Product Description

The cruise ship Lakonia departed Southampton on December 19, 1963, on a Christmas voyage to the Canary Islands. Three days later, north of Madeira, a fire broke out. In the ensuing confusion and panic, a small group of passengers, including the author's parents, were left stranded without lifeboats and drowned. Barrington, just nineteen, left England and went to live in a small town in northern Spain. Lifesaving is the story of those three years, of the people, the places, and of a young woman struggling to become an adult in the shadow of sudden and staggering loss.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #714047 in Books
• Published on: 1997-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

Amazon.com Review
Go Girl! is part travelogue, part guidebook for African American women. Author Elaine Lee first caught the travel bug from her mother, but it wasn't until she was in her late 30s that she realized travel could mean more than just a vacation. She began to systematically plan her life and finances in order to make travel a focal point, an accomplishment detailed inthe book's concluding essay. But Lee gives the reader plenty to think about before she reveals her own secrets--there's Maya Angelou in Africa, Alice Walker in Bali, Gwendolyn Brooks in Russia, and Jill Nelson on Martha's Vineyard, to name just a few of the 52 women who contribute their travel stories to Lee's book of travel and adventure. Along with the inspiration come snippets of practical advice and some very useful resources listed at the end--everything from travel magazines to cruises geared toward African American travelers.

From Library Journal
Globe-trotting attorney Lee assembled 52 travel pieces presenting the uncommon perspective of black women, mostly African Americans. Assembled under the headings "Back to Africa," "Sistren Travelin'," and "Trippin' All Over the World," many initially appeared in popular women's or travel magazines. Personal impressions based on chats with the locals is the preferred journalistic style, with articles extolling the dignity, demeanor, and dress of Ghanaian and Nigerian women; a cautionary tale about smooth-talking West Indian men; a whimsical account of experiencing a coup in Trinidad; discovery of "love, peace and happiness" in Bahia; and a flirtatious stroll during Carnival in Venice. Gwendolyn Brooks in pre-perestroika Leningrad, perceptive snapshots of Thailand and the former Yugoslavia, and too-brief accounts of visits to slave-sites highlight the collection. Much of the other material is of similar travelog appeal, though some practical advice is also provided. For all pubic libraries.?Lonnie Weatherby, McGill Univ. Lib., Montreal
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
“Barrington…demonstrates her mastery of words in this coming-of-age story. -- Library Journal

“Beautifully written….she never attempts to depict herself as victim or to manipulate us into pity.” -- Online Review by Marge Piercy

“Compelling…piercing…rigorous…builds to a stunning resolution. The heart of the book beats powerfully…. ” -- The Oregonian

“…Throughout her writing is superb…. Among the growing number of memoirs, this is a gem.” -- Publishers Weekly

Customer Reviews

No hard information, but great stories
Go Girl (by Elaine Lee, Eighth Mountain Press) is a delightful collection of travel stories by and for black American women. An inspiring collection of information and essays by Maya Angelou, Alice Walker, and others, Go Girl is the essential guide for a sojournin' sista. While there's a disappointing lack of hardcore information specifically for the black traveler, the beautiful first-person stories are treasures for any reader.

At long last
I was really excited when I saw this book! Having traveled and lived abroad myself, the book brought back a lot of memories. This is as excellent choice for any African American or solo female traveler who is just beginning branch out on the globe. The stories by the various authors reinforce the truth that living in a society that's very different form one's own will change the way you see yourself and the world for the better. I definitely recommend it!

Around the world with a different viewpoint...
I bought this book before going overseas for the first time and found the stories compelling and informative. Rich with tips and tricks, it is unique in that it is written from the viewpoint of Black female travelers. From China to Yugoslavia, across the African diaspora from Africa to the Caribbean, and other points abroad, these stories of world travel are often funny, sometimes reflective, and always interesting.