monty Python Michael Palin) Palin's travel books. We're half-way through reading his "Himalaya" and have his DVD, "Pole To Pole" in our DVD player.
He writes with a self-effacing good humor, always willing to be the butt of the joke as he journeys along in his dapper Oxford and khakis and comfortable walking shoes.
Go here for more: http://www.palinstravels.co.uk/...more
He writes with a self-effacing good humor, always willing to be the butt of the joke as he journeys along in his dapper Oxford and khakis and comfortable walking shoes.
Go here for more: http://www.palinstravels.co.uk/...more
3.5
Almost as good as his travel series on PBS :)
My first book by this wonderful travel author. How has he eluded me for so long? Michael Palin is that perfect mix of an excellent observer of all that is discordant and wise and genuine combined with a fearless desire to visit places others fear to trod. Happy to have discovered this new-to-me author.
Too hard to listen to a book like this, you really need the pictures and video.
I generally love travel books and Palin has a good eye for taking a reader on trips with him. This book (so far) is a bit of a tough read. The adventures are engaging enough, but it all feels 'flat' somehow - like, perhaps, Palin was not always enjoying the ride. Pain's writing is warm with a familiar wit, and this really saves the book for me. While Sahara was not a knockout for me, I think I need to see the TV series now!
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Michael Edward Palin, CBE, is an English comedian, actor, writer and television presenter best known for being one of the members of the comedy group Monty Python and for his travel documentaries.
Palin wrote most of his material with Terry Jones. Before Monty Python, they had worked on other shows such as The Ken Dodd Show, The Frost Report and Do Not Adjust Your Set. Palin appeared in some of the...more
More about Michael Palin...
Palin wrote most of his material with Terry Jones. Before Monty Python, they had worked on other shows such as The Ken Dodd Show, The Frost Report and Do Not Adjust Your Set. Palin appeared in some of the...more
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