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liberrydude's review
3.0
Another great mix of travel and history as Stark and his companions cultivate their ego's in their pseudo-first exploration of a wild river. Boldly honest in his revelations of his fears, anxiety, and demeanor throughout the 15 days of travel over, around, and in the river and its cataracts. Good pics of the participants throughout including some nice color shots of the river. We again meet Rousseau, Walden, and Leopold as well as numerous Portuguese and British explorers from the ages in their quest to "discover" what all the local people called home. Five people( three Americans and two South Africans) take the trip and their group cohesion is interesting reading. Stark doesn't like the way the white South Africans condescend to blacks. The woman who organized the expedition starts out being too bossy and has to defer to the experienced guide from South Africa. This guy is an interesting leader and they were lucky to have him. Stark was the oldest person at 48 in the group and sometimes he whines a little too much but he writes a great tale and he deserves to whine, he earned the right.
author_d_r_oestreicher's review
4.0
The Lugenda River travels northeast through northern Mozambique from near the southern end of Lake Malawi (near the Malawi border) to the Tanzania border in the north. You might be thinking, "I've never heard of any of these places." You'd be right and in good company.
At the Mercy of the River by Peter Stark is a adventure memoir of the first Europeans to travel the length of this river. Well the first ones in recent history. Or the first ones who published a book, or at least the first ones to publish a book in English.
This book is a wonderful introduction to Mozambique, though it jumps from historic times to daily adventures, and the mixes internal dialogue with river-running excitement. This can be distracting at times.
For more see: http://1book42day.blogspot.com/2015/05/at-mercy-of-river-by-peter-stark.html
At the Mercy of the River by Peter Stark is a adventure memoir of the first Europeans to travel the length of this river. Well the first ones in recent history. Or the first ones who published a book, or at least the first ones to publish a book in English.
This book is a wonderful introduction to Mozambique, though it jumps from historic times to daily adventures, and the mixes internal dialogue with river-running excitement. This can be distracting at times.
For more see: http://1book42day.blogspot.com/2015/05/at-mercy-of-river-by-peter-stark.html
kbratten's review
3.0
A writer who kayaks and a group of four other adventurers paddle down an unexplored river, challenged by rapids, rocks, and wild animals. The action scenes are well-described. The group dynamic commentary might be a little thick. Peter Stark does a good job of exploring the question of why we explore, and the ups and downs that come with the process. Lots of historical explorers cited, giving this one story of adventure some context and weight. Easily skimmed- there's some plot, but it's nothing you'd miss if you missed a few pages.
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