Take a photo of a barcode or cover
humvee 's review for:
West with the Night
by Beryl Markham
An interesting memoir of the life of Beryl Matkham, racehorse trainer, and early aviator
I listened to this book in unabridged audio book format (read by Anna Fields) and also reread sections in ebook format. The audio book is well done (though there is a quick reference to “CD 6” that betrays that this title was book on disc before being transferred to pure digital format. The book runs about 9 hours. I then skimmed the ebook to reread favorite passages and see the spelling for the names of people and places.
I had forgotten why I had requested this title from my local library, and so when I was listening to it, I was initially thinking “This fictional novel sure reads like a memoir!” When I got to my destination and climbed off my motorcycle, I then discovered that this was indeed a memoir penned by Beryl Markham. I must have come across the title because she was an early aviator, having taken to flying in British East Africa while growing up in the early 20th century (in what is now Kenya), and I like learning about daring exploits. The book was interesting, though reading memoirs from this time period gives one pause, when the author is so patronizing (& at times insulting) about indigenous African tribes. Learning about Beryl Markham’s childhood and professions as a racehorse trainer (taking after her very proficient father) and later as a bush pilot taking hunters out into remote areas to hunt big game was in truth fascinating.
The book ends with the author detailing her solo flight between Europe and North America. Without a doubt, Beryl Markham was an adventure seeker and lived an adventurous life. No doubt this is what drew me to placing a hold for her book from my library. I enjoyed the book.
I listened to this book in unabridged audio book format (read by Anna Fields) and also reread sections in ebook format. The audio book is well done (though there is a quick reference to “CD 6” that betrays that this title was book on disc before being transferred to pure digital format. The book runs about 9 hours. I then skimmed the ebook to reread favorite passages and see the spelling for the names of people and places.
I had forgotten why I had requested this title from my local library, and so when I was listening to it, I was initially thinking “This fictional novel sure reads like a memoir!” When I got to my destination and climbed off my motorcycle, I then discovered that this was indeed a memoir penned by Beryl Markham. I must have come across the title because she was an early aviator, having taken to flying in British East Africa while growing up in the early 20th century (in what is now Kenya), and I like learning about daring exploits. The book was interesting, though reading memoirs from this time period gives one pause, when the author is so patronizing (& at times insulting) about indigenous African tribes. Learning about Beryl Markham’s childhood and professions as a racehorse trainer (taking after her very proficient father) and later as a bush pilot taking hunters out into remote areas to hunt big game was in truth fascinating.
The book ends with the author detailing her solo flight between Europe and North America. Without a doubt, Beryl Markham was an adventure seeker and lived an adventurous life. No doubt this is what drew me to placing a hold for her book from my library. I enjoyed the book.