Riding the Demon: On the Road in West Africa

by Peter Chilson

Release Date: January, 1999

Edition: Hardcover

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More Colonial Nonsense

What most reviewers of "Riding the Demon" miss is the way in which the author metaphorizes Africa for his own "literary" ends. As non-Africans have done now for centuries, Chilson translates "Africa" into a useful tool for his own soul-searching-and pontificating. While in some respects the book may open western eyes to the complex that is "Africa," ultimately Chilson bends "Africa" to his purposes and authorial desires.

so, so...

This book was informative, but it is limited to "on the road". You'll hear about the bush taxis and their drivers, but will visit only a small part of the country. This book could have used a good editor -- there's some repetition -- and a better map. The map in the front of the book doesn't list all the towns, villages, etc. that were visited and doesn't name the adjacent countries. I thought it was worth reading, but disappointing.