Beyond Timbuktu: Journeys of Hope and Humanity

By Catherine DeVrye

What if the world were far kinder and more connected than the headlines lead us to believe? What if smiles were passports?

Beyond Timbuktu takes readers on a surprising A-to-Z armchair journey through more than 150 countries--some well known, many misunderstood.

Bestselling author Catherine DeVrye shares real-life stories that transcend bias and borders: skiing in Lebanon, cycling through Lithuania, swimming in Yemen, dining with royalty in Bahrain, and sharing pizza with Syrian refugees in Serbia. Through vivid vignettes and unexpected moments of connection, she reveals the common hopes, dreams, laughter, and humanity that unite people around the world.

With warmth, humor, insight, and unflinching honesty, DeVrye challenges stereotypes about often-maligned nations and highlights a simple truth: individuals are often far kinder than the governments that represent them.

Neither a guidebook nor a conventional memoir, Beyond Timbuktu is a rich mosaic of adventures, observations, and encounters that demonstrate how courage, kindness, and human connection can be found in the most unexpected places.

Whether you're a seasoned traveler with a passport full of stamps or someone dreaming of a first adventure, this book will transport you--to places you've visited, places you long to see, and even places you never imagined exploring.

If you've ever wanted to understand the world more deeply and look beyond media-fueled fear, this is your invitation.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1761452916
• ISBN13: 9781761452918
• Release Date: October 2026
• Publisher: Hardie Grant Custom
• Length: 320 Pages