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I think this book did not get as good reviews as her first, but I like Fuller's spare style. ... (continued)

This book surprised me in three ways ... ... (continued)

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This very readable book was a lot more about the chimpanzees than I expected, and a lot less about Jane Goodall than I wished. I suppose that tells you something about this amazing woman. In the early 1960s Goodall, barely... ... (continued)

Smith's first book starring independent African businesswoman Mma Ramotswe, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, was original and enjoyable, if not especially complex or thought-provoking. Unfortunately Tears of the Giraffe dumbs down the lady detective story too much. As if... ... (continued)

I read the English translation of Mali Blues, which was originally written in Dutch. It's a modern and down-to-earth travelogue. I had a hunch it wouldn’t be outstanding, and, loose in structure, it does ramble a bit aimlessly. However, Joris'... ... (continued)

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The totally riveting memoir of a girlhood spent on farms in central and east Africa. Eric selected this for me based on a review in the Economist. Its episodes are beautifully composed of vivid scenes. I wish I learned more... ... (continued)

Mike Tidwell was finishing his Peace Corps tour when E. was a brand-new volunteer. They both worked in the fisheries program in what was then Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). Mike finished his two-year tour and returned to... ... (continued)

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