Bibliograph

To Timbuktu for a haircut, a journey through West Africa, Rick Antonson ; foreword by Geoffrey Lipman

Type

Label

To Timbuktu for a haircut, a journey through West Africa, Rick Antonson ; foreword by Geoffrey Lipman

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references and index

Illustrations

illustrationsportraitsmaps

Index

no index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

To Timbuktu for a haircut

Oclc number

816030635

Responsibility statement

Rick Antonson ; foreword by Geoffrey Lipman

Sub title

a journey through West Africa

Summary

Timbuktu: the African city known to legend as a land of scholars, splendor and mystery, a golden age in the Sahara Desert. But to many it is a vaguely recognizable name - a flippant tag for "the most remote place on earth." With this fabled city as his goal, author Rick Antonson began a month-long trek. His initial plan? To get a haircut. Aided by an adventuresome spirit, Rick endures a forty-five hour train ride, a swindling travel agent, roads, rivers, and a flat deck ferry boat before finally reaching Timbuktu. Rick narrates the history of this elusive destination through the teachings of his Malian guide Zak, and encounters with stranded tourists, a camel owner, a riverboat captain, and the people who call Timbuktu home. Antonson's eloquence and quiet wit highlight the city's myths--the centuries old capital and traveler's dream--as well as its realities: A city gripped by poverty, where historic treasures lie close to the sands of destruction

Table Of Contents

Scarcely visited places -- The origin of myths -- The quest for Timbuktu -- From here to Timbuktu -- Among the Tuareg -- The forbidden city -- The strong brown god -- African lanterns -- A good night for West Africa -- Epilogue - A gentle harshness -- Afterword

Classification