Ian C. Dawkins Moore “is a man of color, who was born in England.” In the mid-seventies, twenty-three-year-old Moore set out on a journey to seek his heritage. His adventure lasted eighteen months. The journey would not be possible today. “The desert has encroached on the south, poverty has forced migration, violence has destroyed some countries and borders are tighter.”

In Mr. Moore’s book he shares the stories of real people, the culture and the history that is unique to West Africa. On a budget of $800.00 he hitchhiked his way from one country to another, living as cheaply as possible. He roomed with a prostitute, stayed with friendly strangers and at hostels. He shared the food of those he’d never met before and shared drink (sometimes too much) with those he met on his journey.

In a bookstore in Algiers he finds a journal Return to My Land by Aime Cesaire. He frequently quotes her throughout his journal. Reading her words brought him to tears. Mr. Moore met up with his American friend Thomas in Algiers. Thomas believed in individual rights and less government control. The two traveled West Africa together, arguing their differences along the way, but rarely listening to what the other had to say. Ian shares the adventure of the two companions awakening to snow in the Sahara.

“Something about being black in Africa gave a spring to my step, verve to my blood and hope to my heart.” Change was taking place in both Thomas and Ian. The time had come for them to part ways. They bid farewell and Ian began his journey south.

Along his journey Ian made many friends and guides. Phil, Brian showed him a Turkish Bath, where they ended up spending the night. He held Chris in his arms during a storm. He saw a dental procedure performed along the roadside, without benefit of painkillers or antibiotics. “I’d continuously been involved with people on a very basic level, getting fed daily and finding my way around town while using an alien language was a constant challenge.”

"I had traveled so far in those few short months, yet nothing seemed to have changed for those I left behind.” “I’d left London to escape the world of racism and bigotry. In Africa I found tribalism and bigotry – there was no finite answer here or anywhere. The journey had been the answer.”

Return to My Native Land by Ian C. Dawkins Moore is the story of his voyage searching for his true identity. Those of us that lived through the seventies remember it as an age of seeking self-awareness. Mr. Moore has a distinctive outlook and approach that makes his writings both amusing and thought-provoking. His words stir the recesses of the mind causing the reader to ponder the scene and the situations. I enjoyed this book. This cover entices the reader to delve inside. The adventures Mr. Moore stimulated the senses. Well done, Mr. Moore. I highly recommend this book to those that enjoy nonfiction.

Debra Gaynor for Reader Views

Author Biography

Ian C. Dawkins Moore

Ian C. Moore, writer and video producer, was born in London, England, of Jamaican and English parents. As a way to deal with the culture shock in his own up-bringing he traveled, visiting many European countries as well as the Middle East and West Africa.

His unique eclectic perspective makes the essays in this book both humorous and thought provoking. He writes in a prose poetry style inviting dialog. He shares his views on what he has learned from all of his travels and includes some very funny advice and words of wisdom.

Based in Oakland, California, USA, since 1981, Mr. Moore produces a weekly cable show (Channel 26 @ 10:30pm) called CULTURE SHOCK NEWS – Meeting the Challenge of the Next Century. Culture Shock News can be viewed online at www.cultureshocknews.com/csn.

Mr. Moore also broadcasts a weekly radio program every Saturday between 2pm-4pm PST at www.jazzbeatradio.tv which is also called Culture Shock News. His live show features interviews with people from around the Bay Area and discussions about cultural change and getting the most out of the cultural diversity here in America.