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  • To Timbuktu for a Haircut

  • A Journey Through West Africa
  • Written by: Rick Antonson
  • Narrated by: James Conlan
  • Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins
  • 5.0 out of 5 stars (2 ratings)

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To Timbuktu for a Haircut

Written by: Rick Antonson
Narrated by: James Conlan
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Publisher's Summary

"Although Timbuktu exists, there is a common belief that it is, in fact, nowhere." 

Timbuktu: the African city known to legend as a land of scholars, splendor and mystery, a golden age in the Sahara Desert. But to many it is a vaguely recognizable name - a flippant tag for "the most remote place on earth." With this fabled city as his goal, author Rick Antonson began a month-long trek. His initial plan? To get a haircut. 

Aided by an adventuresome spirit, Rick endures a 45-hour train ride, a swindling travel agent, "Third World, three-lane" roads, rivers, and a flat deck ferry boat before finally reaching Timbuktu. Rick narrates the history of this elusive destination through the teachings of his Malian guide Zak, and encounters with stranded tourists, a camel owner, a riverboat captain, and the people who call Timbuktu home. 

Antonson’s eloquence and quiet wit highlight the city’s myths - the centuries old capital and traveler’s dream - as well as its realities: A city gripped by poverty, where historic treasures lie close to the sands of destruction. Indeed, some 700,000 ancient manuscripts remain there, endangered. Both a travelogue and a history of a place long forgotten, To Timbuktu for a Haircut emerges as a plea to preserve the past and open cultural dialogues on a global scale. 

The second edition of this important book outlines the volatile political situations in Timbuktu following the spring 2012 military coup in Mali and the subsequent capture of the city by Islamic extremists. Literally, it is a race against time to save the city’s irreplaceable artifacts, mosques, and monuments, and to understand why Timbuktu’s past is essential to the future of Africa.

©2008 Rick Antonson (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

What the critics say

“Rick Antonson’s classic travel memoir.” (Chicago Tribune)

“Anyone planning a trip to Africa should put Antonson’s book on their packing list right after malaria tablets.” (National Post)

“The remarkable combination of Rick Antonson exploring the ancient mysteries of Timbuktu matched with the rich culture of Mali that he captures so well...makes a page-turner from start to finish.” (Jerry W. Bird, editor, Africa Travel Magazine)

“Great characters, great stories, and truly great adventures. Not to mention...a great read.” (Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor, CBS News) 

What listeners say about To Timbuktu for a Haircut

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Magical journey and a great travel adventure!

Cute title that gets you curious about why you would go to a place you think is fictional for a haircut. Timbuktu is real and the experiences are quite interesting, especially with recent news of Islamic fundamentalists rein of terror and destruction.

How do you even get to Mali and then how do you go to Timbuktu is an amazing tale and the characters the author met along of the way. being careful he was not to be taken advantaged by.

There is a good flow between the travel, history and the interesting characters that weave their way through the story line.

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A Very Interesting Adventure Story

All the adventure without leaving the comfort of your home or car. Sit tight and read on....

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