Dark Star Safari: overland from Cairo to Capetown by Paul Theroux

Theroux revisits many of the places he lived and worked as a Peace Corps volunteer and teacher in the 1960s. He argues theology with Christian missionaries, visits natives, aid workers, and tourists. His anecdotes are entertaining but with a serious undertone, as they shed light on the political and social chaos of many of the African nations. He visits the homes of fellow authors Naguib Mafouz and Nadine Gordimer. As a priest observes to him, "Wonderful people. Terrible government. The African story." A memorable book.