Folio Archives 289: Travels with Herodotus by Ryszard Kapuściński 2012

Travels with Herodotus by Ryszard Kapuściński 2012

This is a tale of two journeys – that of the Polish journalist Ryszard Kapuściński (1932-2007) as he travels the globe in the 1960s from the Congo to China, Senegal to India and most places in between as a reporter for a minor Polish newspaper; and the travels of Herodotus that Kapuściński reads and re-reads as he wanders across the globe and relates the experiences of Herodotus to his own.

If you thought reading the full Herodotus was too much (it isn’t, it is fascinating) then this book is for you, as Kapuściński uses interesting extracts from The Histories to illustrate the similarities between his 20th. Century travel and philosophy of life against those of Herodotus 2500 years earlier. At 231 pages this is a very easily read and fascinating book.

There is a five page introduction by Margaret Atwood and a frontispiece and 16 pages of rather random bound-in monochrome photos by the author. The book is three-quarter bound in light-blue buckram, with a pale-grey paper cover printed with a monochrome photograph by the author. The endpapers and slipcase (26.1x18.1cm.) are dark blue.





































An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.

Shah of Shahs (Szachinszach from the original Polish title) by the same author is another book published by FS in 2019, and still available.

One of my favourite "standard" FS editions, simple and well-done, and I am a long-term admirer of Kapuscinski so this was a must-buy when it was launched.

Both of the FS issued Kapuscinski books are really great reads.

>1 wcarter:

Travels With Herodotus is an overlooked FS gem. Ryszard Kapuściński was one of the great world correspondents who naturally gravitated to the world's most dangerous and interesting trouble spots. He was also an outstanding photographer and this edition is illustrated with his photos.

This is a must have for FSD-ers.

>5 dlphcoracl: I second this. Although I don't read much travel writing I have started to reread his books. The amount of times he escaped death during his travels always amazes me. Although unlikely I hope Folio publishes The Shadow of the Sun and Imperium.

>6 Joshbooks1: Hear, hear! Would love more FS editions, those two in particular.

Another shout-out for Kapuściński and Travels with Herodotus. The Herodotus passages were a little too lengthy for me since I'm familiar with the work, but the passages with Kapuściński's personal travel experiences are pure gold. The Shah of Shahs is also a good book, recommended.

I wish FS publishes The Emperor: Downfall of an Autocrat, but I won't complain if they do any other Kapuściński.

>6 Joshbooks1:

In view of Vladimir Putin's actions, both past and present, and his maniacal rant in today's Kremlin address to his faithful lackeys, an FS edition of Kapuściński's Imperium would be both timely and interesting.

>9 dlphcoracl: But why publish something relevant by a superb author when we can get more spider man?!?

>10 Joshbooks1:

Silly me. I should have known better.