Botswana Time

I really enjoyed this book. I wanted to get a better feel for the country as I would like to spend some time in Africa contributing "something" to the people & wildlife.

The book is a delightful trip, very well observed. If you want a really good review then read the comprehensive one written by Andrew McGregor Black Isle Books as it tells you all you need to know.

What was particularly appealing to me was the enjoyment, enthusiasm and honesty of Mr Randall & his school children. It was fantastic to get a feel for how much could be achieved by teachers even with virtually no facilities. Just brilliant teaching & unending enthusiasm.

If you happen to have read any of my other reviews you will have seen that I read a lot of political books as I am in despair for the UK. I wont turn this into a rant, but its worth making the point that in this book you can see what a difference committed and enthusiastic teachers make with virtually no resources, so why do we have to spend billions of £s in the UK on buildings that may improve education by a nominal %, when surely we need scores of Mr Randall who can make education fun and memorable, and become a lifetime activity.

This book was a joy from 1st to last page. It is certainly not a book about teaching, as this is just is part of his travel story. For me, it was very uplifting and I wholeheartedly recommend the book

Wonderfully evocative (0/0 people found this helpful)

Being compared to Bill Bryson is rarely helpful for any writer as they then get compared directly to Bryson's particular writing style and brand of wit and never quite seem to measure up. In his own way, however, Will Randall is just as accomplished an author and 'Botswana Time' is a wonderfully uplifting book that deserves a wider readership.

Having been to Africa myself several times (though never to Botswana) I could really picture the landscapes described and relate to the natural warmth and optimism of people, especially the children. It must have been a heck of a wrench to eventually leave the school in Kasane where he taught.

Whilst in the book there is an undercurrent of living an idyllic life (teaching delightful kids desperate to learn, living in a remote house surrounded by African nature in all its double-edged magnificence), to his credit Will Randall does not flinch from the darker sides of life in Africa which he also came across in his time there, including the decimating effect of HIV that hits so many families and the appalling attitudes held by some (but by no means all) of the white ex-pats towards their African contemporaries. Well worth a read.

Botswana Time (0/0 people found this helpful)

This is a five star read. If you have read Alexander McCall Smith's No1 Ladies Detective Agency books you will enjoy this alternative view of Botswana. The people are the same; good or bad they are always enjoyable to read about.

Will Randall travels to far away places with no plans in mind and follows his fate or luck! His descriptions of landscapes and people allow you to enter in to the journey and leads you along a journey that you sorry comes to an end.

Highly recommended.

Tony

A wonderfully entertaining read (2/2 people found this helpful)

My whole family (including my 10 year old) have now read this book. He is a very good writer who observes Botswana with a discerning eye but with a lightness of touch. It's just a great story, whether you knew anything about Botswana beforehand or not. Having spent some time there, I can attest to the accuracy of his presentation of it, and it made me want to go back. It is packed with enough incident and story and insight, that it is much more than a simple travelogue. I will certainly hunt out more of his books.

great insight (1/1 people found this helpful)

this book will give anybody travelling to Botswana an insight into the culture. i absolutely loved it and it made me sit back and truely appreciate the country. Have lived here all my life and sometimes take it for granted. I tend to get frustrated that things don't happen fast enough or with the efficiency of the first world. Reading this book made me appreciate how unique Africa is and that the world would be a very boring place if everywhere was the same. Thanks Mr Randall, for teaching me how to love my country and people a little more!

Will Randall

Reader Reviews:

Lovely heartwarming book (1/1 people found this helpful)

Wonderfully evocative (0/0 people found this helpful)

Botswana Time (0/0 people found this helpful)

A wonderfully entertaining read (2/2 people found this helpful)

great insight (1/1 people found this helpful)

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