Lost City of the Kalahari

by Alan Paton

In 1956, seven amateur adventurers set off from Natal (South Africa) in a decrepit five-ton truck named "Kalahari Polka," on "the craziest expedition ever to enter the unknown." The goal was to make archaeological history by locating a mythical Lost City in a remote range of mountains deep in the Kalahari Desert. Included in the party was Alan Paton, acclaimed author of Cry, the Beloved Country, chairman of the newly-formed South African Liberal Party, and a leading political voice of his time. Lost City of the Kalahari is Paton's hitherto unpublished account of the odd adventure. Recounted with dry, self-deprecating wit and supplemented by hand-drawn maps, provisions lists, photographs, 8mm film stills, and other fascinating memorabilia from the period, this entertaining travelogue brings to life the quirky cast of characters, rough discomforts of the journey, tedium of unvarying landscape, vast desert vistas, and encounters with wild Bushmen and other Kalahari people. And through it all, emerges Paton's own deep love for the austere landscape that "one can never have too much of because it is like breathing."

60 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Alan Stewart Paton was a South African writer and anti-apartheid activist. His works include the novels Cry, the Beloved Country (1948), Too Late the Phalarope (1953), and the short story The Waste Land.

Reviews

[Tuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

funny little book about alan paton and 6 other whites going on an "expedition" to the kalahari, in modern day Botswana, looking for the remains of a city that an American "rancher" (named Farini, who also wrote a book) found in 1885, but failed to note where he found it. folks have been looking for it ever since. in 1956 paton was deeply into SA politics as head of the anti-racist liberal party. the political party was outlawed shortly thereafter, and many think paton went on this extended camping trip to get away from the pressure for a bit. this book produced by kwazulu-natal university and it is beautiful paper, sewn binding, great copy editing.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cool read. For Paton fans this is a glimpse into the man in a totally different setting. A fun bit of history for Kalahari lovers like myself.