Michael Benanav is a Jewish, American journalist. Perhaps he does not have a death wish, but he does walk on the wild side. Reading that the camel caravans to the salt mines near Timbuktu are in danger of becoming extinct due to the truck transport of salt, Benanav decides to experience a camel journey before they become extinct. As much a mental journey as a grueling physical one, Benanav realizes that this harsh lifestyle has a richer, more complex history than the largely ignorant press has portrayed. Before he was allowed to participate in a long journey through one of the harshest deserts in the world, Benanav had to sign a waiver that if he were responsible for slowing down the caravan (and, thus, risking the lives of the camels and people), the caravan had the right to leave him to rot and die alone in the desert! Benanav does not leave us with easy answers concerning the fate of the caravans or the very real people he comes to respect. In many ways, Men of Salt leaves readers with more questions than answers. The questions, however, are so good that readers will seek more information and forever hold in hearts a much fuller, more human picture of both the people and the camels in this part of our world. Filled with pictures, this book is highly recommended for both middle school and high school libraries despite the fact that is an adult book. One of my favorites this or any year! ( )

Fascinating adventure ( )