A Far Country: Travels In Ethiopia
Philip Marsden-Smedly
ASIN: 0712625666
Century Press, 1990; 210 pages
Overall Rating: 3 Stars 
Readability: 2 Stars
Content: 3 Stars
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this book
A Far Country is a rather dry book. It chronicles the author's
travels through Ethiopia in the late 1980's. The history of Ethiopia
is rife with intrigue, dating back to biblical times. Marsden-Smedly
travels to locations in Ethiopia that have historical significance,
discussing their impact and influence on Ethiopian society. The
author uses his "journey of discovery" as a vehicle through which
to impart the political, social, and most importantly, religious
history of Ethiopia to the reader. A Far Country often bogs down
in seemingly unimportant detail, but the lesson in the fascinating
but often convoluted history of Ethiopia makes the book well worth
the read. The book was also written during the Eritrean fight
for independence and gives excellent insight into the impacts
the 32-year war had on the lives of the Ethiopians.
