The Mountains Of Rasselas

Having graduated University in 1955, and having an urge to travel and explore, Pakenham headed for the Levant. Inspired by James Bruce (Scottish traveller and travel writer in the late 18th C) and by Samuel Johnson's The Prince of Abissinia: A Tale about Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia (published 1759) and the Abyssinian monks he met in Jerusalem, he headed for Ethiopia.

Initially, his goal was to be the first European to visit the mountain fortress where Princes of Abyssinia were rumoured to have been incarcerated until they died or the order of succession called them to the throne. Unsure whether this was legend or fact, Pakenham first needed to locate the mountain. With numerous spellings and pronunciations, there proved to be several mountains named Wehni, or similar, so he sets about visiting them all.

Ethiopia at the time of his arrival was celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Emperor Haile Selassie's Jubilee - an opportunity to meet some of the heirarchy of the countries provinces. Ethiopia itself was still a system of old feudal nobility - provincial Governor Generals overseeing Governors and other complex levels of important people to be kept appeased. This meant lots of admin around travel - obtaining official permits, letters of recommendation etc, and slowed Pakenham down at times, however he managed to carry out four distinct journeys in his time in Ethiopia, well described in this book.

Much of his journey diversifies into inspecting and photographing the archeological finds - medieval churches and the like. His main discoveries were a previously unknown (by Europeans) medieval church in Bethleham and an illuminated medieval manuscript in the church of Abba on the mountain of Amba Geshen. The church had been built over by a more modern structure, thereby protecting it from the damage most undertook through weather and war.

In the course of the book Pakenham meets many persons of importance, including a number of expats who assist or accompany him on parts of this travels. While obviously a young and ambitious man, who is frustrated by slow progress he shows some of his diplomacy but also shares where he was at fault in his approaches.

While there are a couple of maps, they are merely adequate, and could be better. There are also a number of pages of photographs, black and white, which are probably quite good for the time. All in all, an interesting read about an area of Ethiopia which is probably still not regularly visited by outsiders.

Pakenham, of course, went on to become a historian and author many other books.

3.5 stars, rounded up.