{"product_id":"facing-the-congo-a-modern-day-journey-into-the-heart-of-darkness-9780609808269","title":"Facing the Congo: A Modern-Day Journey into the Heart of Darkness","description":"Faced with an identity crisis in his work and his life, seasoned traveler and journalist Jeffrey Tayler made a bold decision. He would leave behind his mundane existence in Moscow to re-create the legendary British explorer Henry Stanley's trip down the Congo in a dugout canoe, stocked with food, medicine, and even a gun-toting guide. But once his tiny boat pushed off the banks of this mysterious river, Tayler realized he was in a place where maps and supplies would have no bearing on his survival. As Tayler navigates this immense waterway, he encounters a land of smothering heat and intense rains, wary villagers, corrupt officials and dead-eyed soldiers demanding bribes, jungle animals, mosquitoes, and, surprisingly, breathtaking natural beauty. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFilled with honesty and rich description, \u003cb\u003eFacing the Congo\u003c\/b\u003e is a sophisticated depiction of today's Democratic Republic of the Congo, a country brought to its knees by a succession of despotic leaders. But most mportant, Tayler's stunning narrative is a deeply satisfying personal journey of fear and awakening, with a message that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt compelled, whether in life or in fantasy, to truly explore and experience our world.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJEFFREY TAYLER is the author of \u003cb\u003eSiberian Dawn: A Journey Across the New Russia\u003c\/b\u003e. He writes for \u003ci\u003eCondé Nast Traveler\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eSpin\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eHarper's\u003c\/i\u003e, and other publications and is a commentator on NPR's All Things Considered. Two of his essays appear in the inaugural edition of \u003cb\u003eThe Best American Travel Writing\u003c\/b\u003e. He lives in Russia.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Crown Publishing Group (NY)","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50514266554642,"sku":"9780609808269","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_5a433852-a667-4612-a88e-29587cab2b3f.jpg?v=1730977551","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/facing-the-congo-a-modern-day-journey-into-the-heart-of-darkness-9780609808269","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}