Canoeing the Congo narrates the journey of Phil Harwood, who undertook an epic five-month solo attempt to canoe the Congo River in war-torn Central Africa. It was a historic 'first descent' from the true source in the highlands of Zambia. Just short of 3,000 miles long, the Congo River is the eighth longest in the world and the deepest river in the world, with a flow rate second only to the Amazon. Along the way, Phil encountered numerous waterfalls, huge rapids, man-eating crocodiles, hippos, aggressive snakes and spiders' webs the size of houses. He faced endemic corruption, was arrested, intimidated, bullied, chased and he received numerous death threats. He also collapsed from malaria. The people were mostly friendly, however, and Phil received tremendous hospitality from a proud and brave people, especially from the riverside fishermen who helped him wherever they could. On one stretch of river known as 'The Abattoir' due to its past history of cannibalism and current reputation for criminal activity, he hired four brothers with a shotgun to accompany him as bodyguards. They paddled and floated for five days and nights on the river. Common questions from locals were, "why haven't you cut his throat yet?" and "if you don't want to do it, tell us where your camping and we'll come and do it for you ...We'll share his money." It was an exhilarating, terrifying and wonderful journey but Phil managed to survive, despite the odds, to tell his story. Canoeing the Congo will appeal to fans of adventurous travel writing and people who love the nature and wilderness. Phil, who is a fan of adventure stories himself, enjoys the work of Ranulph Fiennes and Bill Bryson.
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'An exhilarating account of former Royal Marine Commando Phil Harwood's epic solo journey from the Congo's source in Zambia through war-torn Central Africa.' (ABTA Magazine )
'Harwood's epic tale of his solo journey from the Congo's source in Zambia through war-torn Central Africa.' (National Geographic Traveller (UK edition) ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
'Harwood's epic tale of his solo journey from the Congo's source in Zambia through war-torn Central Africa.' (National Geographic Traveller (UK edition) ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
About the Author
Phil has worked all over the world as an ex-Royal Marine Commando, ski-guide, expedition leader, outdoor instructor and development trainer. He is qualified as mountain leader, a level 4 canoe coach, a level 3 kayak coach, a rock climbing instructor, a wilderness emergency medical technician and a first aid instructor. Phil's passions are adventure and challenge, in particular canoeing remote wilderness rivers - the more wild the better!
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If the river Congo had been in other (easier) countries this would still have been an epic adventure, but combined with the local lawlessness and corruption it is absolutely astonishing. The author, Phil, writes well and describes both the generosity and warmth of many of the local fisherman as well as the occasional aggression and hate of some people and intimidation and corruption from violent officials. He takes it all in his stride (well, losing his rag a fair few times). His self confidence is phenomenal, as is his belief in the goodness of others.
Just the length of the journey - 5 months alone or with a local, in such a potentially hostile environment is hard. By the end Phil is obviously suffering a little mentally, but as he says at the start of the book, facing adversity strengthens us. He had a huge amount of adversity and the book shows his strength.
He mentions Blood River (by Tim Butcher). Tim is not nearly so adventurous, but his book does give a better description of why the Democratic Republic of Congo is in the state that it is in. I recommend both books for different reasons, but this is the most inspiring!
Thanks Phil!
Just the length of the journey - 5 months alone or with a local, in such a potentially hostile environment is hard. By the end Phil is obviously suffering a little mentally, but as he says at the start of the book, facing adversity strengthens us. He had a huge amount of adversity and the book shows his strength.
He mentions Blood River (by Tim Butcher). Tim is not nearly so adventurous, but his book does give a better description of why the Democratic Republic of Congo is in the state that it is in. I recommend both books for different reasons, but this is the most inspiring!
Thanks Phil!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Harwood sets out to canoe the entire length of the Congo river, from the attributed source to the sea. It is an unbelievably tough journey, with 10 hours paddling in his canoe each and every day. The route is through one of the most desperate parts of the world, with the fall out from years of poverty and civil war.
He meets the entire spectrum of humanity along the way, from nasty pieces of work, real death threats, and people who could not be any friendlier and more generous, and who are embarrassed about their fellow countrymen's behaviour. Through all the trial he survives and learns as much about himself, as Africa.
A book that those who have read Blood River will like.
He meets the entire spectrum of humanity along the way, from nasty pieces of work, real death threats, and people who could not be any friendlier and more generous, and who are embarrassed about their fellow countrymen's behaviour. Through all the trial he survives and learns as much about himself, as Africa.
A book that those who have read Blood River will like.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By M. A. Heason
Format:Paperback
Last year (2011) at ShAFF Phil Hayward came to the festival to introduce his film, a 20 minute short filmed and edited by himself, on his solo canoe expedition down the Congo river. A few months previously I had read a book called Blood River, about a journalist's travels through the Congo. The journalist had painted such a bleak picture of the country that I found it hard to fathom how somebody could contemplate embarking on a canoe journey there all alone.
Well having met Phil, watched his film, and now read his book, it's clear that he is no ordinary man! With a military background Phil is not what you would call aggressive, but he certainly doesn't shy away from confrontation, and this, it seems, was the key to his success in the Congo. Whenever he was confronted by anybody, from tribesmen to drunk officials, he stood his ground and did not part with any of the money he was carrying on his person. He did recruit guides at times who acted as body guards, and chose well. At one point on the trip he is pursued by a band of machete wielding men who are clearly going to overhaul him and most likely kill him, so he decides to turn and face them, machete of his own in hand, and they retreat, clearly not expecting a madman, and each fearing for his own life.
The book is basic in many ways. Phil is no seasoned travel writer, but the story is so compelling and Phil such a character that the rawness of his style actually helps to paint the picture of a slightly insane, but fun-loving guy throwing caution to the wind and taking on what must rank as one of the most audacious journeys of the modern era. Had the very same story been written by a journalist one might have felt that it had been embellished and exaggerated.... Read more ›
Well having met Phil, watched his film, and now read his book, it's clear that he is no ordinary man! With a military background Phil is not what you would call aggressive, but he certainly doesn't shy away from confrontation, and this, it seems, was the key to his success in the Congo. Whenever he was confronted by anybody, from tribesmen to drunk officials, he stood his ground and did not part with any of the money he was carrying on his person. He did recruit guides at times who acted as body guards, and chose well. At one point on the trip he is pursued by a band of machete wielding men who are clearly going to overhaul him and most likely kill him, so he decides to turn and face them, machete of his own in hand, and they retreat, clearly not expecting a madman, and each fearing for his own life.
The book is basic in many ways. Phil is no seasoned travel writer, but the story is so compelling and Phil such a character that the rawness of his style actually helps to paint the picture of a slightly insane, but fun-loving guy throwing caution to the wind and taking on what must rank as one of the most audacious journeys of the modern era. Had the very same story been written by a journalist one might have felt that it had been embellished and exaggerated.... Read more ›
By Jimmymanc
Format:Paperback
I don't read much, and I read this book cover to cover in about 4 days. What Phil Harwood did is absolutely incredible - canoeing the full length of the Congo in one of the most dangerous countries in the world.
I really liked his writing style - it was direct but very evocative, (unlike Bruce Parry's Amazon book, where he waxes lyrical about every plant and starts waffling).
Phil takes you on a journey, not just through the jungle and rivers of the DR Congo, but into the communities that live there, and his interactions with them, and what characters he met along the way (and he pretty much seemed to have met them all! Corrupt, threatening, generous, humble ...).
The only reason I've given it 4 stars and not 5 are two small reasons, which are probably personal only to me: Firstly, he describes the people and characters and state of affairs brilliantly, but he doesn't do the same for the landscapes and the wildlife that live there. I mean, he does do *some*, but at times it was difficult to know whether he was surrounded by jungle, or out on open flat land.
Secondly, leading on from the point above, I didn't feel too much sense of danger when I read the book, some parts are very matter-of-fact, despite the fact that he was in a dangerous situation. I mean, it's probably just due to the fact that it was written by a fearless guy, but sometimes I felt like he wasn't ever scared. Even when he accidently gets caught in a massive spiders' web (and by his own admission he has a huge fear of spiders), he describes it pretty matter-of-factly. In short, because he doesn't show much emotion at points, it makes you as a reader hard to feel it either.
All in all though, a really great read, and I'd recommend it.
I really liked his writing style - it was direct but very evocative, (unlike Bruce Parry's Amazon book, where he waxes lyrical about every plant and starts waffling).
Phil takes you on a journey, not just through the jungle and rivers of the DR Congo, but into the communities that live there, and his interactions with them, and what characters he met along the way (and he pretty much seemed to have met them all! Corrupt, threatening, generous, humble ...).
The only reason I've given it 4 stars and not 5 are two small reasons, which are probably personal only to me: Firstly, he describes the people and characters and state of affairs brilliantly, but he doesn't do the same for the landscapes and the wildlife that live there. I mean, he does do *some*, but at times it was difficult to know whether he was surrounded by jungle, or out on open flat land.
Secondly, leading on from the point above, I didn't feel too much sense of danger when I read the book, some parts are very matter-of-fact, despite the fact that he was in a dangerous situation. I mean, it's probably just due to the fact that it was written by a fearless guy, but sometimes I felt like he wasn't ever scared. Even when he accidently gets caught in a massive spiders' web (and by his own admission he has a huge fear of spiders), he describes it pretty matter-of-factly. In short, because he doesn't show much emotion at points, it makes you as a reader hard to feel it either.
All in all though, a really great read, and I'd recommend it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Fantastic Adventure!
Phil Harwoods account of his expedition to canoe the Congo river from source to sea is a fantastic and gripping read. Read more
Published 11 days ago by Phil
5.0 out of 5 stars
And it is true
A terrific real life adventure story. Written in a somewhat gung-ho military style, that belies the underlying intelligence of the author. Read more
Published 23 days ago by terrie brittain
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Read - Buy It !
his a great travel book and total respect for this guy! The only shame is that this is one of the great expeditions of modern times and it remains relatively obscure! Read more
Published 6 months ago by C. Redwood
4.0 out of 5 stars
An amazing and truly admirable undertaking, but why the digs at Tim...
This is a great account of a frankly amazing journey through one of the last bastions of a truly wild and often dangerous area, with both natural hazards and some altogether more... Read more
Published 7 months ago by MarkFu
4.0 out of 5 stars
A mid - Victoran adventure in modern times
This is an excellent account of a very dangerous exploration, covered by the explorer himslelf, in a unassuming and modest manner. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Stanley H. M. Francis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Harwood is different
Phil Harwood is not as other men. To make this journey he had either to be insane or exceptional - I believe he is the latter. Read more
Published 15 months ago by pscoptera
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
I absolutely loved reading this book. It really is a page turner... I was so surprised, that I would be so engrossed in a travel book! I kept raving about it to my friends. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Wrenne
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fantastic read!
This book is the tale of a truly amazing adventure! From the very beginning to the end it captures the authors thoughts and take on life, giving you the opportunity to share the... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Anton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Canoeing the Congo
Riveting, fast paced yet full of detail and character. Was living the whole dream and believing I was there, then thought about what he had done and didnt want any part of it. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Well travelled
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