Susan Giffin’s Across Africa Alone tells the thrilling true story of Dr. Louise D’Oliveira’s solo journey across Africa in the late 1950s and early ‘60s. Blending memoir, travel adventure, and missionary work, the book documents Louise’s relentless pursuit of spreading literacy through Dr. Frank Laubach’s “Each One Teach One” method. Battling rugged terrain, wild animals, political upheaval, and deep isolation, she navigates a continent hungry for education and desperate for hope all from behind the wheel of a scrappy little VW Beetle.

Right off the bat, I loved how real and raw Giffin made the adventure feel. Chapter One had me holding my breath when Louise got trapped between two herds of elephants, praying she wouldn’t get trampled. That scene where she speeds through a gap between massive elephants (“Go, go fast but carefully,” she coached herself) was so intense it practically yanked me into the driver’s seat. It wasn’t just drama for drama’s sake either; you could feel her deep, bone-shaking fear and faith in that moment. Giffin didn’t overcomplicate it with flowery language. She told it straight, and it worked perfectly.

There were moments when the writing became weighed down by extensive lists and background information, which disrupted the narrative’s momentum. The detailed historical account of Dr. Frank Laubach’s accomplishments in the prologue, while undoubtedly significant, lacked the immediacy and vibrancy that characterized Louise’s personal story. Although Giffin’s intention to honor the foundations of the literacy movement is understandable and commendable, I found myself wishing for less exposition and more of the emotional resonance that Louise’s experiences provided. Each time Louise’s voice returned, particularly when she described the transformative impact of literacy on the lives of the people she encountered, the story regained its energy and emotional depth.

What really stuck with me, though, was Louise’s sheer guts and soul. This wasn’t just a sightseeing trip, it was a life mission fueled by heartbreak over illiteracy and real love for people. I found her work with the Pygmies in the Ituri Forest, crafting simple lessons in Kingwana, incredibly moving. And her run-ins with danger such as rogue elephants, shady visa officers in Bangui, and even the fear of cannibal country, were always layered with this fierce conviction that her work mattered. You can tell Giffin admired her subject deeply, but she kept it grounded. Louise wasn’t a superhero; she was vulnerable, stubborn, scared, and that made her heroic.

In the end, Across Africa Alone left me feeling both exhausted and inspired, in the best way. This book would be a great fit for anyone who loves true adventure stories, missionary memoirs, or tales of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. If you’ve ever wondered what real courage looks like, Susan Giffin hands it to you here, dust, sweat, elephant encounters, and all.

Pages: 123 | ASIN : B0D1RMFR2C