Accurate, informative, well-written and thorough, 11 Dec 2008
Having used the Bradt guide to Tanzania a few years ago and found it infinitely superior to the Lonely Planet for that country, I was not at all surprised by the high standard of this book.

The author Philip Briggs is clearly passionate about Ethiopia -- memorably urging visitors to 'prepare to Ethiopiate' during their time there -- which helps. He balances amusing anecdotes about the potential hazards of travel (e.g. the bus ceremony (p.92) and 'Dust' (p. 132)) with the painstaking detail of the more mundane yet essential facts like the state of the showers in cheap hotels in Wukro.

Briggs is authoritative* throughout and I never once felt that he had cut any corners during the three weeks I spent relying upon it. Thoroughly recommended.

*The one exception was that the book didn't quite prepare my friend and I for the abysmal state of many of the major roads. The worst example was the principal trunk road from Dessie in the north to Addis which was appalling, largely unpaved and rock-strewn. There are Chinese contractors currently in the process of asphalting most of it but the project seemed a good few years away from completion (and the bus journey that the book said would take eight hours took nearly 14 as a result!)

Top guidebook, 15 Sep 2006
I've never come across such a brilliant guidebook as this for any country I've been to. Not only is it highly informative, dependable and up to date, as you would expect, but it is also very readable. Mr Briggs' writing style demonstrates a real affection for the country which you will hopefully share by the end of your stay. We certainly did.

Accurate, informative, well-written and thorough, 11 Dec 2008
Having used the Bradt guide to Tanzania a few years ago and found it infinitely superior to the Lonely Planet for that country, I was not at all surprised by the high standard of this book.

The author Philip Briggs is clearly passionate about Ethiopia -- memorably urging visitors to 'prepare to Ethiopiate' during their time there -- which helps. He balances amusing anecdotes about the potential hazards of travel (e.g. the bus ceremony (p.92) and 'Dust' (p. 132)) with the painstaking detail of the more mundane yet essential facts like the state of the showers in cheap hotels in Wukro.

Briggs is authoritative* throughout and I never once felt that he had cut any corners during the three weeks I spent relying upon it. Thoroughly recommended.

*The one exception was that the book didn't quite prepare my friend and I for the abysmal state of many of the major roads. The worst example was the principal trunk road from Dessie in the north to Addis which was appalling, largely unpaved and rock-strewn. There are Chinese contractors currently in the process of asphalting most of it but the project seemed a good few years away from completion (and the bus journey that the book said would take eight hours took nearly 14 as a result!)

Top guidebook, 15 Sep 2006
I've never come across such a brilliant guidebook as this for any country I've been to. Not only is it highly informative, dependable and up to date, as you would expect, but it is also very readable. Mr Briggs' writing style demonstrates a real affection for the country which you will hopefully share by the end of your stay. We certainly did.

a lyrical treat, 06 May 2007
I read this on the strength of Marsden's other book: "The Crossing Place", he seems to have a knack for writing books about countries I'm slightly obsessed with. I hate to get bogged down in cliches but this is another modern classic. Within any travel book there needs to be a sound motivation for the journey, without this central motivation it often seems like somebody is just writing a book for money, or doing something to please a publisher. All my cynicism was left behind as I followed Marsden and his numerous guides through both the difficult topography and turbulent history of Ethiopia. I recommend this book to casual readers in search of some escape or serious students of history and theology. The strong point of the book is that he undertakes the journey on foot so we get highly lyrical descriptions, written from someone who has had alot of time to compose their thoughts and take in surroundings.
There has been little written about Ethiopia and it is still tarred with images from news footage of famines. Marsden offers us a new reflection on a truly unique place, unique in culture, customs and in it's general isolation from the West and the rest. If you intend on learning more about this quirky corner of Africa I recommend reading both "The Emperor" and "The Pale Abyssinian".

Get into the heart of Ethiopia, 19 Apr 2006
Philip Marsden returns to Ethiopia in 2003, having been entranced by the country during a short visit in 1982. This time he hires a guide and a succession of mules to walk across the north. He explores churches, meets a variety of monks and discusses Ethiopian history. You have to admire his courage and persistence as he sweats and climbs with his mules through the mountains - why doesn't he catch a bus? But he makes it all the way to his final destination without a vehicle, and gives a real insight into the country. In the beginning he writes "if there is any purpose to our time on earth, it is to understand it...to celebrate its heroes and its wonders - in short, to witness it". Witness it he does. Through his book I've gained an understanding of Ethiopia. And now I'd love to go there. What greater vindication of the success of a travel book could you want?

A Triumph!, 26 Feb 2006
Philip Marsden is without doubt the most important and erudite writer concerned with Africa today. This book will change the way you think.

Accurate, informative, well-written and thorough, 11 Dec 2008
Having used the Bradt guide to Tanzania a few years ago and found it infinitely superior to the Lonely Planet for that country, I was not at all surprised by the high standard of this book.

The author Philip Briggs is clearly passionate about Ethiopia -- memorably urging visitors to 'prepare to Ethiopiate' during their time there -- which helps. He balances amusing anecdotes about the potential hazards of travel (e.g. the bus ceremony (p.92) and 'Dust' (p. 132)) with the painstaking detail of the more mundane yet essential facts like the state of the showers in cheap hotels in Wukro.

Briggs is authoritative* throughout and I never once felt that he had cut any corners during the three weeks I spent relying upon it. Thoroughly recommended.

*The one exception was that the book didn't quite prepare my friend and I for the abysmal state of many of the major roads. The worst example was the principal trunk road from Dessie in the north to Addis which was appalling, largely unpaved and rock-strewn. There are Chinese contractors currently in the process of asphalting most of it but the project seemed a good few years away from completion (and the bus journey that the book said would take eight hours took nearly 14 as a result!)

Top guidebook, 15 Sep 2006
I've never come across such a brilliant guidebook as this for any country I've been to. Not only is it highly informative, dependable and up to date, as you would expect, but it is also very readable. Mr Briggs' writing style demonstrates a real affection for the country which you will hopefully share by the end of your stay. We certainly did.

a lyrical treat, 06 May 2007
I read this on the strength of Marsden's other book: "The Crossing Place", he seems to have a knack for writing books about countries I'm slightly obsessed with. I hate to get bogged down in cliches but this is another modern classic. Within any travel book there needs to be a sound motivation for the journey, without this central motivation it often seems like somebody is just writing a book for money, or doing something to please a publisher. All my cynicism was left behind as I followed Marsden and his numerous guides through both the difficult topography and turbulent history of Ethiopia. I recommend this book to casual readers in search of some escape or serious students of history and theology. The strong point of the book is that he undertakes the journey on foot so we get highly lyrical descriptions, written from someone who has had alot of time to compose their thoughts and take in surroundings.
There has been little written about Ethiopia and it is still tarred with images from news footage of famines. Marsden offers us a new reflection on a truly unique place, unique in culture, customs and in it's general isolation from the West and the rest. If you intend on learning more about this quirky corner of Africa I recommend reading both "The Emperor" and "The Pale Abyssinian".

Get into the heart of Ethiopia, 19 Apr 2006
Philip Marsden returns to Ethiopia in 2003, having been entranced by the country during a short visit in 1982. This time he hires a guide and a succession of mules to walk across the north. He explores churches, meets a variety of monks and discusses Ethiopian history. You have to admire his courage and persistence as he sweats and climbs with his mules through the mountains - why doesn't he catch a bus? But he makes it all the way to his final destination without a vehicle, and gives a real insight into the country. In the beginning he writes "if there is any purpose to our time on earth, it is to understand it...to celebrate its heroes and its wonders - in short, to witness it". Witness it he does. Through his book I've gained an understanding of Ethiopia. And now I'd love to go there. What greater vindication of the success of a travel book could you want?

A Triumph!, 26 Feb 2006
Philip Marsden is without doubt the most important and erudite writer concerned with Africa today. This book will change the way you think.

Avoid, 02 Nov 2008
Pants. Avoid unless you are specifically going to both countries and cant bear to carry two books.

Fairly good info for Ethiopia's historical circuit but even there the writing style is appalling and gushy with far too many completely!! innapropriate!!! exclamation marks!!!!

Is also now quite outdated - factor prices up by X2 and features several hotels which no longer exist and restaurants which have gone markedly downhill.

The book really falls down on its claims to inform about Dijibouti and Eritrea however, which are cursory and just feel as if they have been tacked on in a cynical attempt to tap a market.

The chapter on Asmara, capital of Eritrea, is particularly bad. In one of the most architecturally extaordinary cities on earth, the notes have clearly been cribbed from another book with zero understanding or appreciation for their subject matter.

And, as i discovered to my cost, the airport is not ten minutes from the nearest bus service - its half an hour with a heavy back pack in pitch darkness. Thanks boys!

Buy the Bradt Guide: it's much better, 15 Sep 2006
This book's a reasonable guide, but is eclipsed by the brilliantly written and hugely informative Bradt Guide. We took both books to Ethiopia (09/2006) and found the Bradt one to be far superior.

Fine and Dandy, 22 Nov 2004
I used this guidebook for Eritrea. The walking tours in Asmara are a must and an excellent feature. The information is good the only drawback is that there aren't any maps for the smaller towns. That is where Bradt has the advantage. However Eritreans are charming so asking the way is a pleasure.

Excellent guide book, 10 Jun 2004
I spent a month in Ethiopia (March 2004) and found this book to be both accurate and informative. I would recommend it to everybody. Ethiopia is a most fascinating country and definitely worth a visit. This book provides all the information to take away the worries and hassles and makes you really enjoy your holiday.

Geat book - shame about the cover, 11 Jan 2004
I travelled in Ethiopia between 19/12/03 and 4/1/04 - just after this new edition came out. The cover is boring and so un-Ethiopia but the content was very accurate and uptodate.

Some good "legends" and local stories. Recommend that if going to Ethiopia you also get hold of a copy of Graham Hancock's "Lords of poverty" - easilt attainablein Addis Abba -even if you can't get it on Amazon !

Accurate, informative, well-written and thorough, 11 Dec 2008
Having used the Bradt guide to Tanzania a few years ago and found it infinitely superior to the Lonely Planet for that country, I was not at all surprised by the high standard of this book.

The author Philip Briggs is clearly passionate about Ethiopia -- memorably urging visitors to 'prepare to Ethiopiate' during their time there -- which helps. He balances amusing anecdotes about the potential hazards of travel (e.g. the bus ceremony (p.92) and 'Dust' (p. 132)) with the painstaking detail of the more mundane yet essential facts like the state of the showers in cheap hotels in Wukro.

Briggs is authoritative* throughout and I never once felt that he had cut any corners during the three weeks I spent relying upon it. Thoroughly recommended.

*The one exception was that the book didn't quite prepare my friend and I for the abysmal state of many of the major roads. The worst example was the principal trunk road from Dessie in the north to Addis which was appalling, largely unpaved and rock-strewn. There are Chinese contractors currently in the process of asphalting most of it but the project seemed a good few years away from completion (and the bus journey that the book said would take eight hours took nearly 14 as a result!)

Top guidebook, 15 Sep 2006
I've never come across such a brilliant guidebook as this for any country I've been to. Not only is it highly informative, dependable and up to date, as you would expect, but it is also very readable. Mr Briggs' writing style demonstrates a real affection for the country which you will hopefully share by the end of your stay. We certainly did.

a lyrical treat, 06 May 2007
I read this on the strength of Marsden's other book: "The Crossing Place", he seems to have a knack for writing books about countries I'm slightly obsessed with. I hate to get bogged down in cliches but this is another modern classic. Within any travel book there needs to be a sound motivation for the journey, without this central motivation it often seems like somebody is just writing a book for money, or doing something to please a publisher. All my cynicism was left behind as I followed Marsden and his numerous guides through both the difficult topography and turbulent history of Ethiopia. I recommend this book to casual readers in search of some escape or serious students of history and theology. The strong point of the book is that he undertakes the journey on foot so we get highly lyrical descriptions, written from someone who has had alot of time to compose their thoughts and take in surroundings.
There has been little written about Ethiopia and it is still tarred with images from news footage of famines. Marsden offers us a new reflection on a truly unique place, unique in culture, customs and in it's general isolation from the West and the rest. If you intend on learning more about this quirky corner of Africa I recommend reading both "The Emperor" and "The Pale Abyssinian".

Get into the heart of Ethiopia, 19 Apr 2006
Philip Marsden returns to Ethiopia in 2003, having been entranced by the country during a short visit in 1982. This time he hires a guide and a succession of mules to walk across the north. He explores churches, meets a variety of monks and discusses Ethiopian history. You have to admire his courage and persistence as he sweats and climbs with his mules through the mountains - why doesn't he catch a bus? But he makes it all the way to his final destination without a vehicle, and gives a real insight into the country. In the beginning he writes "if there is any purpose to our time on earth, it is to understand it...to celebrate its heroes and its wonders - in short, to witness it". Witness it he does. Through his book I've gained an understanding of Ethiopia. And now I'd love to go there. What greater vindication of the success of a travel book could you want?

A Triumph!, 26 Feb 2006
Philip Marsden is without doubt the most important and erudite writer concerned with Africa today. This book will change the way you think.

Avoid, 02 Nov 2008
Pants. Avoid unless you are specifically going to both countries and cant bear to carry two books.

Fairly good info for Ethiopia's historical circuit but even there the writing style is appalling and gushy with far too many completely!! innapropriate!!! exclamation marks!!!!

Is also now quite outdated - factor prices up by X2 and features several hotels which no longer exist and restaurants which have gone markedly downhill.

The book really falls down on its claims to inform about Dijibouti and Eritrea however, which are cursory and just feel as if they have been tacked on in a cynical attempt to tap a market.

The chapter on Asmara, capital of Eritrea, is particularly bad. In one of the most architecturally extaordinary cities on earth, the notes have clearly been cribbed from another book with zero understanding or appreciation for their subject matter.

And, as i discovered to my cost, the airport is not ten minutes from the nearest bus service - its half an hour with a heavy back pack in pitch darkness. Thanks boys!

Buy the Bradt Guide: it's much better, 15 Sep 2006
This book's a reasonable guide, but is eclipsed by the brilliantly written and hugely informative Bradt Guide. We took both books to Ethiopia (09/2006) and found the Bradt one to be far superior.

Fine and Dandy, 22 Nov 2004
I used this guidebook for Eritrea. The walking tours in Asmara are a must and an excellent feature. The information is good the only drawback is that there aren't any maps for the smaller towns. That is where Bradt has the advantage. However Eritreans are charming so asking the way is a pleasure.

Excellent guide book, 10 Jun 2004
I spent a month in Ethiopia (March 2004) and found this book to be both accurate and informative. I would recommend it to everybody. Ethiopia is a most fascinating country and definitely worth a visit. This book provides all the information to take away the worries and hassles and makes you really enjoy your holiday.

Geat book - shame about the cover, 11 Jan 2004
I travelled in Ethiopia between 19/12/03 and 4/1/04 - just after this new edition came out. The cover is boring and so un-Ethiopia but the content was very accurate and uptodate.

Some good "legends" and local stories. Recommend that if going to Ethiopia you also get hold of a copy of Graham Hancock's "Lords of poverty" - easilt attainablein Addis Abba -even if you can't get it on Amazon !

Interesting...but mixes and matches facts and dates, 21 May 2005
I bought this book to give me a taste of Ethiopia before going out to visit some friends.

Now I am not doubting for a minute that the author actually went there and that most of the characters are based on fact. But in other places, Shah seems to mix and match dates to enhance his story a bit.

Take the very first chapter as an example, where Shah is in Jerusalem to buy the map that leads him on the search King Solomon's mines. He talks about being in the Church of the Holy Sepulchure and bullets ricocheting off the walls while he was in the compound talking to Russian tourists. Knowing a little bit about the Middle East I was a bit suspicious as I had not heard of fighting between Israelis and Palestinians around the church, and an Internet search didn't throw up any evidence of it.

Once he is in Ethiopia there are a few more eye brow raising sections. For example he talks about attempts to bury the late emperor Haile Selassie...except that Selassie was buried in 2000 and the book was almost certainly written afterwards.

Shah captures the flavour of Ethiopia and Ethiopian culture well, but after coming across the examples above, I did start to doubt some of the other things he talked about. For instance, did he really rent the ex Emperor's jeep? And the story of the bus crash involving the Dutch tourists outside the town of Lalibela seemed a bit extreme.

Call me old fashioned, but I do prefer travelogues to be about things that the author actually experienced, without the need for it to be spiced up.

In Search Of King Solomon's Mines, 08 May 2005
I will not go into the detail of the other reviews, but more state my feelings on the book. Its truely left me with the urge to travel more, a cousin purchased me the title and after doing a school exchange to Ethiopia in October 2004 (www.gondarlink.org.uk) I can relate to Shar's travels, I even stayed in the same hotels as he did in Gondar and 'Bar-Dar' as we called it, i was dubious though, the hotel Ghion he mentions to have stayed in in Addis from my knowledge was actually situated on top of the hill in Gondar (we visited for a meal when a friend was 18 while we were out there).
The author does though capture the mentality of ethiopians, the fact that there not all live aid victims, I found nearly all the population to be very cheerful and welcoming as Tahir illustrates. A very good book for anyone who has/will be travelling to Ethiopia, or even just interested in Solomons mines, Tahir definately manages to attatch a comedy factor to his tales. I personally cannot wait to read more of his books or books from similar authors, Frank Hayter sounds a true character. Happy Reading

if u like travel boos its a must by, 06 Jul 2004
The book I have chosen to review is a non fiction called 'In Search of King Solomon's Mines', it is written by Tahir Shah.

The book I think is about two thing s , First is obviously Shahs desire and passion to find King Solomon's mines and second is to help people understand what it is like to live in poverty in a 3rd world country.
The book starts in Jerusalem where he buys a treasure map from Ali Babas bazaar. From here he travels to Ethiopia and hires Samson, a guide who soon becomes a friend ,Samson is also a very religious taxi driver, who is sometimes reluctant to do what Shah wants but is soon persuaded when he is offered more money. He stays faithful to Shah throughout the book whatever happens. Together they set out and visit various destinations along the way in some ways the book is a collection of short stories.
At their first stop they encounter many different and strange people including the hyena man who feeds the hyenas at night to stop them taking the children form the town but he describes the people very well and makes you begin to like and respect them whilst making jokes to keep the reader amused. From here they travel to one of the many illegal gold mines in Ethiopia were he sees some horrific things, that sometimes just make you think how lucky you are. He witnesses a young boy go into a tunnel and not come out as it collapses and the small boy is suffocated to death these incidents also make you stop and think about how some people live. I think the stories he tells in the book balance each other out, there are incidents that make you laugh and incidents that make your heart miss a beat because they are so awful.
The various characters he meets are also described in a way that makes you respect them or take a dislike to, one example is the prostitutes he meets for some reason you cannot dislike them because you understand that that is what they have to do to live. Whereas the police make you feel the total opposite and you feel no respect for them it is a sort of reversal of roles.
One thing throughout the book that everyone he meets asks him is 'How do I get to America'? Or have you been to America'? Everyone seems to think America will solve their problems and will make them rich which is what they think will bring them happiness
Throughout the book you are aware of Shah's feeling towards what he is doing and his feelings towards the people he is with, you feel he respects them. You also pick up that he is good at telling what people think of him. When Samson and him get arrested he can tell that Samson doubts him and obviously thinks he is a lunatic but he understands why Samson thinks this and does not really blame him. Tahir Shah even thinks himself to be a bit mad and sometimes does crazy things but for some reason you never get annoyed with him and nor do his companions in the book.
His final destination is Tullu Wallel where he believes he has found King Solomon's Mines. He builds up the suspense and makes you believe he has found the mines, before he actually tells you he does this by describing a sunny day and walking thought the fields. Eventually Shah finds his way to where he thinks the mines are. He goes into the tunnel and is very excited after all his effort and hard work but the tunnel is a dead end. He fails and returns home very unhappy. He tried again to find the mines but failed again. In the book he is depressed he doesn't find the mines but later he comes to realise that it is the journey and what you learn from it that matters , not the final goal He is now going to Afghanistan to try and find King Ahmed Shahs Gold

Romantic Exploreration in the Modern World, 12 Mar 2004
Although Shah starts his book in old Jerusalem, where he purchases a dubious treasure map off the wall of an even more dubious shop named Ali Baba's Bazaar, this is actually an excellent travel book about modern Ethiopia. Apparently Shah's grandfather and father both harbored obsessions about locating the source of the gold King Solomon used for his great temple in Jerusalem. This obsession was passed down to the intrepid Tahir, who embarks on his own quest to find the ancient gold mines. Shah is not hoping to cash in (he swears an oath not to harvest gold), rather, the trip is another of his retro-adventures (cf. The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Trail of Feathers) in the style of Victorian-era explorer/romantic adventurers like Richard Burton.

According to the ancient sources, Solomon's gold was brought to him by the Queen of Sheba from the land of Ophir. Shah briefly outlines a geographical and etymological case for Ophir being located in present day Ethiopia, and organizes himself to visit this country largely known in the West for its poverty and famines. Armed with a trunk of books and articles (and far too much equipment), he arrives and promptly hires his taxi driver Samson to be interpreter, guide, and all around fixer. Samson is an extremely devout Christian and a reluctant guide throughout the trip, but the money is a boon to his precarious existence. Together, they set out by train and bus to visit a a series of potential locations Tahir has marked out. After a great deal of hardship in getting to the first site, they return to Addis Ababa and hire a driver-even though Ethiopian roads sound as bad as any I've read about. This is Bahra, a qat-addicted Somali cardsharp who likes to break up the tedium with deliberate roadkill. One of my favorite moments in the book is when, near the end of the journey, he simply stops in the middle of nowhere and declares that his luck has run out and he won't drive any more.

What emerges from Shah's trip is a land far more naturally varied and lush than the typical perception of Ethiopia-though desperately poor. Although there are numerous places where gold is so near the surface that impromptu (and illegal) mining communities spring up to pan for gold and dig tiny tunnels to extract it, the avenues for selling it are such that wealth-as in much of the third world-is highly concentrated at the top. The depiction of one such camp, where even the suspicion that one has found a nugget of gold and swallowed can result in your throat getting slit and your entrails opened up for inspection, is terrifying. Of course, the only thing more desirable than gold is getting to America, and at one point Shah is called upon to give a seminar to several hundred miners on the best way to cross the American border.

Although the focus is obviously on the gold, Shah always has his eyes open for a good story. He visits ancient churches hewn from the rock, hangs out with a "hyena" man whose designated task is to feed hyenas at night so they don't steal children from the town (hyenas are said to be the guardians of Solomon's secret mines), consults with the guru of a Rastafarian sect, travels across desert with a salt caravan, debunks a traveling miracle worker, and sit in many a seedy roadside bar with the ubiquitous prostitutes. Shah details everything with crisp writing and many a well-turned phrase (one of my favorites is "To most Ethiopians, the idea of a hotel without prostitutes is a bad joke.") that act as nice counterpoints to the hardship and struggle he witnesses. The book is bound together with a spirit of adventure rare in modern travel books, and despite a rather rushed and unsatisfactory end, is valuable reading for anyone interested in modern Africa.

"A journey is of no merit unless it has tested you.", 04 Sep 2003
Armed with books and papers he acquired in preparation for his trip, and a "treasure map" he purchased in Jerusalem, Tahir Shah sets out in search of King Solomon’s legendary gold mines. King Solomon built a lavishly appointed temple in Jerusalem three thousand years ago, using gold which the Queen of Sheba supposedly brought from Ophir, an unknown land. Various researchers claim that Ophir was in Zimbabwe, South Africa, or even Haiti or Peru.

A sacred Ethiopian text claims that the son of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon is the ancestor of the Ethiopian emperors, and since Ethiopia’s gold is also one of its richest resources, Shah accepts the idea that the legendary Ophir was probably in Ethiopia. Hiring a guide and translator, he begins his search, checking out mines where gold is so close to the surface that men, women, and children dig for it with their hands. Always, Shah seeks some connection to Ophir.

The author keeps the reader constantly intrigued with the fascinating characters he meets during his many side trips: Yusuf, the hyenaman, who handfeeds wild hyenas each night; a "miracle man," who performs four miracles; and Kefla Mohammed, leader of a salt caravan. Shah also includes wonderfully revealing photographs of these people and the artifacts he finds.

Occasionally, Shah, a member of Afghan royalty, betrays an insensitivity toward the people around him. He does not give his devoted interpreter a "sick day," he does not always share his supplies and equipment, and he offers no assistance at the site of a terrible road accident. His unflagging sense of adventure is admirable, however, and he brings fascinating and unique Ethiopian cultures and people to the attention of readers who would not otherwise be exposed to them. Mary Whipple

Accurate, informative, well-written and thorough, 11 Dec 2008
Having used the Bradt guide to Tanzania a few years ago and found it infinitely superior to the Lonely Planet for that country, I was not at all surprised by the high standard of this book.

The author Philip Briggs is clearly passionate about Ethiopia -- memorably urging visitors to 'prepare to Ethiopiate' during their time there -- which helps. He balances amusing anecdotes about the potential hazards of travel (e.g. the bus ceremony (p.92) and 'Dust' (p. 132)) with the painstaking detail of the more mundane yet essential facts like the state of the showers in cheap hotels in Wukro.

Briggs is authoritative* throughout and I never once felt that he had cut any corners during the three weeks I spent relying upon it. Thoroughly recommended.

*The one exception was that the book didn't quite prepare my friend and I for the abysmal state of many of the major roads. The worst example was the principal trunk road from Dessie in the north to Addis which was appalling, largely unpaved and rock-strewn. There are Chinese contractors currently in the process of asphalting most of it but the project seemed a good few years away from completion (and the bus journey that the book said would take eight hours took nearly 14 as a result!)

Top guidebook, 15 Sep 2006
I've never come across such a brilliant guidebook as this for any country I've been to. Not only is it highly informative, dependable and up to date, as you would expect, but it is also very readable. Mr Briggs' writing style demonstrates a real affection for the country which you will hopefully share by the end of your stay. We certainly did.

a lyrical treat, 06 May 2007
I read this on the strength of Marsden's other book: "The Crossing Place", he seems to have a knack for writing books about countries I'm slightly obsessed with. I hate to get bogged down in cliches but this is another modern classic. Within any travel book there needs to be a sound motivation for the journey, without this central motivation it often seems like somebody is just writing a book for money, or doing something to please a publisher. All my cynicism was left behind as I followed Marsden and his numerous guides through both the difficult topography and turbulent history of Ethiopia. I recommend this book to casual readers in search of some escape or serious students of history and theology. The strong point of the book is that he undertakes the journey on foot so we get highly lyrical descriptions, written from someone who has had alot of time to compose their thoughts and take in surroundings.
There has been little written about Ethiopia and it is still tarred with images from news footage of famines. Marsden offers us a new reflection on a truly unique place, unique in culture, customs and in it's general isolation from the West and the rest. If you intend on learning more about this quirky corner of Africa I recommend reading both "The Emperor" and "The Pale Abyssinian".

Get into the heart of Ethiopia, 19 Apr 2006
Philip Marsden returns to Ethiopia in 2003, having been entranced by the country during a short visit in 1982. This time he hires a guide and a succession of mules to walk across the north. He explores churches, meets a variety of monks and discusses Ethiopian history. You have to admire his courage and persistence as he sweats and climbs with his mules through the mountains - why doesn't he catch a bus? But he makes it all the way to his final destination without a vehicle, and gives a real insight into the country. In the beginning he writes "if there is any purpose to our time on earth, it is to understand it...to celebrate its heroes and its wonders - in short, to witness it". Witness it he does. Through his book I've gained an understanding of Ethiopia. And now I'd love to go there. What greater vindication of the success of a travel book could you want?

A Triumph!, 26 Feb 2006
Philip Marsden is without doubt the most important and erudite writer concerned with Africa today. This book will change the way you think.

Avoid, 02 Nov 2008
Pants. Avoid unless you are specifically going to both countries and cant bear to carry two books.

Fairly good info for Ethiopia's historical circuit but even there the writing style is appalling and gushy with far too many completely!! innapropriate!!! exclamation marks!!!!

Is also now quite outdated - factor prices up by X2 and features several hotels which no longer exist and restaurants which have gone markedly downhill.

The book really falls down on its claims to inform about Dijibouti and Eritrea however, which are cursory and just feel as if they have been tacked on in a cynical attempt to tap a market.

The chapter on Asmara, capital of Eritrea, is particularly bad. In one of the most architecturally extaordinary cities on earth, the notes have clearly been cribbed from another book with zero understanding or appreciation for their subject matter.

And, as i discovered to my cost, the airport is not ten minutes from the nearest bus service - its half an hour with a heavy back pack in pitch darkness. Thanks boys!

Buy the Bradt Guide: it's much better, 15 Sep 2006
This book's a reasonable guide, but is eclipsed by the brilliantly written and hugely informative Bradt Guide. We took both books to Ethiopia (09/2006) and found the Bradt one to be far superior.

Fine and Dandy, 22 Nov 2004
I used this guidebook for Eritrea. The walking tours in Asmara are a must and an excellent feature. The information is good the only drawback is that there aren't any maps for the smaller towns. That is where Bradt has the advantage. However Eritreans are charming so asking the way is a pleasure.

Excellent guide book, 10 Jun 2004
I spent a month in Ethiopia (March 2004) and found this book to be both accurate and informative. I would recommend it to everybody. Ethiopia is a most fascinating country and definitely worth a visit. This book provides all the information to take away the worries and hassles and makes you really enjoy your holiday.

Geat book - shame about the cover, 11 Jan 2004
I travelled in Ethiopia between 19/12/03 and 4/1/04 - just after this new edition came out. The cover is boring and so un-Ethiopia but the content was very accurate and uptodate.

Some good "legends" and local stories. Recommend that if going to Ethiopia you also get hold of a copy of Graham Hancock's "Lords of poverty" - easilt attainablein Addis Abba -even if you can't get it on Amazon !

Interesting...but mixes and matches facts and dates, 21 May 2005
I bought this book to give me a taste of Ethiopia before going out to visit some friends.

Now I am not doubting for a minute that the author actually went there and that most of the characters are based on fact. But in other places, Shah seems to mix and match dates to enhance his story a bit.

Take the very first chapter as an example, where Shah is in Jerusalem to buy the map that leads him on the search King Solomon's mines. He talks about being in the Church of the Holy Sepulchure and bullets ricocheting off the walls while he was in the compound talking to Russian tourists. Knowing a little bit about the Middle East I was a bit suspicious as I had not heard of fighting between Israelis and Palestinians around the church, and an Internet search didn't throw up any evidence of it.

Once he is in Ethiopia there are a few more eye brow raising sections. For example he talks about attempts to bury the late emperor Haile Selassie...except that Selassie was buried in 2000 and the book was almost certainly written afterwards.

Shah captures the flavour of Ethiopia and Ethiopian culture well, but after coming across the examples above, I did start to doubt some of the other things he talked about. For instance, did he really rent the ex Emperor's jeep? And the story of the bus crash involving the Dutch tourists outside the town of Lalibela seemed a bit extreme.

Call me old fashioned, but I do prefer travelogues to be about things that the author actually experienced, without the need for it to be spiced up.

In Search Of King Solomon's Mines, 08 May 2005
I will not go into the detail of the other reviews, but more state my feelings on the book. Its truely left me with the urge to travel more, a cousin purchased me the title and after doing a school exchange to Ethiopia in October 2004 (www.gondarlink.org.uk) I can relate to Shar's travels, I even stayed in the same hotels as he did in Gondar and 'Bar-Dar' as we called it, i was dubious though, the hotel Ghion he mentions to have stayed in in Addis from my knowledge was actually situated on top of the hill in Gondar (we visited for a meal when a friend was 18 while we were out there).
The author does though capture the mentality of ethiopians, the fact that there not all live aid victims, I found nearly all the population to be very cheerful and welcoming as Tahir illustrates. A very good book for anyone who has/will be travelling to Ethiopia, or even just interested in Solomons mines, Tahir definately manages to attatch a comedy factor to his tales. I personally cannot wait to read more of his books or books from similar authors, Frank Hayter sounds a true character. Happy Reading

if u like travel boos its a must by, 06 Jul 2004
The book I have chosen to review is a non fiction called 'In Search of King Solomon's Mines', it is written by Tahir Shah.

The book I think is about two thing s , First is obviously Shahs desire and passion to find King Solomon's mines and second is to help people understand what it is like to live in poverty in a 3rd world country.
The book starts in Jerusalem where he buys a treasure map from Ali Babas bazaar. From here he travels to Ethiopia and hires Samson, a guide who soon becomes a friend ,Samson is also a very religious taxi driver, who is sometimes reluctant to do what Shah wants but is soon persuaded when he is offered more money. He stays faithful to Shah throughout the book whatever happens. Together they set out and visit various destinations along the way in some ways the book is a collection of short stories.
At their first stop they encounter many different and strange people including the hyena man who feeds the hyenas at night to stop them taking the children form the town but he describes the people very well and makes you begin to like and respect them whilst making jokes to keep the reader amused. From here they travel to one of the many illegal gold mines in Ethiopia were he sees some horrific things, that sometimes just make you think how lucky you are. He witnesses a young boy go into a tunnel and not come out as it collapses and the small boy is suffocated to death these incidents also make you stop and think about how some people live. I think the stories he tells in the book balance each other out, there are incidents that make you laugh and incidents that make your heart miss a beat because they are so awful.
The various characters he meets are also described in a way that makes you respect them or take a dislike to, one example is the prostitutes he meets for some reason you cannot dislike them because you understand that that is what they have to do to live. Whereas the police make you feel the total opposite and you feel no respect for them it is a sort of reversal of roles.
One thing throughout the book that everyone he meets asks him is 'How do I get to America'? Or have you been to America'? Everyone seems to think America will solve their problems and will make them rich which is what they think will bring them happiness
Throughout the book you are aware of Shah's feeling towards what he is doing and his feelings towards the people he is with, you feel he respects them. You also pick up that he is good at telling what people think of him. When Samson and him get arrested he can tell that Samson doubts him and obviously thinks he is a lunatic but he understands why Samson thinks this and does not really blame him. Tahir Shah even thinks himself to be a bit mad and sometimes does crazy things but for some reason you never get annoyed with him and nor do his companions in the book.
His final destination is Tullu Wallel where he believes he has found King Solomon's Mines. He builds up the suspense and makes you believe he has found the mines, before he actually tells you he does this by describing a sunny day and walking thought the fields. Eventually Shah finds his way to where he thinks the mines are. He goes into the tunnel and is very excited after all his effort and hard work but the tunnel is a dead end. He fails and returns home very unhappy. He tried again to find the mines but failed again. In the book he is depressed he doesn't find the mines but later he comes to realise that it is the journey and what you learn from it that matters , not the final goal He is now going to Afghanistan to try and find King Ahmed Shahs Gold

Romantic Exploreration in the Modern World, 12 Mar 2004
Although Shah starts his book in old Jerusalem, where he purchases a dubious treasure map off the wall of an even more dubious shop named Ali Baba's Bazaar, this is actually an excellent travel book about modern Ethiopia. Apparently Shah's grandfather and father both harbored obsessions about locating the source of the gold King Solomon used for his great temple in Jerusalem. This obsession was passed down to the intrepid Tahir, who embarks on his own quest to find the ancient gold mines. Shah is not hoping to cash in (he swears an oath not to harvest gold), rather, the trip is another of his retro-adventures (cf. The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Trail of Feathers) in the style of Victorian-era explorer/romantic adventurers like Richard Burton.

According to the ancient sources, Solomon's gold was brought to him by the Queen of Sheba from the land of Ophir. Shah briefly outlines a geographical and etymological case for Ophir being located in present day Ethiopia, and organizes himself to visit this country largely known in the West for its poverty and famines. Armed with a trunk of books and articles (and far too much equipment), he arrives and promptly hires his taxi driver Samson to be interpreter, guide, and all around fixer. Samson is an extremely devout Christian and a reluctant guide throughout the trip, but the money is a boon to his precarious existence. Together, they set out by train and bus to visit a a series of potential locations Tahir has marked out. After a great deal of hardship in getting to the first site, they return to Addis Ababa and hire a driver-even though Ethiopian roads sound as bad as any I've read about. This is Bahra, a qat-addicted Somali cardsharp who likes to break up the tedium with deliberate roadkill. One of my favorite moments in the book is when, near the end of the journey, he simply stops in the middle of nowhere and declares that his luck has run out and he won't drive any more.

What emerges from Shah's trip is a land far more naturally varied and lush than the typical perception of Ethiopia-though desperately poor. Although there are numerous places where gold is so near the surface that impromptu (and illegal) mining communities spring up to pan for gold and dig tiny tunnels to extract it, the avenues for selling it are such that wealth-as in much of the third world-is highly concentrated at the top. The depiction of one such camp, where even the suspicion that one has found a nugget of gold and swallowed can result in your throat getting slit and your entrails opened up for inspection, is terrifying. Of course, the only thing more desirable than gold is getting to America, and at one point Shah is called upon to give a seminar to several hundred miners on the best way to cross the American border.

Although the focus is obviously on the gold, Shah always has his eyes open for a good story. He visits ancient churches hewn from the rock, hangs out with a "hyena" man whose designated task is to feed hyenas at night so they don't steal children from the town (hyenas are said to be the guardians of Solomon's secret mines), consults with the guru of a Rastafarian sect, travels across desert with a salt caravan, debunks a traveling miracle worker, and sit in many a seedy roadside bar with the ubiquitous prostitutes. Shah details everything with crisp writing and many a well-turned phrase (one of my favorites is "To most Ethiopians, the idea of a hotel without prostitutes is a bad joke.") that act as nice counterpoints to the hardship and struggle he witnesses. The book is bound together with a spirit of adventure rare in modern travel books, and despite a rather rushed and unsatisfactory end, is valuable reading for anyone interested in modern Africa.

"A journey is of no merit unless it has tested you.", 04 Sep 2003
Armed with books and papers he acquired in preparation for his trip, and a "treasure map" he purchased in Jerusalem, Tahir Shah sets out in search of King Solomon’s legendary gold mines. King Solomon built a lavishly appointed temple in Jerusalem three thousand years ago, using gold which the Queen of Sheba supposedly brought from Ophir, an unknown land. Various researchers claim that Ophir was in Zimbabwe, South Africa, or even Haiti or Peru.

A sacred Ethiopian text claims that the son of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon is the ancestor of the Ethiopian emperors, and since Ethiopia’s gold is also one of its richest resources, Shah accepts the idea that the legendary Ophir was probably in Ethiopia. Hiring a guide and translator, he begins his search, checking out mines where gold is so close to the surface that men, women, and children dig for it with their hands. Always, Shah seeks some connection to Ophir.

The author keeps the reader constantly intrigued with the fascinating characters he meets during his many side trips: Yusuf, the hyenaman, who handfeeds wild hyenas each night; a "miracle man," who performs four miracles; and Kefla Mohammed, leader of a salt caravan. Shah also includes wonderfully revealing photographs of these people and the artifacts he finds.

Occasionally, Shah, a member of Afghan royalty, betrays an insensitivity toward the people around him. He does not give his devoted interpreter a "sick day," he does not always share his supplies and equipment, and he offers no assistance at the site of a terrible road accident. His unflagging sense of adventure is admirable, however, and he brings fascinating and unique Ethiopian cultures and people to the attention of readers who would not otherwise be exposed to them. Mary Whipple

In the footsteps of a tyrant, 06 Jan 2008
I loved this book. The short chapters combined with the fluid and easy writing style make it a very easy read - especially if you have to grab your reading in bite sized chunks as I do. Its a great achievement to make a small episode in history into such a great yarn - the stuff of films. A tinpot emperor has annual play fights with his rebellious "neighbours" / subjects but is in the thrall of the imperial Victoria who he (quite rightly) believes is ignoring him, but in a desperate bid to maintain his ties to her country, Tewodros detains her envoys. What follows is an abject lesson in how gunboat diplomacy can't work if there is no coast off which to park your gunboat, the terrain is inhospitable, the warlord driven by religious fervour and a belief in his own divine rectitude - who says we don't learn the lessons of history? In any case, Marsden's book is clearly meticulously researched and he has great knowledge of and sympathy for Ethiopia. History has rarely been made this interesting and easy on the eye. George Macdonald Fraser had a go at this story with Sir Harry Flashman (who undertook to rescue the envoys in "Flashman on the March") - but this altogether more rigorous and yet no less enjoyable version of events cannot be too highly recommended.

Accurate, informative, well-written and thorough, 11 Dec 2008
Having used the Bradt guide to Tanzania a few years ago and found it infinitely superior to the Lonely Planet for that country, I was not at all surprised by the high standard of this book.

The author Philip Briggs is clearly passionate about Ethiopia -- memorably urging visitors to 'prepare to Ethiopiate' during their time there -- which helps. He balances amusing anecdotes about the potential hazards of travel (e.g. the bus ceremony (p.92) and 'Dust' (p. 132)) with the painstaking detail of the more mundane yet essential facts like the state of the showers in cheap hotels in Wukro.

Briggs is authoritative* throughout and I never once felt that he had cut any corners during the three weeks I spent relying upon it. Thoroughly recommended.

*The one exception was that the book didn't quite prepare my friend and I for the abysmal state of many of the major roads. The worst example was the principal trunk road from Dessie in the north to Addis which was appalling, largely unpaved and rock-strewn. There are Chinese contractors currently in the process of asphalting most of it but the project seemed a good few years away from completion (and the bus journey that the book said would take eight hours took nearly 14 as a result!)

Top guidebook, 15 Sep 2006
I've never come across such a brilliant guidebook as this for any country I've been to. Not only is it highly informative, dependable and up to date, as you would expect, but it is also very readable. Mr Briggs' writing style demonstrates a real affection for the country which you will hopefully share by the end of your stay. We certainly did.

a lyrical treat, 06 May 2007
I read this on the strength of Marsden's other book: "The Crossing Place", he seems to have a knack for writing books about countries I'm slightly obsessed with. I hate to get bogged down in cliches but this is another modern classic. Within any travel book there needs to be a sound motivation for the journey, without this central motivation it often seems like somebody is just writing a book for money, or doing something to please a publisher. All my cynicism was left behind as I followed Marsden and his numerous guides through both the difficult topography and turbulent history of Ethiopia. I recommend this book to casual readers in search of some escape or serious students of history and theology. The strong point of the book is that he undertakes the journey on foot so we get highly lyrical descriptions, written from someone who has had alot of time to compose their thoughts and take in surroundings.
There has been little written about Ethiopia and it is still tarred with images from news footage of famines. Marsden offers us a new reflection on a truly unique place, unique in culture, customs and in it's general isolation from the West and the rest. If you intend on learning more about this quirky corner of Africa I recommend reading both "The Emperor" and "The Pale Abyssinian".

Get into the heart of Ethiopia, 19 Apr 2006
Philip Marsden returns to Ethiopia in 2003, having been entranced by the country during a short visit in 1982. This time he hires a guide and a succession of mules to walk across the north. He explores churches, meets a variety of monks and discusses Ethiopian history. You have to admire his courage and persistence as he sweats and climbs with his mules through the mountains - why doesn't he catch a bus? But he makes it all the way to his final destination without a vehicle, and gives a real insight into the country. In the beginning he writes "if there is any purpose to our time on earth, it is to understand it...to celebrate its heroes and its wonders - in short, to witness it". Witness it he does. Through his book I've gained an understanding of Ethiopia. And now I'd love to go there. What greater vindication of the success of a travel book could you want?

A Triumph!, 26 Feb 2006
Philip Marsden is without doubt the most important and erudite writer concerned with Africa today. This book will change the way you think.

Avoid, 02 Nov 2008
Pants. Avoid unless you are specifically going to both countries and cant bear to carry two books.

Fairly good info for Ethiopia's historical circuit but even there the writing style is appalling and gushy with far too many completely!! innapropriate!!! exclamation marks!!!!

Is also now quite outdated - factor prices up by X2 and features several hotels which no longer exist and restaurants which have gone markedly downhill.

The book really falls down on its claims to inform about Dijibouti and Eritrea however, which are cursory and just feel as if they have been tacked on in a cynical attempt to tap a market.

The chapter on Asmara, capital of Eritrea, is particularly bad. In one of the most architecturally extaordinary cities on earth, the notes have clearly been cribbed from another book with zero understanding or appreciation for their subject matter.

And, as i discovered to my cost, the airport is not ten minutes from the nearest bus service - its half an hour with a heavy back pack in pitch darkness. Thanks boys!

Buy the Bradt Guide: it's much better, 15 Sep 2006
This book's a reasonable guide, but is eclipsed by the brilliantly written and hugely informative Bradt Guide. We took both books to Ethiopia (09/2006) and found the Bradt one to be far superior.

Fine and Dandy, 22 Nov 2004
I used this guidebook for Eritrea. The walking tours in Asmara are a must and an excellent feature. The information is good the only drawback is that there aren't any maps for the smaller towns. That is where Bradt has the advantage. However Eritreans are charming so asking the way is a pleasure.

Excellent guide book, 10 Jun 2004
I spent a month in Ethiopia (March 2004) and found this book to be both accurate and informative. I would recommend it to everybody. Ethiopia is a most fascinating country and definitely worth a visit. This book provides all the information to take away the worries and hassles and makes you really enjoy your holiday.

Geat book - shame about the cover, 11 Jan 2004
I travelled in Ethiopia between 19/12/03 and 4/1/04 - just after this new edition came out. The cover is boring and so un-Ethiopia but the content was very accurate and uptodate.

Some good "legends" and local stories. Recommend that if going to Ethiopia you also get hold of a copy of Graham Hancock's "Lords of poverty" - easilt attainablein Addis Abba -even if you can't get it on Amazon !

Interesting...but mixes and matches facts and dates, 21 May 2005
I bought this book to give me a taste of Ethiopia before going out to visit some friends.

Now I am not doubting for a minute that the author actually went there and that most of the characters are based on fact. But in other places, Shah seems to mix and match dates to enhance his story a bit.

Take the very first chapter as an example, where Shah is in Jerusalem to buy the map that leads him on the search King Solomon's mines. He talks about being in the Church of the Holy Sepulchure and bullets ricocheting off the walls while he was in the compound talking to Russian tourists. Knowing a little bit about the Middle East I was a bit suspicious as I had not heard of fighting between Israelis and Palestinians around the church, and an Internet search didn't throw up any evidence of it.

Once he is in Ethiopia there are a few more eye brow raising sections. For example he talks about attempts to bury the late emperor Haile Selassie...except that Selassie was buried in 2000 and the book was almost certainly written afterwards.

Shah captures the flavour of Ethiopia and Ethiopian culture well, but after coming across the examples above, I did start to doubt some of the other things he talked about. For instance, did he really rent the ex Emperor's jeep? And the story of the bus crash involving the Dutch tourists outside the town of Lalibela seemed a bit extreme.

Call me old fashioned, but I do prefer travelogues to be about things that the author actually experienced, without the need for it to be spiced up.

In Search Of King Solomon's Mines, 08 May 2005
I will not go into the detail of the other reviews, but more state my feelings on the book. Its truely left me with the urge to travel more, a cousin purchased me the title and after doing a school exchange to Ethiopia in October 2004 (www.gondarlink.org.uk) I can relate to Shar's travels, I even stayed in the same hotels as he did in Gondar and 'Bar-Dar' as we called it, i was dubious though, the hotel Ghion he mentions to have stayed in in Addis from my knowledge was actually situated on top of the hill in Gondar (we visited for a meal when a friend was 18 while we were out there).
The author does though capture the mentality of ethiopians, the fact that there not all live aid victims, I found nearly all the population to be very cheerful and welcoming as Tahir illustrates. A very good book for anyone who has/will be travelling to Ethiopia, or even just interested in Solomons mines, Tahir definately manages to attatch a comedy factor to his tales. I personally cannot wait to read more of his books or books from similar authors, Frank Hayter sounds a true character. Happy Reading

if u like travel boos its a must by, 06 Jul 2004
The book I have chosen to review is a non fiction called 'In Search of King Solomon's Mines', it is written by Tahir Shah.

The book I think is about two thing s , First is obviously Shahs desire and passion to find King Solomon's mines and second is to help people understand what it is like to live in poverty in a 3rd world country.
The book starts in Jerusalem where he buys a treasure map from Ali Babas bazaar. From here he travels to Ethiopia and hires Samson, a guide who soon becomes a friend ,Samson is also a very religious taxi driver, who is sometimes reluctant to do what Shah wants but is soon persuaded when he is offered more money. He stays faithful to Shah throughout the book whatever happens. Together they set out and visit various destinations along the way in some ways the book is a collection of short stories.
At their first stop they encounter many different and strange people including the hyena man who feeds the hyenas at night to stop them taking the children form the town but he describes the people very well and makes you begin to like and respect them whilst making jokes to keep the reader amused. From here they travel to one of the many illegal gold mines in Ethiopia were he sees some horrific things, that sometimes just make you think how lucky you are. He witnesses a young boy go into a tunnel and not come out as it collapses and the small boy is suffocated to death these incidents also make you stop and think about how some people live. I think the stories he tells in the book balance each other out, there are incidents that make you laugh and incidents that make your heart miss a beat because they are so awful.
The various characters he meets are also described in a way that makes you respect them or take a dislike to, one example is the prostitutes he meets for some reason you cannot dislike them because you understand that that is what they have to do to live. Whereas the police make you feel the total opposite and you feel no respect for them it is a sort of reversal of roles.
One thing throughout the book that everyone he meets asks him is 'How do I get to America'? Or have you been to America'? Everyone seems to think America will solve their problems and will make them rich which is what they think will bring them happiness
Throughout the book you are aware of Shah's feeling towards what he is doing and his feelings towards the people he is with, you feel he respects them. You also pick up that he is good at telling what people think of him. When Samson and him get arrested he can tell that Samson doubts him and obviously thinks he is a lunatic but he understands why Samson thinks this and does not really blame him. Tahir Shah even thinks himself to be a bit mad and sometimes does crazy things but for some reason you never get annoyed with him and nor do his companions in the book.
His final destination is Tullu Wallel where he believes he has found King Solomon's Mines. He builds up the suspense and makes you believe he has found the mines, before he actually tells you he does this by describing a sunny day and walking thought the fields. Eventually Shah finds his way to where he thinks the mines are. He goes into the tunnel and is very excited after all his effort and hard work but the tunnel is a dead end. He fails and returns home very unhappy. He tried again to find the mines but failed again. In the book he is depressed he doesn't find the mines but later he comes to realise that it is the journey and what you learn from it that matters , not the final goal He is now going to Afghanistan to try and find King Ahmed Shahs Gold

Romantic Exploreration in the Modern World, 12 Mar 2004
Although Shah starts his book in old Jerusalem, where he purchases a dubious treasure map off the wall of an even more dubious shop named Ali Baba's Bazaar, this is actually an excellent travel book about modern Ethiopia. Apparently Shah's grandfather and father both harbored obsessions about locating the source of the gold King Solomon used for his great temple in Jerusalem. This obsession was passed down to the intrepid Tahir, who embarks on his own quest to find the ancient gold mines. Shah is not hoping to cash in (he swears an oath not to harvest gold), rather, the trip is another of his retro-adventures (cf. The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Trail of Feathers) in the style of Victorian-era explorer/romantic adventurers like Richard Burton.

According to the ancient sources, Solomon's gold was brought to him by the Queen of Sheba from the land of Ophir. Shah briefly outlines a geographical and etymological case for Ophir being located in present day Ethiopia, and organizes himself to visit this country largely known in the West for its poverty and famines. Armed with a trunk of books and articles (and far too much equipment), he arrives and promptly hires his taxi driver Samson to be interpreter, guide, and all around fixer. Samson is an extremely devout Christian and a reluctant guide throughout the trip, but the money is a boon to his precarious existence. Together, they set out by train and bus to visit a a series of potential locations Tahir has marked out. After a great deal of hardship in getting to the first site, they return to Addis Ababa and hire a driver-even though Ethiopian roads sound as bad as any I've read about. This is Bahra, a qat-addicted Somali cardsharp who likes to break up the tedium with deliberate roadkill. One of my favorite moments in the book is when, near the end of the journey, he simply stops in the middle of nowhere and declares that his luck has run out and he won't drive any more.

What emerges from Shah's trip is a land far more naturally varied and lush than the typical perception of Ethiopia-though desperately poor. Although there are numerous places where gold is so near the surface that impromptu (and illegal) mining communities spring up to pan for gold and dig tiny tunnels to extract it, the avenues for selling it are such that wealth-as in much of the third world-is highly concentrated at the top. The depiction of one such camp, where even the suspicion that one has found a nugget of gold and swallowed can result in your throat getting slit and your entrails opened up for inspection, is terrifying. Of course, the only thing more desirable than gold is getting to America, and at one point Shah is called upon to give a seminar to several hundred miners on the best way to cross the American border.

Although the focus is obviously on the gold, Shah always has his eyes open for a good story. He visits ancient churches hewn from the rock, hangs out with a "hyena" man whose designated task is to feed hyenas at night so they don't steal children from the town (hyenas are said to be the guardians of Solomon's secret mines), consults with the guru of a Rastafarian sect, travels across desert with a salt caravan, debunks a traveling miracle worker, and sit in many a seedy roadside bar with the ubiquitous prostitutes. Shah details everything with crisp writing and many a well-turned phrase (one of my favorites is "To most Ethiopians, the idea of a hotel without prostitutes is a bad joke.") that act as nice counterpoints to the hardship and struggle he witnesses. The book is bound together with a spirit of adventure rare in modern travel books, and despite a rather rushed and unsatisfactory end, is valuable reading for anyone interested in modern Africa.

"A journey is of no merit unless it has tested you.", 04 Sep 2003
Armed with books and papers he acquired in preparation for his trip, and a "treasure map" he purchased in Jerusalem, Tahir Shah sets out in search of King Solomon’s legendary gold mines. King Solomon built a lavishly appointed temple in Jerusalem three thousand years ago, using gold which the Queen of Sheba supposedly brought from Ophir, an unknown land. Various researchers claim that Ophir was in Zimbabwe, South Africa, or even Haiti or Peru.

A sacred Ethiopian text claims that the son of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon is the ancestor of the Ethiopian emperors, and since Ethiopia’s gold is also one of its richest resources, Shah accepts the idea that the legendary Ophir was probably in Ethiopia. Hiring a guide and translator, he begins his search, checking out mines where gold is so close to the surface that men, women, and children dig for it with their hands. Always, Shah seeks some connection to Ophir.

The author keeps the reader constantly intrigued with the fascinating characters he meets during his many side trips: Yusuf, the hyenaman, who handfeeds wild hyenas each night; a "miracle man," who performs four miracles; and Kefla Mohammed, leader of a salt caravan. Shah also includes wonderfully revealing photographs of these people and the artifacts he finds.

Occasionally, Shah, a member of Afghan royalty, betrays an insensitivity toward the people around him. He does not give his devoted interpreter a "sick day," he does not always share his supplies and equipment, and he offers no assistance at the site of a terrible road accident. His unflagging sense of adventure is admirable, however, and he brings fascinating and unique Ethiopian cultures and people to the attention of readers who would not otherwise be exposed to them. Mary Whipple

In the footsteps of a tyrant, 06 Jan 2008
I loved this book. The short chapters combined with the fluid and easy writing style make it a very easy read - especially if you have to grab your reading in bite sized chunks as I do. Its a great achievement to make a small episode in history into such a great yarn - the stuff of films. A tinpot emperor has annual play fights with his rebellious "neighbours" / subjects but is in the thrall of the imperial Victoria who he (quite rightly) believes is ignoring him, but in a desperate bid to maintain his ties to her country, Tewodros detains her envoys. What follows is an abject lesson in how gunboat diplomacy can't work if there is no coast off which to park your gunboat, the terrain is inhospitable, the warlord driven by religious fervour and a belief in his own divine rectitude - who says we don't learn the lessons of history? In any case, Marsden's book is clearly meticulously researched and he has great knowledge of and sympathy for Ethiopia. History has rarely been made this interesting and easy on the eye. George Macdonald Fraser had a go at this story with Sir Harry Flashman (who undertook to rescue the envoys in "Flashman on the March") - but this altogether more rigorous and yet no less enjoyable version of events cannot be too highly recommended.

Thesiger at his best, 10 Aug 1999
Wilfred Thesiger is the last of the truly intrepid explorers. Born in Abyssinia he was familiar with the people of the region and undertook the first two journeys into completely unmapped areas in the 1930's. The two journeys described in this book shaped Thesiger's whole life. For those who have read other Thesiger books, this provides an intimate glimpse into his childhood and formative years and provides insights into his attitude to his exploring and adventures. The book is written from his diary which could make it boring, but his anecdotes, asides, letters to his mother, and observations of those around him transform it into a wonderful evocation of a time now sadly long past. A fascinating read recommended to all those hooked on travel books.

A Diary of Thesiger's first expedition, 23 Nov 1998
Thesiger, Britain's greatest modern day explorer, undertook a journey through the Danakil country of Abyssinian at the age of 22. The Danakil had killed and mutilated all members of the previous European expeditions to their tribal lands but this did not deter Thesiger, in fact it probably made him more keen to go. Thesiger completed his route through the Danakil country and this book contains the diary entries made during Thesiger's expedition. Thesiger and his entourage encountered some very hiary moments but these are dealt with in his usual modest way making the reader think that actually it must have been a bit of a breeze. Clearly it couldn't have been but therein lies the measure of the man. Any readers interested in Thesiger and his life should definitely read this book as Thesiger claims that it was this expedition that set him on his life of exploration.

Accurate, informative, well-written and thorough, 11 Dec 2008
Having used the Bradt guide to Tanzania a few years ago and found it infinitely superior to the Lonely Planet for that country, I was not at all surprised by the high standard of this book.

The author Philip Briggs is clearly passionate about Ethiopia -- memorably urging visitors to 'prepare to Ethiopiate' during their time there -- which helps. He balances amusing anecdotes about the potential hazards of travel (e.g. the bus ceremony (p.92) and 'Dust' (p. 132)) with the painstaking detail of the more mundane yet essential facts like the state of the showers in cheap hotels in Wukro.

Briggs is authoritative* throughout and I never once felt that he had cut any corners during the three weeks I spent relying upon it. Thoroughly recommended.

*The one exception was that the book didn't quite prepare my friend and I for the abysmal state of many of the major roads. The worst example was the principal trunk road from Dessie in the north to Addis which was appalling, largely unpaved and rock-strewn. There are Chinese contractors currently in the process of asphalting most of it but the project seemed a good few years away from completion (and the bus journey that the book said would take eight hours took nearly 14 as a result!)

Top guidebook, 15 Sep 2006
I've never come across such a brilliant guidebook as this for any country I've been to. Not only is it highly informative, dependable and up to date, as you would expect, but it is also very readable. Mr Briggs' writing style demonstrates a real affection for the country which you will hopefully share by the end of your stay. We certainly did.

a lyrical treat, 06 May 2007
I read this on the strength of Marsden's other book: "The Crossing Place", he seems to have a knack for writing books about countries I'm slightly obsessed with. I hate to get bogged down in cliches but this is another modern classic. Within any travel book there needs to be a sound motivation for the journey, without this central motivation it often seems like somebody is just writing a book for money, or doing something to please a publisher. All my cynicism was left behind as I followed Marsden and his numerous guides through both the difficult topography and turbulent history of Ethiopia. I recommend this book to casual readers in search of some escape or serious students of history and theology. The strong point of the book is that he undertakes the journey on foot so we get highly lyrical descriptions, written from someone who has had alot of time to compose their thoughts and take in surroundings.
There has been little written about Ethiopia and it is still tarred with images from news footage of famines. Marsden offers us a new reflection on a truly unique place, unique in culture, customs and in it's general isolation from the West and the rest. If you intend on learning more about this quirky corner of Africa I recommend reading both "The Emperor" and "The Pale Abyssinian".

Get into the heart of Ethiopia, 19 Apr 2006
Philip Marsden returns to Ethiopia in 2003, having been entranced by the country during a short visit in 1982. This time he hires a guide and a succession of mules to walk across the north. He explores churches, meets a variety of monks and discusses Ethiopian history. You have to admire his courage and persistence as he sweats and climbs with his mules through the mountains - why doesn't he catch a bus? But he makes it all the way to his final destination without a vehicle, and gives a real insight into the country. In the beginning he writes "if there is any purpose to our time on earth, it is to understand it...to celebrate its heroes and its wonders - in short, to witness it". Witness it he does. Through his book I've gained an understanding of Ethiopia. And now I'd love to go there. What greater vindication of the success of a travel book could you want?

A Triumph!, 26 Feb 2006
Philip Marsden is without doubt the most important and erudite writer concerned with Africa today. This book will change the way you think.

Avoid, 02 Nov 2008
Pants. Avoid unless you are specifically going to both countries and cant bear to carry two books.

Fairly good info for Ethiopia's historical circuit but even there the writing style is appalling and gushy with far too many completely!! innapropriate!!! exclamation marks!!!!

Is also now quite outdated - factor prices up by X2 and features several hotels which no longer exist and restaurants which have gone markedly downhill.

The book really falls down on its claims to inform about Dijibouti and Eritrea however, which are cursory and just feel as if they have been tacked on in a cynical attempt to tap a market.

The chapter on Asmara, capital of Eritrea, is particularly bad. In one of the most architecturally extaordinary cities on earth, the notes have clearly been cribbed from another book with zero understanding or appreciation for their subject matter.

And, as i discovered to my cost, the airport is not ten minutes from the nearest bus service - its half an hour with a heavy back pack in pitch darkness. Thanks boys!

Buy the Bradt Guide: it's much better, 15 Sep 2006
This book's a reasonable guide, but is eclipsed by the brilliantly written and hugely informative Bradt Guide. We took both books to Ethiopia (09/2006) and found the Bradt one to be far superior.

Fine and Dandy, 22 Nov 2004
I used this guidebook for Eritrea. The walking tours in Asmara are a must and an excellent feature. The information is good the only drawback is that there aren't any maps for the smaller towns. That is where Bradt has the advantage. However Eritreans are charming so asking the way is a pleasure.

Excellent guide book, 10 Jun 2004
I spent a month in Ethiopia (March 2004) and found this book to be both accurate and informative. I would recommend it to everybody. Ethiopia is a most fascinating country and definitely worth a visit. This book provides all the information to take away the worries and hassles and makes you really enjoy your holiday.

Geat book - shame about the cover, 11 Jan 2004
I travelled in Ethiopia between 19/12/03 and 4/1/04 - just after this new edition came out. The cover is boring and so un-Ethiopia but the content was very accurate and uptodate.

Some good "legends" and local stories. Recommend that if going to Ethiopia you also get hold of a copy of Graham Hancock's "Lords of poverty" - easilt attainablein Addis Abba -even if you can't get it on Amazon !

Interesting...but mixes and matches facts and dates, 21 May 2005
I bought this book to give me a taste of Ethiopia before going out to visit some friends.

Now I am not doubting for a minute that the author actually went there and that most of the characters are based on fact. But in other places, Shah seems to mix and match dates to enhance his story a bit.

Take the very first chapter as an example, where Shah is in Jerusalem to buy the map that leads him on the search King Solomon's mines. He talks about being in the Church of the Holy Sepulchure and bullets ricocheting off the walls while he was in the compound talking to Russian tourists. Knowing a little bit about the Middle East I was a bit suspicious as I had not heard of fighting between Israelis and Palestinians around the church, and an Internet search didn't throw up any evidence of it.

Once he is in Ethiopia there are a few more eye brow raising sections. For example he talks about attempts to bury the late emperor Haile Selassie...except that Selassie was buried in 2000 and the book was almost certainly written afterwards.

Shah captures the flavour of Ethiopia and Ethiopian culture well, but after coming across the examples above, I did start to doubt some of the other things he talked about. For instance, did he really rent the ex Emperor's jeep? And the story of the bus crash involving the Dutch tourists outside the town of Lalibela seemed a bit extreme.

Call me old fashioned, but I do prefer travelogues to be about things that the author actually experienced, without the need for it to be spiced up.

In Search Of King Solomon's Mines, 08 May 2005
I will not go into the detail of the other reviews, but more state my feelings on the book. Its truely left me with the urge to travel more, a cousin purchased me the title and after doing a school exchange to Ethiopia in October 2004 (www.gondarlink.org.uk) I can relate to Shar's travels, I even stayed in the same hotels as he did in Gondar and 'Bar-Dar' as we called it, i was dubious though, the hotel Ghion he mentions to have stayed in in Addis from my knowledge was actually situated on top of the hill in Gondar (we visited for a meal when a friend was 18 while we were out there).
The author does though capture the mentality of ethiopians, the fact that there not all live aid victims, I found nearly all the population to be very cheerful and welcoming as Tahir illustrates. A very good book for anyone who has/will be travelling to Ethiopia, or even just interested in Solomons mines, Tahir definately manages to attatch a comedy factor to his tales. I personally cannot wait to read more of his books or books from similar authors, Frank Hayter sounds a true character. Happy Reading

if u like travel boos its a must by, 06 Jul 2004
The book I have chosen to review is a non fiction called 'In Search of King Solomon's Mines', it is written by Tahir Shah.

The book I think is about two thing s , First is obviously Shahs desire and passion to find King Solomon's mines and second is to help people understand what it is like to live in poverty in a 3rd world country.
The book starts in Jerusalem where he buys a treasure map from Ali Babas bazaar. From here he travels to Ethiopia and hires Samson, a guide who soon becomes a friend ,Samson is also a very religious taxi driver, who is sometimes reluctant to do what Shah wants but is soon persuaded when he is offered more money. He stays faithful to Shah throughout the book whatever happens. Together they set out and visit various destinations along the way in some ways the book is a collection of short stories.
At their first stop they encounter many different and strange people including the hyena man who feeds the hyenas at night to stop them taking the children form the town but he describes the people very well and makes you begin to like and respect them whilst making jokes to keep the reader amused. From here they travel to one of the many illegal gold mines in Ethiopia were he sees some horrific things, that sometimes just make you think how lucky you are. He witnesses a young boy go into a tunnel and not come out as it collapses and the small boy is suffocated to death these incidents also make you stop and think about how some people live. I think the stories he tells in the book balance each other out, there are incidents that make you laugh and incidents that make your heart miss a beat because they are so awful.
The various characters he meets are also described in a way that makes you respect them or take a dislike to, one example is the prostitutes he meets for some reason you cannot dislike them because you understand that that is what they have to do to live. Whereas the police make you feel the total opposite and you feel no respect for them it is a sort of reversal of roles.
One thing throughout the book that everyone he meets asks him is 'How do I get to America'? Or have you been to America'? Everyone seems to think America will solve their problems and will make them rich which is what they think will bring them happiness
Throughout the book you are aware of Shah's feeling towards what he is doing and his feelings towards the people he is with, you feel he respects them. You also pick up that he is good at telling what people think of him. When Samson and him get arrested he can tell that Samson doubts him and obviously thinks he is a lunatic but he understands why Samson thinks this and does not really blame him. Tahir Shah even thinks himself to be a bit mad and sometimes does crazy things but for some reason you never get annoyed with him and nor do his companions in the book.
His final destination is Tullu Wallel where he believes he has found King Solomon's Mines. He builds up the suspense and makes you believe he has found the mines, before he actually tells you he does this by describing a sunny day and walking thought the fields. Eventually Shah finds his way to where he thinks the mines are. He goes into the tunnel and is very excited after all his effort and hard work but the tunnel is a dead end. He fails and returns home very unhappy. He tried again to find the mines but failed again. In the book he is depressed he doesn't find the mines but later he comes to realise that it is the journey and what you learn from it that matters , not the final goal He is now going to Afghanistan to try and find King Ahmed Shahs Gold

Romantic Exploreration in the Modern World, 12 Mar 2004
Although Shah starts his book in old Jerusalem, where he purchases a dubious treasure map off the wall of an even more dubious shop named Ali Baba's Bazaar, this is actually an excellent travel book about modern Ethiopia. Apparently Shah's grandfather and father both harbored obsessions about locating the source of the gold King Solomon used for his great temple in Jerusalem. This obsession was passed down to the intrepid Tahir, who embarks on his own quest to find the ancient gold mines. Shah is not hoping to cash in (he swears an oath not to harvest gold), rather, the trip is another of his retro-adventures (cf. The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Trail of Feathers) in the style of Victorian-era explorer/romantic adventurers like Richard Burton.

According to the ancient sources, Solomon's gold was brought to him by the Queen of Sheba from the land of Ophir. Shah briefly outlines a geographical and etymological case for Ophir being located in present day Ethiopia, and organizes himself to visit this country largely known in the West for its poverty and famines. Armed with a trunk of books and articles (and far too much equipment), he arrives and promptly hires his taxi driver Samson to be interpreter, guide, and all around fixer. Samson is an extremely devout Christian and a reluctant guide throughout the trip, but the money is a boon to his precarious existence. Together, they set out by train and bus to visit a a series of potential locations Tahir has marked out. After a great deal of hardship in getting to the first site, they return to Addis Ababa and hire a driver-even though Ethiopian roads sound as bad as any I've read about. This is Bahra, a qat-addicted Somali cardsharp who likes to break up the tedium with deliberate roadkill. One of my favorite moments in the book is when, near the end of the journey, he simply stops in the middle of nowhere and declares that his luck has run out and he won't drive any more.

What emerges from Shah's trip is a land far more naturally varied and lush than the typical perception of Ethiopia-though desperately poor. Although there are numerous places where gold is so near the surface that impromptu (and illegal) mining communities spring up to pan for gold and dig tiny tunnels to extract it, the avenues for selling it are such that wealth-as in much of the third world-is highly concentrated at the top. The depiction of one such camp, where even the suspicion that one has found a nugget of gold and swallowed can result in your throat getting slit and your entrails opened up for inspection, is terrifying. Of course, the only thing more desirable than gold is getting to America, and at one point Shah is called upon to give a seminar to several hundred miners on the best way to cross the American border.

Although the focus is obviously on the gold, Shah always has his eyes open for a good story. He visits ancient churches hewn from the rock, hangs out with a "hyena" man whose designated task is to feed hyenas at night so they don't steal children from the town (hyenas are said to be the guardians of Solomon's secret mines), consults with the guru of a Rastafarian sect, travels across desert with a salt caravan, debunks a traveling miracle worker, and sit in many a seedy roadside bar with the ubiquitous prostitutes. Shah details everything with crisp writing and many a well-turned phrase (one of my favorites is "To most Ethiopians, the idea of a hotel without prostitutes is a bad joke.") that act as nice counterpoints to the hardship and struggle he witnesses. The book is bound together with a spirit of adventure rare in modern travel books, and despite a rather rushed and unsatisfactory end, is valuable reading for anyone interested in modern Africa.

"A journey is of no merit unless it has tested you.", 04 Sep 2003
Armed with books and papers he acquired in preparation for his trip, and a "treasure map" he purchased in Jerusalem, Tahir Shah sets out in search of King Solomon’s legendary gold mines. King Solomon built a lavishly appointed temple in Jerusalem three thousand years ago, using gold which the Queen of Sheba supposedly brought from Ophir, an unknown land. Various researchers claim that Ophir was in Zimbabwe, South Africa, or even Haiti or Peru.

A sacred Ethiopian text claims that the son of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon is the ancestor of the Ethiopian emperors, and since Ethiopia’s gold is also one of its richest resources, Shah accepts the idea that the legendary Ophir was probably in Ethiopia. Hiring a guide and translator, he begins his search, checking out mines where gold is so close to the surface that men, women, and children dig for it with their hands. Always, Shah seeks some connection to Ophir.

The author keeps the reader constantly intrigued with the fascinating characters he meets during his many side trips: Yusuf, the hyenaman, who handfeeds wild hyenas each night; a "miracle man," who performs four miracles; and Kefla Mohammed, leader of a salt caravan. Shah also includes wonderfully revealing photographs of these people and the artifacts he finds.

Occasionally, Shah, a member of Afghan royalty, betrays an insensitivity toward the people around him. He does not give his devoted interpreter a "sick day," he does not always share his supplies and equipment, and he offers no assistance at the site of a terrible road accident. His unflagging sense of adventure is admirable, however, and he brings fascinating and unique Ethiopian cultures and people to the attention of readers who would not otherwise be exposed to them. Mary Whipple

In the footsteps of a tyrant, 06 Jan 2008
I loved this book. The short chapters combined with the fluid and easy writing style make it a very easy read - especially if you have to grab your reading in bite sized chunks as I do. Its a great achievement to make a small episode in history into such a great yarn - the stuff of films. A tinpot emperor has annual play fights with his rebellious "neighbours" / subjects but is in the thrall of the imperial Victoria who he (quite rightly) believes is ignoring him, but in a desperate bid to maintain his ties to her country, Tewodros detains her envoys. What follows is an abject lesson in how gunboat diplomacy can't work if there is no coast off which to park your gunboat, the terrain is inhospitable, the warlord driven by religious fervour and a belief in his own divine rectitude - who says we don't learn the lessons of history? In any case, Marsden's book is clearly meticulously researched and he has great knowledge of and sympathy for Ethiopia. History has rarely been made this interesting and easy on the eye. George Macdonald Fraser had a go at this story with Sir Harry Flashman (who undertook to rescue the envoys in "Flashman on the March") - but this altogether more rigorous and yet no less enjoyable version of events cannot be too highly recommended.

Thesiger at his best, 10 Aug 1999
Wilfred Thesiger is the last of the truly intrepid explorers. Born in Abyssinia he was familiar with the people of the region and undertook the first two journeys into completely unmapped areas in the 1930's. The two journeys described in this book shaped Thesiger's whole life. For those who have read other Thesiger books, this provides an intimate glimpse into his childhood and formative years and provides insights into his attitude to his exploring and adventures. The book is written from his diary which could make it boring, but his anecdotes, asides, letters to his mother, and observations of those around him transform it into a wonderful evocation of a time now sadly long past. A fascinating read recommended to all those hooked on travel books.

A Diary of Thesiger's first expedition, 23 Nov 1998
Thesiger, Britain's greatest modern day explorer, undertook a journey through the Danakil country of Abyssinian at the age of 22. The Danakil had killed and mutilated all members of the previous European expeditions to their tribal lands but this did not deter Thesiger, in fact it probably made him more keen to go. Thesiger completed his route through the Danakil country and this book contains the diary entries made during Thesiger's expedition. Thesiger and his entourage encountered some very hiary moments but these are dealt with in his usual modest way making the reader think that actually it must have been a bit of a breeze. Clearly it couldn't have been but therein lies the measure of the man. Any readers interested in Thesiger and his life should definitely read this book as Thesiger claims that it was this expedition that set him on his life of exploration.

A must for any traveller on Lake Nasser, 15 Aug 2007
These pocket guides really are fantast