Updated
October 15, 2003
Michael Tomkinson's Gambia
This is the best book currently available on the Gambia, there is a Directory included with the hardback version making it well worth the additional few pounds the paperback version sells in Gambia from around £10, the hardback version £13.50 in the UK.
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from the 300 pictures illustrating this book
This is more of a coffee table book than a guide to carry round with you on holiday. In A4 format, with 127 beautifully illustrated pages this book offers a visual treat on almost every page. The accompanying text is excellent, realistic and brilliantly informative.
I never managed to get hold of the first edition published in 1987, but this one has been fully revised and republished in 2000. If you know of a copy of the original, I would love to get a copy for my book shelf.
It is available in paperback ISBN 0 9055000 59 8 - £10.95
and in hardback ISBN 0 9055000 64 4 - £13.50 with pull out supplement
on hotels and lodges. (see below)
The book is divided into 14 chapters and an introduction, it covers Geography, Climate, Agriculture, Vegetation, Wildlife, Government, Population, Religion, Dress, Names and Language, Bibliography and History, Handicrafts, Music and Wrestling.
The final section of the book 'Banjul and Beyond', deals with the touristy bit as well and as interestingly as any book I have seen.
I only wish that this had been the first book on the Gambia that I had found. On the other hand, I have enjoyed all the others and finding this one has been the icing on the cake - the other way round and I would have had many disappointments.
If you have visited The Gambia and want a beautiful and evocative reminder of it, go no further - this is definitely the book to buy. If you intend to visit, then read this before you go, no book is as good as the real thing but this one will wet your appetite to explore the real and hidden Gambia.
Thank you Michael for the very best around.
Directory with Hardback version only
The 24 page directory is just brilliant, it's leading article surveys in brief the travel industry, highlighting the scams, the current turmoil (pre September 11th) and the self interest that provides services to holiday makers but hardly serves third world countries like The Gambia.
Insert boxes reveal the secrets of 'Travel Agents' and 'Tour Operators' the 'Duty Free' hype and the Visa nightmare if you invite a Gambian to visit the UK.
Airlines are detailed, package holiday operators are described in detail with an insert on the education scam that costs both sponsors and hopeful locals thousands of pounds each year..
The main part of the directory (spanning 15 pages), provides a very no nonsence review of all the main hotels and lodges throughout the country around 80 establishments are reviewed.
In short this directory is NOTHING SHORT of excellent.
See the other books available from good bookshops or direct from Gambia Experience on 020380 730888
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