I realy enjoyed this travelogue telling the story of Langewiesche's journey through the Sahara, starting at the port of Algiers. Langweische travels south along the Trans-Saharan Highway through all of Algeria, then heads East to travel through Niger, Mali, and on to Senegal. Along the way he meets many interesting (and some treacherous people) and does a great job of describing the sights and feelints the Sahara desert inspired in him.

This was quite an epic journey, and one I was very interested in reading about.

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This is a travel book about the desert and it is amazing how well the author describes what the area makes one feel. There are a couple genuine adventures, some comments on people he meets which might read a little patronizing, some history of the region, and a lot of his day to day travail getting places in an unwelcoming environment. That may sound boring - but it isn't! I always love Langewiesche and this is no exception, in fact it may be my favorite thus far. Perhaps I'm impressed because my prior knowledge of the Sahara desert was very limited, however I'm not buying his impressions as being 100% written-in-stone 'correct.' They are, after all, one man's impressions and opinions. What was overwhelming to me was his ability to grip you with simple details and everyday events so that the reader isn't looking forward to the next 'big one.' You are drifting along the desert landscape feeling what the scenery makes you feel.

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Life in the Sahara: what it means, what it's like, and the people who live there.

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