The Zanzibar Chest: A Story of Life, Love, and Death in Foreign Lands - Hardcover

Hartley, Aidan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0871138719 ISBN 13: 9780871138712

Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Pr, 2003

Synopsis

An epic narrative of the journalist who worked in Africa in the 1990s describes his childhood as the son of a British colonial officer; his witness to genocidal activities in Ethiopia, Somalia, Rwanda, and the Congo; and his discovery of a missing family friend's journals. 35,000 first printing.

About this title

Review:

‘A powerful blend of family history and war correspondent’s memoir...searing, deeply instructive.’ Anthony Daniels, Sunday Telegraph

‘A truly impressive and haunting book, an impassioned and often beautifully written account of one man’s journey to the heart of darkness, and his slow, painful voyage back.’ Harry Ritchie, Daily Mail

‘Underpinning the grisly details of wars in Somalia, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Burundi that Hartley experienced first-hand and at no small emotional cost to himself, is a touching story of his childhood in colonial Africa.’ Iain Finlayson, The Times

‘Wonderful and everywhere remarkable...Hartley writes with love and an astonishing zest.’ Allan Massie, Daily Telegraph

‘“The Zanzibar Chest” is a necessary book...you will struggle to find a more authentic, urgent or brilliant account of the underbelly of contemporary Africa...this book seems destined to become a classic.’ Christopher Ross, Sunday Express

A masterpiece. This is a hugely ambitious book.’ Matthew Leeming, Spectator

‘No other African correspondent has been so successful in blending both hard reporting and laddish on-the-road antics within a personal and lyrical framework. Hartley evokes the excitement and pathos of the modern continent...he is perhaps the best mzungu writing about the real Africa today.’ Andrew Lycett, Sunday Times

‘Hartley always writes beautifully...gripping and intensely moving.’ James Astill, Guardian

From the Publisher:

Aidan Hartley is a brilliant young writer in the style of award-winners Dalrymple, Maclean and Marsden.

* Shortlisted for the prestigious Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-fiction.

* This book is a spiritual memoir, a fascinating travel journal and a work of riveting history - a non fiction The English Patient.

* Includes an informative and fascinating PS section with an author profile and essay by Hartley's fellow journalist in Africa, Johnathan Clayton.

About this edition

• Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Pr
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0871138719
• ISBN 13: 9780871138712
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320