Maverick in Madagascar (Lonely Planet Journeys)

By Mark Eveleigh

Intrigued by tales of the Vazimba people -- a mysterious tribe of white pygmies according to some accounts; an invisible telepathic people according to others -- Mark travels to the ancient 'Isle of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1864503297
• ISBN13: 9781864503296
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Lonely Planet
• Length: 221 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.5" x 5.0"

Customer Reviews

Ya gotta drop your pretensions sometimes

Darn it all but this was kind of a fun read. I mean the author decided to 'walk' Madagascar. And to tell the truth I have to admit a certain admiration for someone who does something like that and yet doesn't try to sell you the story that it was a childhood dream or some form of spiritual redemption or any of that claptrap. The chap just thought up a stupid idea and did it and that's the sort of random travel adventure I am quite happy to sit down and read. Written in a flowing style the author works his way through this fascinating island nation experiencing all the vagaries of travel in what is essentially a third world nation. From the joys of local transport to buying his own beast of burden there are a number of little eccentricities detailed in this brief book (which I actually got for free with the Madagascar Lonely Planet guide) and one of the main negative points for me was the lack of any photos which is a criminal oversight when you think of the amazing flora and fauna the country boasts. Another negative derives from a positive I mentioned earlier. You see, without any real point to the trip the reader doesn't get a lot of satisfaction from the guy finishing it. Despite those negative points I am happy enough to award a weak four stars to this book on the grounds that it was brisk, fun, didn't moralise to me and.... it's about Madagascar. I mean, just how cool is that?

Reviews

What Holiday: `The simple and uncluttered style of Mark Eveleigh's second book belies the adventure and achievement of his trek across the badlands of Madagascar. The book is written in a tremendously well-observed, yet understated way - a welcome antithesis to the bragging and sensationalist hyperbole of much travel-writing. Maverick in Madagascar manages to be both adventurous and meticulous. Engaging yet educational. In a world where travel writers are incessantly conspiring to plan spontaneous adventures and discover unspoilt places, Mark manages to achieve both in an effortless, modest and low-impact way that will serve as an example to his contemporaries whilst uniquely entertaining and inspiring his readers.'Global Adventure: `Maverick in Madagascar' is a fascinating mix of adventure, history and humour that makes for excellent reading.' Observer: Forget tranquil tales of discontented urbanites setting up home in Provence or Tuscany, Mark Eveleigh's latest offering is travel writing at its grittiest. Certainly not for the nervous traveller, Eveleigh's book explores this strange land of superstition and folklore. Not only tremendously absorbing, but packed with fascinating facts about this unexplored country - over three-quarters of its wildlife is unique to the island - Maverick in Madagascar is a very exciting read.'