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Beyond Timbuktu: Journeys of Hope and Humanity
320 pages, Paperback
Published June 30, 2026
About the author
Catherine DeVrye
27 books6 followersExpelled from English in high school, Catherine DeVrye went on to become the bestselling author of 9 non-fiction books, translated into over a dozen languages—including a #1 business bestseller in Australia and Taiwan.
Her memoir made bestseller lists in Australia and Canada. But she’s most excited about book #10 'Beyond Timbuktu: Journeys of Hope & Humanity' more than a decade in the making.
Born in Canada, educated in the USA, and now based in Australia, Catherine has travelled to over 150 countries, sharing stories that reveal a world far kinder and more connected than headlines suggest.
Her work has been endorsed by Sir Edmund Hillary, Edward de Bono, Bryce Courtenay, Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, with her latest book carrying jacket comments from Lonely Planet founder, Tony Wheeler, Tim Costello, Hugh Mackay and Greg Mortimer.
A former IBM executive, named Australian Executive Woman of the Year & twice voted Australian Keynote Speaker of the Year, she’s inspired audiences on 5 continents with humour & practicality.
With Mother Nature as her muse, she’s swum with sharks, cycled the Andes, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, trekked beyond Everest Base Camp, volunteered with street kids in Vietnam, and carried the Olympic Torch at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
An “accidental author” who writes from experience and from the heart, Catherine’s mission remains simple: helping others help themselves.
Her memoir made bestseller lists in Australia and Canada. But she’s most excited about book #10 'Beyond Timbuktu: Journeys of Hope & Humanity' more than a decade in the making.
Born in Canada, educated in the USA, and now based in Australia, Catherine has travelled to over 150 countries, sharing stories that reveal a world far kinder and more connected than headlines suggest.
Her work has been endorsed by Sir Edmund Hillary, Edward de Bono, Bryce Courtenay, Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, with her latest book carrying jacket comments from Lonely Planet founder, Tony Wheeler, Tim Costello, Hugh Mackay and Greg Mortimer.
A former IBM executive, named Australian Executive Woman of the Year & twice voted Australian Keynote Speaker of the Year, she’s inspired audiences on 5 continents with humour & practicality.
With Mother Nature as her muse, she’s swum with sharks, cycled the Andes, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, trekked beyond Everest Base Camp, volunteered with street kids in Vietnam, and carried the Olympic Torch at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
An “accidental author” who writes from experience and from the heart, Catherine’s mission remains simple: helping others help themselves.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 6, 2026
From an intrepid traveller to an armchair traveller!
I guess there are other books that you read and think ‘give me more’. This is definitely one of those books! How do you cram so many countries, experiences, interactions and stories into so few pages? An amazing job, Cath. You obviously have so much more to share.
I immediately turned to the countries I have visited (so few compared to the author’s!), enjoyed my own reminiscing yet marvelled at how different our experiences were (& how in some instances I wish I had lived hers!) Then started on the countries I was planning to visit and then the rest that I know I will never visit. I love that it can be a ‘dip in and out’ sort of book (or front to back if that suits). It can fill as much or as little time as you have in one sitting. There are pleasures for me to enjoy for a long time as I read and re-read.
I love the prose, the photography (so much more impressive that they were all taken by the author too!), the inspiring quotes, the positive encounters; I love her courage, bravery, energy, tenacity, determination (& fitness!) and her obviously amazing diary keeping. How much richer are we as readers for being able to share her experiences and insights.
I highly recommend this book to everyone (yes, my friends can expect a copy for their birthdays). And just how wonderful would the world be if it was kinder than the media often portrays – because we know there is more that unites us than divides!
I guess there are other books that you read and think ‘give me more’. This is definitely one of those books! How do you cram so many countries, experiences, interactions and stories into so few pages? An amazing job, Cath. You obviously have so much more to share.
I immediately turned to the countries I have visited (so few compared to the author’s!), enjoyed my own reminiscing yet marvelled at how different our experiences were (& how in some instances I wish I had lived hers!) Then started on the countries I was planning to visit and then the rest that I know I will never visit. I love that it can be a ‘dip in and out’ sort of book (or front to back if that suits). It can fill as much or as little time as you have in one sitting. There are pleasures for me to enjoy for a long time as I read and re-read.
I love the prose, the photography (so much more impressive that they were all taken by the author too!), the inspiring quotes, the positive encounters; I love her courage, bravery, energy, tenacity, determination (& fitness!) and her obviously amazing diary keeping. How much richer are we as readers for being able to share her experiences and insights.
I highly recommend this book to everyone (yes, my friends can expect a copy for their birthdays). And just how wonderful would the world be if it was kinder than the media often portrays – because we know there is more that unites us than divides!
September 16, 2026
Beautiful book. Love the images and the accompanying stories. A wonderful way to travel vicariously around the world.
September 18, 2026
Beautiful book. Lovely reflections on the places visited.
September 7, 2026
If you love to travel and connect with different cultures you will love this book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews