Chasing the Devil, by Tim Butcher
Tim Butcher, a former war correspondent for The Daily Telegraph, confronts his past traumas in Chasing the Devil. This gripping travelogue follows Butcher as he embarks on a daring 350-mile trek through the heart of Sierra Leone and Liberia, countries still reeling from years of brutal civil war.
Butcher's journey is not for the faint of heart. He navigates treacherous rainforests and malarial swamps, all while grappling with the region's violent history. Along the way, he encounters former child soldiers struggling to rebuild their lives, villages devastated by conflict, and the lingering impact of the blood diamond trade.
One of the book's most striking moments comes when Butcher meets a group of masked figures in a remote jungle community. These guardians of ancient spiritual traditions offer a glimpse into a world rarely seen by outsiders, adding depth to Butcher's already rich narrative.
Chasing the Devil is more than just an adventure story. It's a nuanced look at two countries cautiously emerging from the shadow of war. Butcher's keen eye and personal connection to the region allow him to capture both the lingering scars of conflict and the cautious hope of recovery. Through his grueling journey, Butcher offers readers a ground-level view of an often overlooked part of the world. His firsthand accounts of both tragedy and resilience make for a compelling read that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.
“Ritual murder remains common in West Africa, nowhere more so than Liberia, and among the various risks I had been warned of were trophy-hunting killers known as ‘heartmen’. They stalk human prey before attacking and removing the heart or another body part, taken specifically for use by members of secret societies to imbue potions with magical powers. Heartmen are not imaginary bogeymen whipped up to keep unruly children in check. In rural Liberia they are very real.”
Interesting Facts & Links:
Tim Butcher is an English journalist and author known for his work in conflict zones and remote areas. He spent almost twenty years with The Daily Telegraph, serving as a war correspondent and later as the Africa Bureau Chief. His work often focuses on exploring dangerous or politically unstable regions, combining historical research with firsthand observations of contemporary conditions in these areas.
Read the review of Chasing the Devil in The Telegraph, written by Aminatta Forna in 2010.
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