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Skeletons on the Zahara: A True Story of Survival by Dean King - 4 stars

Harrowing true survival story of the crew of the American brig Commerce who were shipwrecked off the western coast of Africa in 1815, held as slaves by nomadic tribes, and subjected to extreme deprivation in crossing the Zahara (Sahara) desert in a desperate attempt to reach safety. It is a tale of courage, tenacity, quick-thinking, adaptability, endurance, and persuasion. Dean King has created a compelling narrative of survival in the face of tremendous adversity. The crew endured separation, enslavement, beatings, extremes of heat and cold in the desert, sandstorms, starvation, dehydration, and they were tested to their physical and mental limits.

I found this book well-plotted and engrossing. The writing is journalistic in style. One of my favorite parts is the bond of trust developed between two men of very different culture and language. Content warnings include: consumption of bodily fluids, insects, (and worse), slaughter of animals, slavery, and brutality. Recommended to fans of maritime history, true adventure, and survival stories.

Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...