My Travels Through Chad

I struggled with this book. It was quite an academic work, by a high ranking academic military officer who was, in 1941, appointed Governor of Chad where the French imposed colonial rule (as a protectorate from 1900).

I am not shy to admit there was a lot in this book, which just didn't mean anything to me as I read, and when I re-read sentences the meaning remained obscure. This is likely not the fault of the author, but the light reading I employed. There is much discussion about the many regions of Chad, and the ethnicities within those regions, and the statistics of so many things that to be perfectly honest the names and numbers all become too much of a blur for me, and my concentration level (and perhaps specific interest in these things) was not up to it.

There were, hidden among the technical information, so very interesting little gems about the culture and the traditions, the people and their way of life, but I did end up skimming over pages to try and find these passages, and unfortunately, they were too few and far between. Again - this is more likely down to what I wanted out of the book - not to say it wouldn't be a five star book for someone with a deep interest in the administrative setup, and the statistics of (whatever it was about), or someone with enough prior knowledge of Chad to be able to associate the information with the location.

A short example - P70
Among the Saras, as with many negro races, death is not regarded as a natural phenomenon; it is always due to a spell-binder. Once he is found, he is put to various ordeals which prove him innocence or guilt; those of the chicken, the tree, water, music or poison.1. Ordeal of the chicken. A chicken's head is cut off. if it dies on the spot, it is a sign of guilt. If it struggles or is able to walk a few steps, it is proof of innocence.2. Ordeal of the tree. The suspect is made to climb to the top of a tree and jump down. If he breaks a leg or arm he is guilty.3. Ordeal of boiling water. A large bourma of water is placed on a fire. When it boils, the suspect must plunge his hand in three times and pick out, one by one, three small clay plates which have been placed at the bottom. If he scalds himself, he is guilty.5. Ordeal by music. The head of the victim - for such he is - is placed between two bamboo poles, which are bound tightly together. The xylophone is then played to him for a given space of time. If, during the playing, he asks for mercy, his guilt is considered obvious.5. Lastly, there is a whole series of Ordeals by poison.

So really not much chance of being found innocent once you are accused!!

So for me, given I had to skim over large portions of this, I can't go above two stars.