|
|
|
|
||
|
HELP | |
|
  $10.95 List price:
Used Hardcover
Ships in 1 to 3 days
This title in other formats:Skeletons on the Zahara: A True Story of Survivalby Dean King
Synopses & ReviewsPublisher Comments:On a calm May morning in 1815, Captain James Riley and the crew of the Commerce left port in Connecticut for an ordinary trading voyage. They could never have imagined what awaited them.
Their nightmare began with a dreadful shipwreck off the coast of Africa, a hair-raising confrontation with hostile native tribesmen within hours of being washed ashore, and a hellish confinement in a rickety longboat as they tried, without success, to escape the fearsome coast. Eventually captured by desert nomads and sold into slavery, Riley and his men were dragged along on an insane journey through the bone-dry heart of the Sahara-a region unknown to Westerners. Along the way the Americans would encounter everything that could possibly test them: barbarism, murder, starvation, plagues of locusts, death, sandstorms that lasted for days, dehydration, and hostile tribes that roamed the desert on armies of camels. They would discover ancient cities and secret oases. They would also discover a surprising bond between a Muslim trader and an American sea captain, men who began as strangers, were forced to become allies in order to survive, and, in the tempering heat of the desert, became friends-even as the captain hatched a daring betrayal in order to save his men. From the cold waters of the Atlantic to the searing Saharan sands, Skeletons on the Zahara is a spectacular odyssey through the extremes. Destined to become a classic among adventure narratives, Dean King's masterpiece is an unforgettable tale of survival, courage, and brotherhood. Review:"Dean King has brought to life one of the great, true-life adventure stories-a riveting tale of suffering and redemption."
Nathaniel Philbrick, author of In the Heart of the Sea and Sea of Glory Review:"Skeletons of the Zahara is an amazing, mind-boggling story of courage and endurance, rivaling Shackleton's drama and surpassing Krakauer's climb on Everest. This is history boldly told with a novelist's eye for the scorching detail."
Doug Stanton, author of In Harm's Way Review:"A narrative of chilling miseries and harrowing adventure, Dean King's telling leaves nothing unexplored in the slavery and rescue of American sailors on the blasted sands of the Sahara. The unbelievable is made believable, and the incomprehensible as glaring as the desert sun."
David L. Robbins, author of Last Citadel Review:"This incredibly true tale exposes its band of shipwrecked Americans to the most extreme tests of cruelty, savagery, and their own will to survive. Best of all, though, are the sweet notes of nobility and kindness that transcend culture, language, and the burning sands."
Charles Slack, author of Noble Obsession Review:"A grand book."
Dr. D. J. Ratcliffe, Emeritus Reader, History Department, University of Durham Review:"A jaw-dropping story kept on edge, along with the reader: exquisite and excruciating screw-turning."
Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Review:"King's aggressively researched account of the {Commerce] crew's once-famous ordeal reads like historical fiction....[Skeletons on the Zahara] impresses with its pacing, thoroughness and empathy for the plight of a dozen sailors."
Publishers Weekly (starred review) Review:"This account of twelve Americans shipwrecked in North Africa in 1815, enslaved by nomads, and then hauled along on a Dantean odyssey through the desert, is scalding enough to induce vicarious dehydration."
Men's Journal Synopsis:Includes bibliographical references (p. 335-340) and index.
About the AuthorAn authority on nautical literature and history, Dean King has written nine books, including the much-admired biography, Patrick O'Brian: A Life. An enthusiastic adventurer, King has sailed from New York to Bermuda on a square-rigged ship, walked across England and Wales, and hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc. He has written for many publications, including Esquire, Men's Journal, New York, Outside, and the New York Times. He lives in Richmond, Virginia, with his wife and four daughters. Table of ContentsPart 1 : Acts of God — Part 2 : Ships of the sand — Part 3 : Journeys and sandstorms — Part 4 : A slow rush to Swearah — Epilogue : Homecomings — Appendix : The publishing of Riley's narrative — Glossary of Arabic terms — Notes.
What Our Readers Are SayingAdd a comment for a chance to win!
Average customer rating based on 1 comment: | |||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Don't Miss
