Worth The Trip - Rated 
Redmond manages to find humor in difficult circumstances without ridiculing or belittling those around him. Yes, the book is long, but well worth it. His ostensible reason for the trip is just a thin excuse, disappointing and surprising no one when it isn't "successful." The ending, I found entirely appropriate for a journey of this nature.
For anyone who has ever dreamed of adventure - Rated
This is the first O'Hanlon adventure I have read. I certainly will read his others. The book is a swirling, mesmerizing account of his trek through the swamp forest in search of a legendary dinosaur, of the natural wonders of the Congo and of his fears, thoughts and dreams. I found myself totally emersed in the vivid detail provided while telling his tale. I could see, hear and sense what he did. It had me dreaming of adventure and of writing so well about it! An awesome adventure and recounting of it!
Tedious for the Layman - Rated 
This is one of those travel narratives that takes a real commitment, 450 pages of densely set type in a hefty book. Unfortunately, it is also one of those books which I wish I had stopped reading after the first 100 pages. The author, a British biologist (I think) with a special interest in birds, and his friend, an American animal behaviorist set out to travel up the Congo River to seek out an isolated lake where an unusual creature is reported to have been seen. Sounds promising, but isn't. There is some interesting interaction with the locals they have to hire, bribe and coerce to guide them and allow them passage, but not enough for the amount of space expended. There's quite a bit of material about life in the small villages along the river and the the spirit world that is the keystone of the belief system. It all gets a little too touchy-feely for me, although I'm sure others will love it, and the payoff isn't satisfying in the least. Like the travelers in this adventure, by the end I was exhausted.
somebody tell Speilberg...this book should be a movie! - Rated
This book is written in dialogue and description, I felt like I was there...and feel like I know the people very well. I believe it's much deeper than a first read justifies. The juxtapositioning of the African spirit world with other organized religious belief is fascinating (and respectful). I would love to know how Redmond and Lary are faring healthwise after this adventure...is Redmond spending a lot of time in his fetish house...and did the baby gorilla beat the odds. In other words, give me more, more, more!
Loved it!!!! - Rated
I found this book so interesting and humouroslyinformative ,that halfway through it I ordered O'Hanlons "Borneo" book online! I felt I was with O'Hanlon and crew in the Congo and after finishing this book I know longer take lifes little pleasures for granted.
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