D
Dean King
Dean King is an American author of narrative non-fiction on adventure, historical and maritime subjects. - Wikipedia
Skeletons on the Zahara
- Pages
- 384
- Published
- 2004
- Language
- English
Synopsis
In 1815, twelve American sailors were shipwrecked on the coast of North Africa and thrust into a harrowing three-month journey across the Sahara. Facing starvation, dehydration, hostile tribes, and plagues, they endured unimaginable hardships. This account details their desperate struggle for survival, their encounters with ancient cities and hidden oases, and the unlikely bond formed between a Muslim trader and an American captain, a friendship tested by the harsh desert and a desperate plan for escape.
Genres
Frequently asked questions
What primary sources did the author use to reconstruct these events?
The narrative is built upon two distinct first-person accounts from the crew of the Commerce, specifically the 1817 memoir Sufferings in Africa by Captain James Riley and the journal of crewman Archibald Robbins.
Did the author visit the desert to research this book?
To gain a deeper understanding of the environment, the author participated in a National Geographic Society expedition that retraced the actual route taken by the survivors across the Sahara.
Is there a historical connection between this story and Abraham Lincoln?
Captain James Riley's original memoir was a widely read nineteenth-century text that Abraham Lincoln identified as one of the most influential books he encountered during his life.