Travels with a Primate: Around the World with Robert Runcie

by Terry Waite

From darkest Africa to the darker and infinitely wetter birthplace of John Knox, from the remote expanse of the Alaska Highway to part of the Antipodes that even Bill Bryson could not reach, Terry Waite takes us on a guided world tour in the company of Dr. Robert Runcie. Even an archbishop has little control over wars and missed connections, floods and food poisoning, but this Primate sailed majestically through the most troubled of waters, as his companions baled energetically in his wake. Travels with a Primate is the hilarious and affectionate story of the trials and tribulations they encountered, and a delightful tribute to an enduring friendship.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Humor, Christian

220 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2001

About the author

Terence Hardy "Terry" Waite CBE is an English humanitarian and author. Waite was the Assistant for Anglican Communion Affairs for the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcie, in the 1980s. As an envoy for the Church of England, he travelled to Lebanon to try to secure the release of four hostages, including the journalist John McCarthy. He was himself kidnapped and held captive from 1987 to 1991. [Wikipedia]

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is complete waffle. Waite tries to play the bumbling Englishman abroad, but that's been done so much better by inumerable others (Palin, Bryson - ok, an honourary one anyway). The jokes aren't funny, and are invariably laboured and anticlimatic. Neither is there any real insight into the life of the Archbish or the workings of the C of E (even if that kind of thing floats your boat). A few years ago, I attended a public talk by the author on his terrible hostage ordeal in Lebanon; he came across as eloquent, erudite and witty. What a disappointment then, that these memoirs are easily my top contender for the dullest book ever written. Avoid this book (or preferably use its pages to dab up that drying paint on the fence you've been meaning to redo for ages - it'll provide more entertainment)

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and funny, it was pleasure to read and see the lighter side of a public character known for very serious reasons.
I appreciated it and it's highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC

[Fiona · Rating 2 out of 5]

I admire the author tremendously. This book was pleasant and interesting in places but, I suspect, suffered from having to keep out the best stories for reasons of discretion.

[Jayne Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

At times very funny, however lacking in insight - no doubt due to fondness and discretion.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gentle tale telling, no great scandal nor amazing events, just the daily life of the Archbishop's office told by a man I much admire.

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Well written, but failed to interest and grip this reader.
Will recycle this book to a charity (thrift) shop.