Review of The Journal
Posted: 27 Feb 2024, 10:49
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Journal" by Paul G Allman.]
The Journal: Memories of Addis by Paul G. Allman is an actual historical true adventure novel. The book tells the adventure story of Alston Pierce, the protagonist. He started his adventure after his graduation from college to explore Europe, Sweden particularly. After the summer, he found himself in Greece, where the story begins. He kept an extensive journal of his journey; this journal exposes his events: living in a cave, expeditioning up the Nile River, crossing the Nubian Desert, traveling from Sudan into Ethiopia, and more. This is an exciting book through which the reader will discover the beauty of Africa, particularly Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya, and the dangerous, challenging, and life-changing situations the protagonist encounters.
At the Caves of Matala, located on the Island of Crete, Tim and Sue commenced sharing their African journey with Alston. Among the highlights were the churches of Lalibela in the Gondor region of northern Ethiopia, which captivated Alston the most. Unable to resist the allure, Alston embarked on a journey to witness the eleven churches reputedly constructed by angels, according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Each church, sculpted from a single massive block of stone over 800 years ago, fascinated him deeply. Originally intending to visit Kenya, Alston opted to travel overland through Ethiopia to explore the churches of Lalibela. Along the way, he explored various historical sites, and his journey to Ethiopia unfolded as a twist of fate.
The 375-page book contains twenty-five distinct chapters and an appendix that validates most of the events he explained. I enjoyed the book; the journey was full of adventure, and I discovered numerous places and histories I didn't know existed. It excited me to discover the presumed location of the Art of Covenant and also the story of King Solomon and Queen Sheba. One of the parts that captivated me the most is the philosophy of Epicurus, which Marianna shared with Alston, and also the historical background of Ethiopia as described by the author. The assertion that "Complete liberation from suffering can only be achieved by freeing oneself entirely from craving" deeply resonated with me. While certain events in the book may appear mundane individually, as a whole, the narrative proves to be worthwhile and deserving of one's time.
The book stands out for its exceptional editing, with not a single grammar error to be found and nothing to point to as a flaw. I am pleased to give it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. I highly recommend this book to both young readers and adults alike. Furthermore, it holds particular appeal for archaeologists, adventurers, and historians.
******
The Journal
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The Journal: Memories of Addis by Paul G. Allman is an actual historical true adventure novel. The book tells the adventure story of Alston Pierce, the protagonist. He started his adventure after his graduation from college to explore Europe, Sweden particularly. After the summer, he found himself in Greece, where the story begins. He kept an extensive journal of his journey; this journal exposes his events: living in a cave, expeditioning up the Nile River, crossing the Nubian Desert, traveling from Sudan into Ethiopia, and more. This is an exciting book through which the reader will discover the beauty of Africa, particularly Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya, and the dangerous, challenging, and life-changing situations the protagonist encounters.
At the Caves of Matala, located on the Island of Crete, Tim and Sue commenced sharing their African journey with Alston. Among the highlights were the churches of Lalibela in the Gondor region of northern Ethiopia, which captivated Alston the most. Unable to resist the allure, Alston embarked on a journey to witness the eleven churches reputedly constructed by angels, according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Each church, sculpted from a single massive block of stone over 800 years ago, fascinated him deeply. Originally intending to visit Kenya, Alston opted to travel overland through Ethiopia to explore the churches of Lalibela. Along the way, he explored various historical sites, and his journey to Ethiopia unfolded as a twist of fate.
The 375-page book contains twenty-five distinct chapters and an appendix that validates most of the events he explained. I enjoyed the book; the journey was full of adventure, and I discovered numerous places and histories I didn't know existed. It excited me to discover the presumed location of the Art of Covenant and also the story of King Solomon and Queen Sheba. One of the parts that captivated me the most is the philosophy of Epicurus, which Marianna shared with Alston, and also the historical background of Ethiopia as described by the author. The assertion that "Complete liberation from suffering can only be achieved by freeing oneself entirely from craving" deeply resonated with me. While certain events in the book may appear mundane individually, as a whole, the narrative proves to be worthwhile and deserving of one's time.
The book stands out for its exceptional editing, with not a single grammar error to be found and nothing to point to as a flaw. I am pleased to give it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. I highly recommend this book to both young readers and adults alike. Furthermore, it holds particular appeal for archaeologists, adventurers, and historians.
******
The Journal
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon