Crossing the Heart of Africa : An Odyssey of Love and Adventure

Banff Mountain Book Awards WINNERThe spellbinding true story of retracing the extraordinary trek of Ewart "e;the Leopard"e; Groganthe legendary British explorer who, in order to win the woman he loved, attempted to become the first person to cross AfricaIn 1898 the dashing British adventurer Ewart Grogan fell head-over-heels in lovebut before he could marry, he needed the approval of his beloved's skeptical, aristocratic stepfather. Grogan, seeking to prove his worth and earn his love's hand, then set out on an epic quest to become the first man to cross the entire length of Africa, from Cape Town to Cairo, "e;a feat hitherto thought by many explorers to be impossible"e; (New York Times).A little more than a century later, American journalist Julian Smith also found himself madly in love with his girlfriend of seven years... but he was terrified by the prospect of marraige. Inspired by Grogan's story, which he discovered by chance, Smith decided to face his fears of commitment by retracing the explorer's amazingbut now forgotten4,500-mile journey for love and glory through Africa. Crossing the Heart of Africa is the unforgettable account of these twin adventures, as Smith beautifully ineterweaves his own contemporary journey with Grogan's larger-than-life tale of cannibal attacks, charging elephants, deadly jungles, and romantic triumph.SOCIETY OF AMERICAN TRAVEL WRITERS WESTERN WRITING AWARDS WINNER: GOLD PRIZE (TRAVEL)BANFF MOUNTAIN BOOK COMPETITION WINNER: SPECIAL JURY MENTIONAMERICAN SOCIETY OF JOURNALISTS AND AUTHORS AWARDS BEST-BOOK WINNER: MEMOIR