Published by Penguin
ISBN 978-0-141-02114-0
From his first trip overseas , beyond the borders of communist Poland, as an inexperienced foreign affairs reporter, Ryszard’s constant companion is a much travelled hefty hard backed edition of Herodotus’ life work; his ‘Histories’.
In ‘Travels with Herodotus’, Ryszard embarks on a parallel travelogue through India, Asia, and war torn Africa, distanced by centuries yet overlapping in the universalities of discovery, curiosity and human enterprise. Both Ryszard , who finds a kindred spirit in his ancient reporter predecessor – Herodotus, are impelled by the same innate compulsion to transcend one’s comfort zone and reveal what lies over the horizon.
Less a collection of ‘histories’ but more an early attempt at impartial reportage, Herodotus’ ‘Histories ‘is propelled, Ryszard believes by the aspiration to prevent traces of human events and endeavor from disappearing. Relying exclusively on oral history as the source of his information, Herodotus deals with the pitfalls of subjective memory.
The geography of the Herodotus’ world is mapped out by tribes who point the direction to the neighboring tribe ‘over the hill’. Where no known human neighbor exists then a border is ascertained. It is of unceasing wonder to both Herodotus and Ryszard how humans ( and in this we might resemble our territorial mammal counterparts) constantly feel the need to emphasize ‘otherness’ . Despite living in close proximity to other humans, splinter tribes, in establishing their separate identities, inevitably invent and create new Gods and languages to those of their neighbors.
The perceived necessity to be different, to adapt might be an instinct of survival , an question of sustenance resources and probably on one level a rebellion against the status quo, and more subtly futile insurance against mortality and . In the 50’s teenagers rebelled by listening to Elvis. In BC, you just moved further down the road and chose a new God.
A must read or all novice, would be and intrepid travel reporters.
Review by Warren J. Bugeja
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