Cover of the book The bad-ass librarians of Timbuktu

Bestseller book

Critically acclaimed

Buy on Amazon

Already read? Rate it!

The bad-ass librarians of Timbuktu

and their race to save the world's most precious manuscripts

byJoshua Hammer, Paul Boehmer

Genres: Adventure Biography History

Who is this book for? Readers interested in adventure stories, cultural heritage, and historical narratives.

Topics Cultural heritage preservationLibrariansAfrican historyTimbuktu historyAl qaeda threatArabic manuscriptsManuscript heistCultural property protectionPreservation of knowledgeLibrariesCourageSurvivalCultural Identity and Heritage

MoodSuspenseful, Hopeful

ViolenceMild

In the 1980s, a young adventurer and collector for a government library, Abdel Kader Haidara, journeyed across the Sahara Desert and along the Niger River, tracking down and salvaging tens of thousands of ancient Islamic and secular manuscripts that were crumbling in the trunks of desert shepherds. His goal: to preserve this crucial part of the world’s patrimony in a gorgeous library. But then Al Qaeda showed up at the door. Joshua Hammer writes about how Haidara, a mild-mannered archivist from the legendary city of Timbuktu, became one of the world’s greatest smugglers by saving the texts from sure destruction. With bravery and patience, Haidara organized a dangerous operation to sneak all 350,000 volumes out of the city to the safety of southern Mali. His heroic heist is a reminder that ordinary citizens often do the most to protect the beauty of their culture. His story is one of a man who, through extreme circumstances, discovered his higher calling and was changed forever by it.

Language

Published on

05/04/2017

Pages

278

Format

Paperback

ISBN

9781476777412

Price Comparison

waterstones

Paperback

9.99 £

Books similar to “The bad-ass librarians of Timbuktu”

If you enjoyed reading “The bad-ass librarians of Timbuktu” by Joshua Hammer, Paul Boehmer, you may also like some of the following books.

Åsne SeierstadThe Bookseller Of Kabul

The Bookseller Of Kabul

Åsne Seierstad

T. E. LawrenceSeven Pillars of Wisdom

Seven Pillars of Wisdom

T. E. Lawrence

Jenny ErpenbeckKairos

Kairos

Jenny Erpenbeck

Guy DelisleBurma Chronicles

Burma Chronicles

Guy Delisle

Grace D. LiPortrait of a Thief

Portrait of a Thief

Grace D. Li

Garth NixTerciel and Elinor

Terciel and Elinor

Garth Nix

Alfred AnderschSansibar oder der letzte Grund

Sansibar oder der letzte Grund

Alfred Andersch

Peter HainingThe Mammoth Book of Modern Ghost Stories

The Mammoth Book of Modern Ghost Stories

Peter Haining

Award Winning Literature

Step into the world of **Award Winning Literature books**, where every page resonates with excellence and acclaim. These books have not only captured the hearts of readers but have also been recognized by prestigious literary awards.

J. K. RowlingHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: MinaLima Edition

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: MinaLima Edition

by J. K. Rowling

Veronica RothDivergent

Divergent

by Veronica Roth

Delia OwensWhere the Crawdads Sing - Collector's Edition

Where the Crawdads Sing - Collector's Edition

by Delia Owens

Anthony DoerrAll the Light We Cannot See

All the Light We Cannot See

by Anthony Doerr

Frank HerbertDune

Dune

by Frank Herbert

William GoldingLord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies

by William Golding

Charlotte BrontëJane Eyre

Jane Eyre

by Charlotte Brontë

V. E. Schwab, V.E. Schwab, Victoria SchwabThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

by V. E. Schwab, V.E. Schwab et al.

E. B. White, Guillermo Solana AlonsoCharlotte's Web

Charlotte's Web

by E. B. White, Guillermo Solana Alonso

Madeline MillerCirce

Circe

by Madeline Miller

John SteinbeckOf Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

by John Steinbeck

Bram StokerDracula

Dracula

by Bram Stoker

Christopher PaoliniEragon

Eragon

by Christopher Paolini

Frances Hodgson BurnettThe Secret Garden

The Secret Garden

by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Christina Lamb, Malala YousafzaiI Am Malala

I Am Malala

by Christina Lamb, Malala Yousafzai

Taylor Jenkins ReidDaisy Jones and The Six

Daisy Jones and The Six

by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Jennifer L. ArmentroutFrom Blood and Ash

From Blood and Ash

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Erin MorgensternThe Night Circus

The Night Circus

by Erin Morgenstern

Kurt VonnegutSlaughterhouse 5

Slaughterhouse 5

by Kurt Vonnegut

Holly JacksonA Good Girl's Guide to Murder. Collectors Edition

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. Collectors Edition

by Holly Jackson

Madeleine L'EngleA Wrinkle in Time

A Wrinkle in Time

by Madeleine L'Engle

André AcimanCall Me By Your Name

Call Me By Your Name

by André Aciman

Charles Dixon, J.R.R. TolkienThe Hobbit

The Hobbit

by Charles Dixon, J.R.R. Tolkien

Lucy Maud Montgomery, Lucy M. . MontgomeryAnne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables

by Lucy Maud Montgomery, Lucy M. . Montgomery

Karen M. McManusOne of Us Is Lying

One of Us Is Lying

by Karen M. McManus

Patrick RothfussThe Name of the Wind

The Name of the Wind

by Patrick Rothfuss

Alice OsemanHeartstopper Volume 1

Heartstopper Volume 1

by Alice Oseman

Sarah J. MaasCrown of Midnight

Crown of Midnight

by Sarah J. Maas

William ShakespeareHamlet

Hamlet

by William Shakespeare

Roald DahlCharlie and the Chocolate Factory

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

by Roald Dahl

Show all

Adventure

Embark on a thrilling journey with our collection of adventure books, where each page promises excitement beyond the ordinary. Whether you're scaling the highest peaks or diving into the depths of the ocean, these tales are crafted to ignite your imagination and fuel your wanderlust.

Lemony SnicketThe Bad Beginning

The Bad Beginning

by Lemony Snicket

J. M. BarriePeter Pan

Peter Pan

by J. M. Barrie

Roald DahlJames and the Giant Peach

James and the Giant Peach

by Roald Dahl

Sarah J. MaasKingdom of Ash

Kingdom of Ash

by Sarah J. Maas

Tricia LevensellerDaughter of the Pirate King

Daughter of the Pirate King

by Tricia Levenseller

James Sturm, Joe Sutphin, Richard AdamsWatership Down

Watership Down

by James Sturm, Joe Sutphin et al.

Andy WeirProject Hail Mary

Project Hail Mary

by Andy Weir

Cixin Liu, 刘慈欣The Three-Body Problem

The Three-Body Problem

by Cixin Liu, 刘慈欣

C.S. LewisPrince Caspian

Prince Caspian

by C.S. Lewis

C.S. LewisThe Voyage of the Dawn Treader

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

by C.S. Lewis

C.S. LewisThe Horse and His Boy

The Horse and His Boy

by C.S. Lewis

Robert JordanThe Great Hunt

The Great Hunt

by Robert Jordan

Michael EndeThe Neverending Story. 45th Anniversary Edition

The Neverending Story. 45th Anniversary Edition

by Michael Ende

Jonathan SwiftGulliver's Travels

Gulliver's Travels

by Jonathan Swift

Kenneth GrahameThe Wind in the Willows

The Wind in the Willows

by Kenneth Grahame

Jack London, Pauline FrancisWhite Fang

White Fang

by Jack London, Pauline Francis

Peter BenchleyJaws

Jaws

by Peter Benchley

Eleanor CattonThe Luminaries

The Luminaries

by Eleanor Catton

Roald DahlCharlie and the Great Glass Elevator

Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator

by Roald Dahl

Stephanie GarberFinale

Finale

by Stephanie Garber

Arthur C. ClarkeRendezvous With Rama

Rendezvous With Rama

by Arthur C. Clarke

Lemony SnicketThe Grim Grotto

The Grim Grotto

by Lemony Snicket

James S. A. CoreyAbaddon's Gate

Abaddon's Gate

by James S. A. Corey

Mildred D. TaylorRoll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

by Mildred D. Taylor

Bernard CornwellThe Winter King

The Winter King

by Bernard Cornwell

Tom ClancyClear and Present Danger

Clear and Present Danger

by Tom Clancy

Show all

Biography

Uncover the fascinating lives of influential figures with our extensive collection of biography books. Whether you're interested in the groundbreaking achievements of innovators or the compelling stories of political leaders, our selection offers a deep dive into real-life narratives that shape our world.

Maya AngelouI Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

by Maya Angelou

Rebecca SklootThe Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

by Rebecca Skloot

Cheryl StrayedWild

Wild

by Cheryl Strayed

Chris Van Wyk, Nelson Mandela, Paddy BoumaLong Walk To Freedom

Long Walk To Freedom

by Chris Van Wyk, Nelson Mandela et al.

Michelle ZaunerCrying in H Mart

Crying in H Mart

by Michelle Zauner

Patrick Radden Keefe, Ricard GilEmpire of Pain

Empire of Pain

by Patrick Radden Keefe, Ricard Gil

Cristina Lizarbe, Ibram X. KendiHow To Be an Antiracist

How To Be an Antiracist

by Cristina Lizarbe, Ibram X. Kendi

Seth RogenYearbook

Yearbook

by Seth Rogen

Jean-Dominique BaubyThe Diving-Bell and the Butterfly

The Diving-Bell and the Butterfly

by Jean-Dominique Bauby

Kai Bird, Martin J. SherwinAmerican Prometheus

American Prometheus

by Kai Bird, Martin J. Sherwin

Tembi LockeFrom Scratch

From Scratch

by Tembi Locke

Tom FeltonBeyond the Wand

Beyond the Wand

by Tom Felton

Lynette RiceHow to Save a Life

How to Save a Life

by Lynette Rice

Jonathan RosenThe Best Minds

The Best Minds

by Jonathan Rosen

Will BuxtonGrand Prix

Grand Prix

by Will Buxton

Ralph MacchioWaxing On

Waxing On

by Ralph Macchio

Jonathan Davis, Oliver SacksAwakenings

Awakenings

by Jonathan Davis, Oliver Sacks

Cassandra PetersonYours Cruelly, Elvira

Yours Cruelly, Elvira

by Cassandra Peterson

James HerriotEvery Living Thing

Every Living Thing

by James Herriot

Fran LebowitzThe Fran Lebowitz Reader

The Fran Lebowitz Reader

by Fran Lebowitz

Guenther SteinerSurviving to Drive

Surviving to Drive

by Guenther Steiner

James HerriotAll Things Wise and Wonderful

All Things Wise and Wonderful

by James Herriot

George OrwellHomage to Catalonia

Homage to Catalonia

by George Orwell

Matthew PerryFriends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing

Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing

by Matthew Perry

James HerriotThe Lord God Made Them All

The Lord God Made Them All

by James Herriot

Ashley C. FordSomebody's Daughter

Somebody's Daughter

by Ashley C. Ford

Robert K. MassiePeter the Great

Peter the Great

by Robert K. Massie

Kay Redfield Jamison, Kay R. JamisonAn Unquiet Mind

An Unquiet Mind

by Kay Redfield Jamison, Kay R. Jamison

Jacqueline WoodsonBrown Girl Dreaming

Brown Girl Dreaming

by Jacqueline Woodson

Show all

History

Delve into the captivating world of history books that bring the past to life. From ancient civilizations to modern events, these narratives offer insights and lessons from bygone eras.