Kilimanjaro in literature

The great volcano Kilimanjaro became a muse for many creative posts - books were written about it, films were made, songs were dedicated to it. In the lavas of the most famous literary creations, in which the African whirlwind is heard, there is Ernest Hemingway's poem "The Snow of Kilimanjaro" (1936), Ray Bradbury's poem "The Machine to Kilimanjaro" (1965).

Tim Ward’s non-fiction book pays testament that to the kind of life-changing lessons or defining moments that can be prompted by a Kilimanjaro trek. As Ward and his son tackle the mountain, they also traverse the undulating and at times dangerous terrain of fatherhood, divorce, family secrets and old grudges, eventually forging a deeper relationship because of it all. The book also deals with the trials and tribulations of the mountain itself, as well as the threat it faces from climate change, as seen through Kilimanjaro’s retreating glaciers.

Tim Ward’s non-fiction book pays testament that to the kind of life-changing lessons or defining moments that can be prompted by a Kilimanjaro trek. As Ward and his son tackle the mountain, they also traverse the undulating and at times dangerous terrain of fatherhood, divorce, family secrets and old grudges, eventually forging a deeper relationship because of it all. The book also deals with the trials and tribulations of the mountain itself, as well as the threat it faces from climate change, as seen through Kilimanjaro’s retreating glaciers.

This is a beautifully-illustrated book from Audrey Salkeld that serves as an add-on to the 2002 National Geographic film of the same name; Salkeld was part of the team that made this film. As well as spectacular images that capture the essence of the mountain throughout this coffee table book,  there’s also plenty of information about the mountain’s history and Salkeld’s own journey with the National Geographic team.