I’ve Been Gone Far Too Long: Field Study Fiascoes and Expedition Disasters

A compendium of hysterically funny travel crises–and not of the tame “I asked for a hamburger on the train to Frankfurt and got a…” order; these are gems from the field, horror stories written by 21 anthropologists, botanists, and biologists. There are some reports on the well known, such as Kelly Stewart’s memory of Dian Fossey packing a pistol in a fruitcake as she crossed into Rwanda. The dominant and disarming truth that reigns in this utterly delightful volume? “Almost every exciting bush story I have ever heard or experienced,” cites one contributor, “has been due to the protagonist’s stupidity.” A must-read for those who ate up its predecessor, the 1994 bestseller I Should Have Stayed Home.