Crossing the Heart of Africa

An Odyssey of Love and Adventure

by Julian Smith

On Sale: 12/07/2010

Crossing the Heart of Africa

An Odyssey of Love and Adventure

by Julian Smith

On Sale: 12/07/2010

Format:

About the Book

Banff Mountain Book Awards WINNER

The spellbinding true story of retracing the extraordinary trek of Ewart "the Leopard" Grogan—the legendary British explorer who, in order to win the woman he loved, attempted to become the first person to cross Africa

In 1898 the dashing British adventurer Ewart Grogan fell head-over-heels in love—but before he could marry, he needed the approval of his beloved's skeptical, aristocratic stepfather. Grogan, seeking to prove his worth and earn his love's hand, then set out on an epic quest to become the first man to cross the entire length of Africa, from Cape Town to Cairo, "a feat hitherto thought by many explorers to be impossible" (New York Times).

A little more than a century later, American journalist Julian Smith also found himself madly in love with his girlfriend of seven years... but he was terrified by the prospect of marraige. Inspired by Grogan's story, which he discovered by chance, Smith decided to face his fears of commitment by retracing the explorer's amazing—but now forgotten—4,500-mile journey for love and glory through Africa. Crossing the Heart of Africa is the unforgettable account of these twin adventures, as Smith beautifully ineterweaves his own contemporary journey with Grogan's larger-than-life tale of cannibal attacks, charging elephants, deadly jungles, and romantic triumph.

SOCIETY OF AMERICAN TRAVEL WRITERS WESTERN WRITING AWARDS WINNER: GOLD PRIZE (TRAVEL)

BANFF MOUNTAIN BOOK COMPETITION WINNER: SPECIAL JURY MENTION

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF JOURNALISTS AND AUTHORS AWARDS BEST-BOOK WINNER: MEMOIR

Critical Praise

SOCIETY OF AMERICAN TRAVEL WRITERS WESTERN WRITING AWARDS WINNER: GOLD PRIZE (TRAVEL) —

BANFF MOUNTAIN BOOK COMPETITION WINNER: SPECIAL JURY MENTION —

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF JOURNALISTS AND AUTHORS AWARDS BEST-BOOK WINNER: MEMOIR —

“Grogan would have been a fitting protagonist for Shakespeare ... an insightful and often uproarious romp. ... memorable ... sheds light on Grogan’s monumental feat, which is worthy of a revisit.” — Boston Globe

“Julian Smith, a talented travel writer, evokes Grogan, his adventures and his world with both insight and panache.” — Washington Post

“An extraordinary love story . . . [an] absolutely fascinating adventure” — GoNomad.com

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Resources

Product Details

  • ISBN: 9780061873478
  • ISBN 10: 0061873470
  • Imprint: Harper Perennial
  • On Sale: 12/07/2010
  • Pages: 352
  • List Price:18.50 CAD
  • BISAC1 : TRAVEL / Africa / East
  • BISAC2 : TRAVEL / Africa / Central
  • BISAC3 : FICTION / Historical
  • BISAC4 : FICTION / Action & Adventure
  • BISAC5 : TRAVEL / Africa / North

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