Wednesday, November 07, 2012


The authors of several of my favorite books have something in common. They were early 20th century pilots (or in Dinesen's case, passenger) writing about the experience and the machinery of flight. And, they offer stories of life in early 20th century Africa from the perspective of westerners (sometimes sensitive, and sometimes not).

African Stories by Doris Lessing
West with the Wind by Beryl Markham
Out of Africa by Isaak Dinesen
Vol de Nuit (Night Flight) by Antoine de St Exupery
Du Vent, du Sable, et des Etoiles (Wind, Sand, and Stars) by Antoine de St Exupery

I've often thought these books could make a seminar with grist. They are a fine read, and the prose can flow like poetry from the realms of the sky and the great continent of Africa.

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