Description
A story across the millennia of human evolution, from our animal past to the point where Homo sapiens leave Africa. Episodes of crocodiles, apes, and human nature. A journey through Africa to places and peoples unknown and obscure. An adventure across civilisations by a Swiss diplomat with a penchant for the human condition in Africa and the West.
Dominik Langenbacher started his professional career as a Swiss diplomat in Africa. In 1981, in Zaïre, today Congo-Kinshasa, at 30 years old, he was a diplomatic trainee. In 2016, when he retired at 65 in Kenya, he was the Swiss Ambassador to Somalia. In between, he gallivanted the African continent, following his adventurous side and playfully exploring the origins of humanity, from Ethiopia to South Africa, from Tunisia to Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon – always keeping an eye on America and Europe.
In all his travels, he wanted to find out where the distinctions in life, culture, and values that he observed originate. It is an intriguing read, fused with anthropology, sociology, spirituality, and anything else human.
Prepare for some joyful reading that will get you to know things you never imagined.
Nancy –
This is a book you never thought you needed until you flip the first few pages. The author, who has been a diplomat in Africa for about 4 decades, takes you through the African continent sharing the known, unknown, captivating, and engrossing features of Africa. How well do you know Africa? What comes to the mind of a non-African when Africa is mentioned to them? They will probably say Safaris, wildlife, or the fantastic weather. In Dominik Langenbacher’s book, he goes deeper and writes about hidden gems and the beauty of Africa that is not exhibited in mainstream media and your usual Africa-themed books. The author started his diplomatic career when he was 30 years old in Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo). He worked for 35 years across different African nations and retired at 65 in Kenya. Having been in the continent for many years, who better to give an expat experience of the African continent and people other than Dominik Langenbacher?
Prepare to take an adventurous virtual tour once you start reading this book. Langenbacher starts us off by writing about crocodiles. Fun fact, did you know that the Nile crocodile is Africa’s largest predator? The author shares tales about crocodiles, their aggression, and how humans are terrified but simultaneously hypnotized by the reptiles. You will read about dinosaurs, learn obscure facts about evolution, and immerse yourself in stories about human origin, evolution, and the animal world.
What land and features of Africa do you know of? Langenbacher takes the reader through an amusing geography class, listing significant features in the north, south, east, and west of Africa. This section of the book is a must-read for the ‘Africa is a country’ crowd. Every page highlights how extensive and eclectic different regions of Africa are. As an avid reader, I expect to enjoy a book that is entertaining, enlightening, and not bland. Monotony happens when authors write about a topic without doing much research and when they make simple writing appear technical–This style of writing is not displayed in the book. I must applaud Langenbacher for he understands his readers. He made the reading experience a delight by using conversational language and being engaging. I also love that he includes bits of his life, sharing experiences and engaging the reader like a friend. This approach makes his book charming and stimulating to read.
You will learn dozens of attributes about Madagascar, Senegal, Tanzania, Mozambique, Congo, Somalia, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Botswana, Morocco, Namibia, Kenya, Mauritania, Chad, Uganda, Sudan, and many other countries. Natives will especially love this book because Langenbacher does not portray Africa in the typical manner the Western world has been depicting it. The former diplomat barely focuses on the poverty, (which is experienced worldwide) in Africa. He does not stress his writing on everyday struggles. Langenbacher writes about the rich and diverse culture, intriguing politics, and mesmerizing social life in the global south. He writes about the magnificent African landscapes, the stunning flora and fauna, and the warmth of the people he has interacted with. I applaud him for the positivity, and for sharing his raw experiences. Most of the writing in the book is about Africa, but the reader will also relish reading about European and American stories and experiences. ‘In and Outside Africa’ is an excellent book that can also be a handbook if you plan on traversing the lovely African continent.