Bryson wit coupled with a real message from Africa. My son is on an ROTC 3-month trip to Tanzania. He commented to me that at dinner last week, the power went out, and nobody in their 30-person group blinked an eye. No storm caused this. But being there for 2 months made them realize that electricity outage can happen any time. Bill explains the reality of REAL life where people live day-to-day amidst the contrasting buffet tables in the community nearby. This short book wrapped me into a single-session read while going on a walk. You read about people that just want a chance to work hard and help their children. Very inspirational. This should be required reading for high school students. They would like the writing style as they learn!

A great way to spend an hour or so. This small book included all of Bryson’s wit as well as the same excellent travel writing. Bryson’s childhood images of Africa pretty much correlated to mine (i.e., Jungle Jim and Tarzan movies) but his trip to Africa brought him reality as he witnessed the extreme poverty and needs of the African people. I was a little disappointed that the book wasn’t a little longer but I enjoyed it nonetheless! The royalties from this book go to CARE and since I read it for free, when payroll deductions come round at the end of the year, I will be sure to make a donation.

I say, five stars because all the proceeds went to charity. Good job Bill Bryson and thanks for your work!

The writing was fun to read, as usual, because reading Bill Bryson is like having a chat with a friend.

This very brief travelogue offers a peek into Kenya - but mostly it’s publicizing CARE International.

This was a sweet read--a little "off-Bryson" but in a nice way. He wrote this book to benefit CARE which helps Kenyans establish a better world to live in... Interesting descriptions of people, villages, and flights in small aircraft.

This book is, essentially, a fundraiser for CARE International. But situated between some pretty dismal facts about Kenya, is Bill's trademark humor and his ability to find joy wherever he goes. If you don't own a copy, buy one. Better yet, buy two and donate one to your public library.

“It’s amazing how long it took aid agencies to figure out that people really, really don’t want dependency. They want to help themselves. “
A short story really that is meant as a promotional article for CARE International it seams. Good intent if course. The author explains the importance and need for such organizations with a newcomers visit and view.

First of all, this is not a book. It's a diary. Bryson recounts his 8 days in Kenya with members of CARE International. And that's 7 days longer than I'd want to be there. What a dreadful place! Poverty, crime, hunger, lack of sanitation, no clean water, disease, corrupt government and a hostile climate.
Some of the other reviewers on Goodreads fault Bryson for not covering enough ground, but I disagree. You don't need to read 300 pages to see the terrible conditions in which these people live EVERY DAY OF THEIR LIVES! This short "booklet" is enough to make the point. And if you read between the lines you will notice that Bryson runs us through a gamut of emotions ranging from humor before the journey, to fear about the trip, to disgust upon arrival, to sympathy when connecting with the locals, to enlightenment when he understands that the solution to the problems are within reach.
I checked out the Kindle edition from the Chicago Public Library at no charge so I am donating $10 to Care.org to cover the donation that would have gone to them with a bookstore purchase. If you read my review and read a Kindle edition please do the same. We CAN make a difference. Thank you.

Short, sweet, and enlightening

Bryson does eight days in Kenya on behalf of the charity CARE. As much as he admits you can only get so much of an impression from that kind of quick jaunt, the admiration shown by Bryson towards CARE and its charitable efforts is admirable, if only because you get a sense it's genuine.

I got this book from the library but it is actually a fund raiser for CARE. My daughter has been to Africa twice and visited some of the same towns that he visited which is why I checked out the book. My daughter always takes "care" packages with her filled with personal hygiene items when she goes so it was interesting to see what CARE does for the people of Africa. It is good for Americans to read about other countries and how the people survive on so little. It is an easy read and I recommend it.

Very sad situation.

Kenya is a beautiful country. It's hard to believe that a huge population of its people live in slums. They seem to be a hardworking group of human beings and hopefully will overcome.

Bill Bryson, travel writer extraordinaire, wrote this book to support CARE. He travelled to Africa and shares his diary of the eight day trip. All proceeds from the book go to CARE, an organization that supports people in Africa. They e helped to provide clean water and schooling, among other things for people who don’t have the advantages that we do. You can go to care.org to find out more.