Mad About the Mekong

The story of both a dramatic journey retracing the historic voyage of France’s greatest 19th-century explorer up the mysterious Mekong river, and a portrait of the river and its peoples today.

Reviews

‘An excellent, fascinating, and timely book.’ Spectator
‘A breathtaking account of one of the greatest ever feats of exploration.’ Literary Review
‘Impeccable…Keay tells the story of the expedition's slow unravelling with the quiet and masterly authority that characterises all his books…the book is a splendid piece of travel writing, too…Keay has painted quite brilliantly a portrait of the river and those intrepid Europeans who first ventured onto it.’ Sunday Times
‘Entertaining…Keay anthropomorphises the Mekong with terrific verve and imagination throughout this delightful book.’ Sunday Telegraph
‘Told with a gusto that does not cloak the hideous dangers and discomforts encountered by the expedition…Keay writes eloquently and his vivid descriptions are supported by the scrupulous research that is the hallmark of all his work. Whether as a history, a travel book or just a study in group dynamics, “Mad About the Mekong” makes rewarding reading.’ Daily Telegraph