Not only is this poorly written and sophmoric it is hard to believe that a publisher would actully try to sell it (I found an old copy at a hostel in Africa. I found out why only the first 25 pages had been read) If you are serious about Africa, the experience it can provide, or want to have a really good armchair travel experience read ANYTHING else...It is just that bad

I found this book to be very well written. An interesting narrative of an amazing continent. The history, the adventure, the essence... it's all there. I read it 3 months before leaving for an extended stay in East Africa. It was an excellent review and preparation for the adventures I was soon to experience. I have recommended it to everyone! Just like the Ascanio's, Africa is still inside of me, and I can't wait to go back!

One of the most down-to-earth books about Africa that you'll find. The Ascanios sold everything they owned to finance a year, mostly on foot, in Central Africa. Their bodies have returned, but their spirits remain in Africa with the people they learned to love.

The Ascanios start their journey knowing nothing, not even --almost -- how to stay alive. But they learn, and you learn with them.

This book attempts to fill a gap, for real travelers as well as the armchair variety (the latter will be better served). Beware that any such book will quickly become obsolete as conditions and countries' practices change.

Several years ago the publisher (Bradt) sent me a query on writing a portion of a book covering this topic, since I had ridden the southernmost 10,000 km of the Panamerican Highway and worked in part of the affected region. To cover this enormous territory a team of writers is almost essential. Bradt had the opportunity to consolidate the commentaries of several good writers experienced in this subject area, as they typically do in other guides.

But this book fell short of Bradt's usual success, and it was disappointing to see the result : too much personal opinion and railing at the darkness and local customs. For a better, more concise, and arguably more up-to-date approach to the fundamental issues of driving in Latin America, try the South American Handbook and a membership to the South American Explorers Club (SAEC), who can offer both WWW/online driving data as well as driving information packages (Bradt, this book's publisher, handles membership in the SAEC in the UK). --Andreu Bruixot