Join renowned author and award-winning explorer Tim Butcher as he crosses the Congo, an incredible overland journey many thought suicidal. The adventure, described in his international best-seller `Blood River’, takes you through the history and the reality of Africa’s most totemic and troubled country. And it serves warning to us all on the pitfalls and possibilities of nation building. Tim Butcher is a British best-selling author based in Cape Town who has created a unique genre of travel-writing and public-speaking, blending history with actuality. Honoured with the Mungo Park Medal for exploration from the Royal Scottish Geographical Society and recognised as an educator with an honorary doctorate from Northampton University, for Tim no journey is too dangerous, no story too complex. Educated at Oxford and with twenty years frontline experience as a war correspondent, his most recent book, The Trigger, tells the story of the teenager who sparked the First World War by killing the Archduke in Sarajevo. Heralded as a `masterpiece’ by the Guardian and `riveting’ by the New York Times, The Trigger was chosen as required WW1 centenary reading by the then British Prime Minister David Cameron. Tim topped the international bestseller lists with his first book, Blood River, an account of journeying across the Congo, before writing Chasing the Devil about a 600 km trek he made through the ebola hot zone of Sierra Leone and Liberia. Born in the town of Rugby, cradle of the game, he is currently based in Hout Bay with his family.

Media & Reviews

Announcement

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Audience Responses

Tim's presentation was great, but if he could have kept the pitch of his voice at the level to which he raised it from time to time, it would have been easier to focus on the content, not concentrate on hearing (and, no, I am not at all deaf!) That said, we thoroughly enjoyed the event - both talk and question time - and I am planning to book for this Sunday. It is such a pleasure to drive from the south into the city bowl on a Sunday afternoon! Keep up the good work. best regards, Heather

Outstanding give us lots more

Very well organized - you can't ask for more than that. Subject matter will change, but as long as it's a pleasant experience (it is!) I'll keep coming back. Appreciated the reminder mail as well. Friendly, warm atmosphere upon arrival.

Entertaining and insightful

Really good; having read the book we know the tale, however, to get Tim’s passion for The Congo illustrated and explained adds another dimension. We love the Alex, attending OMG once a month, the occasional theatre, this is another great event, very reasonably priced

Excellent talk. Most interesting, and Tim Butcher talks extremely well. Thank you

Good speaker. Writer could cut down his material, all very interesting, but spoke too fast on his digressions.

I was riveted. The Congo account is absolutely fascinating, but TIm Butcher is such a master storyteller that I suspect he could make even a trip along the Liesbeek River sound like something epic, extraordinary and life-changing.

It was very interesting and brought his book to life. Unfortunately one spotlight shone directly in his eyes causing him discomfort and resulting in his moving to the side and back of the stage.

Informative and entertaining ,loved the book and think he's fab but he needs a mic !

Totally absorbing