Into the Heart of Borneo (Vintage Departures)

Yes and no. Yes, because these two old British stuffies set off on this journey just the way most "inexperienced" travelers would -- by the seat of their pants. No, because I think I would like a better idea of cuisine before I went. This charming narrative of two British amatuer travelers inspires humor and awe. Of course they get into all sorts of problems and handle them with dry wit. But they also give stunning and lyrical descriptions of the people and the places they visited. This was a living travel adventure without a tour-guide in sight. Best of all, our intrepid souls showed respect and genuine affection for the native peoples they met. I didn't see any bigotry in this book -- except that which they found in themselves and discarded with ease. Readers should be warned that many of the descriptions of the cultures they visited are very vivid and weak stomachs may not enjoy the unflintching pictures the story evokes.

This twenty-five year old tale of two Brits being transported by their faithful guides into the deepest jungle of Borneo is amusing and interesting. Redmond O'Hanlon and the smoking (as in smoking) James Fenton (improbably) the Queen's Poet Laureate embark on a journey to discover the highest mountain of Borneo and hopefully the white Rhino, possibly an island dweller and certainly unseen in decades. O'Hanlon takes a whimsical approach to this travelogue. The stars are his faithful tribal guides and the locals he meets as he journeys up river and away from modern life. Particularly enjoyable are the village stops where he and his crew are (usually) met with feasts, libations, dance and the occasional memory from the local chieftain's female relatives. The clash of cultures provides many funny moments without slipping into condescation. Although there is a lot of discussion of birds and waxing about the various properties of rushes, finches, yellow-bellied-sap-suckers and the like, the book is informative and interesting with the occasional chuckle thrown in. Altogether an enjoyable arm chair trip.

A national renown poet and an academic go on a primitive river voyage in the depths of south east Asia. What could go wrong? Conrad would have jumped ship.

O'Hanlon is a nature writer, an avid birder, and a very droll fellow. This is his first book and I put off reading it for a long time because i'm not really interested in Indonesia. I first read his Amazon book and while the first few chapters were rough going the rest was fantastic and I reread it often. His adventures in the North Atlantic also merit a look. I'm a real fan. Last summer I gave it my brother-in-law to read on the plane back to England; I was amazed he had not heard of him. It would be like not knowing who Stephen J Gould was in America since they both were regular contributors to well known environmental rags. Anyway since he was both an avid birder and worked in Indonesia for three years he also quickly became a fan. I'm sure you will too.

Had some points of interest but not the best travel-adventure-tropics book by far. They complain quite a bit and overall seem ill prepared and shallow.

It was a few years ago that I had the incredible opportunity to visit Sarawak and Sabah. I read several books but none gave me the information and real feel of the area as did this book. I highly recommend that you read and reread this rather incredible work, especially if you are heading out into the less traveled areas of this amazing land.

With the exception of the first two or three chapters and about 20% thereafter, this travelogue/jungle study is a real snooze. The best of the book begins on page two where a Major Malcolm explains the potential dangers that lie ahead for the men. It ends on page six. Perhaps you are best reading only those pages in the library and then putting this back on the shelf. One thing you will learn for sure if you make it halfway is that Bertram E. Smythies wrote "Birds of Borneo." The author refers to both about every five pages. If you are someone who likes knowing the Latin name for all species encountered on a trip through a jungle, you're in for a treat. If you are an ornithological aficionado or expert of any kind, this is no doubt a must read. But unless you are the kind of person who enjoys plowing their way through a tired, often confusing account written a man plodding through the jungle, I suggest you forget this one. Supposedly Redmond O'Hanlon has written better. Personally I'd try my luck with any number of other travelogue writers before trying another of his.

I just reviewed In Trouble, I read Borneo first, at recommend of Richard Dawkins, I loved both, please read them in sequence for full effect, great adventure and humor, I esp enjoyed his decriptive expertise and interest in birds and other wildlife.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book as i have an interest in exploring, jungle trekking and birds AND i have also visited and travelled around Sarawak, Borneo. From Redmond O'Hanlon's advice/experience prior to his trip, on jungle-craft from an SAS soldier and right through the chapters, with his notes on the actual birds and other wildlife seen...kept me hooked.

Entspricht in vollem Umfang meiner Erwartung. werde diese Möglichkeit gute, interessante Bücher anzuschauen und zu kaufen allen meinen Freunden, Nachbarn und Verwandten empfehlen

A good read but it failed to generate the thrill of adventure with unexpected twist and turns such a book is expected to provide. Facing the Congo' by Jeffrey Tayler also from Amazon was more satisfying in that respect.

ok

I bought it as a gift for my boyfriend who is not an avid reader. Yet he enjoyed it and finished it.