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The Black Nile: One Man's Amazing Journey Through Peace and War on the World's Longest River Audiobook
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(3.04) - 198 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Investigative journalist Dan Morrison hired a boat builder, summoned a childhood buddy, and set out paddling from Jinja, Uganda, down the White Nile toward Cairo. Four thousand miles, two companions, and several other means of local conveyance later, he emerged on the Mediterranean. The story Morrison tells of this spectacular—and spectacularly harrowing—journey is a mash-up of narrative travel writing, investigative reportage, and current history, resulting in a thoughtful, funny, and frightful trip across a region whose people are trying to claw their way from war and poverty to something better.
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"A very thought-provoking story of Morrison's journey from Lake Victoria to Rosetta, on the Mediterranean Sea, passing through Uganda, Sudan, and Egypt. The main thing I learned is that I knew essentially nothing of these nations' history, culture, or geography. Also, sadly, though the name "Nile" evokes a sense of the romance of far-off places, crocodiles, Pharoahs, and Egyptian treasures, today's Nile is far more likely to mean tawdry river ports, poverty, disease-bearing insects, pollution, garbage, and endless, heartbreaking violence. Eye-opening and very much a learning experience for me."
— Karen (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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The Black Nile ...excels in bringing the place, politics and history of this fragile region alive.
— Boston Globe -
“[A] portrait of a fractured country just one spark away from a renewal of hostilities.”
— New York Times -
“This is hard-core African travel.”
— Wall Street Journal -
“A masterful narrative of investigative reportage, travel writing, and contemporary history.”
— Daily Beast -
“With sympathetic acuity about the personalities, tribal societies, and mechanical ingenuity of those he encounters, Morrison crafts impressions that will teach travelogue readers much about contemporary Sudan. There’s enough amusement to balance the seriousness of politics, such that when visa problems interrupt Morrison’s journey, his audience will stay to see if he reaches the sea.”
— Booklist
The Black Nile Listener Reviews
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" I grew tired of this book half way thru and returned it to the library. It was ok as it was well written but the author's smug worldliness got boring and I decided to move on. "
— Harley, 1/24/2014 -
" Don't pay much attention to the subtitle, or even the book description. This is about Morrison's travels through Uganda, Sudan and Egypt...sometimes by boat, but more often in a land vehicle. It's a fascinating glimpse into what it's like to travel through a region that has been devastated by environental issues, war, and political intrigue. It is not a history of the region, nor is it a traditional travelogue. Go into it with an open mind and you might just find yourself amazed (by Morrison's nerve), intrigued (by the region) and entertained (by the writing and the adventures). "
— softdrink, 12/12/2013 -
" I just started this book and I really can't put it down. I didn't want to stop reading when I got to work after my Metro commute. It's such a vivid lens Morrison is bringing to this part of the world that I know nothing about -- but the most unexpected part for me is the humor. I gather the ride gets rougher later, but I'm really all in for that ride after just a few pages. "
— Diane, 12/2/2013 -
" I got this book as an advanced reader copy from Firstreads. I was disappointed with this book. I felt like the first half was spent telling us what he spent on his trip. The second half was better because he actually started talking to some of the local people after his friend left the expedition. I liked the map at the front, because I could look at it to see where he was and how he was progressing. After 2/3 of the book, he was about halfway through his trip, so the end was wrapped up in a very rushed fashion. I wish I new the characters better at the end of the book. At first, I was enjoying the conversational style of the writing, but by the end I was frustrated by how superficially everything was handled. "
— Sonja, 11/25/2013 -
" I enjoyed reading this author's account of his travels through Africa. It was a little difficult to keep track of the various political entities and ethnic groups, though. I am not very knowledgable about the political situation in the countries he visited, so the book was educational, as well as entertaining. His descriptions of the people and of the countryside really brought them to life. He also gave some cultural background on the different ethnic groups that he interacted with. The book covered the story of the Nile, past and present, as well as the people, the politics, culture, and beauty of the landscape. "
— Gail, 11/21/2013 -
" good history of Sudan conflict and how people live along the Nile River "
— Jackie, 11/12/2013 -
" This book was really amazing look at a man's journey and how it showed him what Nile life is in Sudan and Egypt. It also dives into how the river has been effected by damming and fishing. "
— Tj, 9/30/2013 -
" Interesting but in no way profound or "amazing' (from the title - I suspect the publishers and not the author are to blame for that!). Made me feel thankful for my life of privilege. "
— Barry, 10/27/2012 -
" Need to set this one aside for a bit to cope with work (so many student Fulbright essays to read, so little time), but so far, excellent. Will look forward to picking it up again later this fall. "
— Elizabeth, 9/3/2012 -
" Years ago I read 'The White Nile' and 'The Blue Nile' by Alan Morehead. This book is about a recent journey down the White Nile, the Nile as it is today. Fascinating. "
— Nicole, 8/29/2012 -
" I had hopes of getting some good info... here we are on the eve of Southern Sudan gaining independence and the unfolding of it is all through his book. In...stead I get some Bill Bryson wanna-be burbling BS. "
— Helen, 6/20/2012 -
" Dan Morrison travels from Uganda to Cairo, mostly on the Nile. I really enjoyed this travelogue. It is also very current, published in 2010. "
— Leah, 5/22/2012 -
" I was expecting more of an adventure story, and less of a political essay. "
— Edmund, 10/9/2011 -
" I grew tired of this book half way thru and returned it to the library. It was ok as it was well written but the author's smug worldliness got boring and I decided to move on. "
— Harley, 11/28/2010 -
" Years ago I read 'The White Nile' and 'The Blue Nile' by Alan Morehead. This book is about a recent journey down the White Nile, the Nile as it is today. Fascinating. "
— Nicole, 10/24/2010 -
" I was expecting more of an adventure story, and less of a political essay. "
— Edmund, 10/21/2010
About Dan Morrison
Dan Morrison has written for the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, San Francisco Chronicle, US News & World Report, and the Christian Science Monitor, as well as for NPR, the Fox News Channel, and National Geographic News.
About Sean Runnette
Sean Runnette, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, has also directed and produced more than two hundred audiobooks, including several Audie Award winners. He is a member of the American Repertory Theater company and has toured the United States and internationally with ART and Mabou Mines. His television and film appearances include Two If by Sea, Cop Land, Sex and the City, Law & Order, the award-winning film Easter, and numerous commercials.