Sahara gives us the latest of his epic voyages, and this one possibly represents the most arduous challenge of his career: across the massive and unforgiving Sahara desert. In this beautifully produced volume (studded with some eye-catching colour photographs), we are taken on a unique journey, as Palin reveals the Sahara to us as something considerably more than endless sand dunes. Facet by facet, Michael Palin uncovers a colourful and eccentric panoply of cultures, with chequered histories that stretch back to the dawn of time. Beginning (and ending) in Gibraltar, we are taken from the fabled realms of the ancient Egyptians to the Islamic republics of the present day, as Palin conjures up a journey that alternates between gallows humour and often considerable discomfort. Most of us will never experience the teeming nightlife of Dakar or travel down the river Niger to the fabled city of Timbuktu. But Palin has done it for us, and this book (with or without the accompanying TV series) is a highly enjoyable way to relive that journey with him. --Barry Forshaw

For all of the previous trips ("Around the World in 80 Days", "Pole to Pole", "Full Circle", and "Hemingway Adventure") I found the tone of the TV programs and the books to be consistent. This is not the case with "Sahara".

For "Sahara" the TV program is fairly upbeat, with the same mood as the other TV programs in the series. The book, on the other hand, is more honest and discusses or mentions many problems not featured in the TV program.

The trip involved traveling all around and through the Sahara Desert. It started in Gibraltar and went through Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Senegal, Mali, Niger, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria again, Ceuta, and back to Gibraltar. Some of these countries are huge; for example, Algeria is four times the size of France or three times the size of Texas. The Sahara Desert is roughly the same size as the United States, and the trip covered 10,000 miles and took three months.

It's a very impressive trip, and "Sahara" (the book) does an excellent job of describing it all. Despite the negative aspects of the trip the book still shows Michael Palin's wit and charm, and one does get a very good impression of what it was like for him to make this trip.

But now for a list of the negative aspects related to the countries and areas traveled through:
- inhospitable environment, extreme heat, drought, no water, freezing nights
- poverty, unemployment, begging, disease, starvation
- discrimination against women
- political unrest, refugees, fear of rebels, armed guards needed in Algeria
- primitive customs, cultures in decline, refusal to accept the modern world
- barbaric traditions (female circumcision, sacrificial slaughter of sheep)
- cities in slow deterioration, lack of modern facilities
- economies based almost entirely on exploitation of natural resources
- incredible bureaucracy, filming under restrictive supervision, especially in Libya
- people desperate to escape Africa and enter Europe

To top it all off, the Sept. 11, 2001 tragedy occurred in the middle of this trip. That certainly put a damper on the mood.

A few quotes from the book may help to explain my negative feelings about the whole trip:

"They knew that almost anywhere else is better than here and yet it is their home." (pg 195)

"... a sharp and poignant contrast to the apathy and resignation I've seen in so much of the Sahara." (pg 241)

OK, I am focusing too much on the negative aspects of the trip, but they are there, although they were glossed over in the TV program. Still, it's a very good book about a not-so-good trip, and I do recommend the book.

But not the audio version, even though it is read by Michael Palin himself. I dislike abridged audio books, and the audio version of this book (at least the version on four cassettes that lasts 6 hours) is definitely abridged, despite it being sold as unabridged by some resellers.

Rennie Petersen


sahara   October 18, 2003
 8 out of 11 found this review helpful

this man amazes me every time,this book is wonderful reading,it delves into the minds and cultures of many many people whom were befriended along this fascinating journey across the desert.i finished it in a day,just couldn't put it down.


A must-have coffee table book   July 18, 2003
 11 out of 13 found this review helpful

I picked up this book after having watched the accompanying BBC series, so I wondered if there was anything left to know about Palin's epic journey across North Africa in 2002. I wasn't disappointed. For ninety-nine days Palin trekked through the world's most hostile terrains, whilst experiencing a diverse host of cultures. His encounters are documented in a vibrant, chatty style, which made me laugh out loud in places. You're also transported into Palin's world - a sentiment I lacked whilst watching the TV programmes. Superb colour photographs and a pleasant layout are the icing on Sahara's cake. Top marks to this book. Everyone should have one on their coffee table