A fascinating and often hair-raising tale, mixing historical narrative of Stanley's epic journey with the author's own incredible -- and incredibly dangerous -- travels by motorbike and riverboat down the Congo. His reflections on his own journey, his travelling companions and on the future of this broken land twist are by turns humorous and despairing, and reflect his understanding and deep attachment to Africa. Anyone with a love of Africa, or who has ever travelled there or wanted to, should not miss this book.