Twenty Chickens for a Saddle: The Story of an African Childhood Paperback – Illustrated, March 31, 2009

Oh, my goodness...I can't say how very, very much I have loved reading this book.Told from a child's perspective, but written by the adult that child grew up to be, so there's nothing childish or cloying about the telling of the story.Three kids hauled off to Botswana by two very eccentric parents...to live in a dung filled, 2-room shed (after they'd cleaned it out, of course!) across the 'road' from their even MORE eccentric and utterly outrageous paternal grandfather.I read it during the first few days of a family vacation and was probably pretty boring company as I had my nose in this book every spare moment.

Excellent used condition

since I am living in Africa right now, the book was especially insightful. It is a delightful and honest memoir. I loved the author's voice and loved her descriptions of a childhood in Botswana. I did think the book dragged a bit at the end, but enjoyed hearing more about the family as they progressed. It always amazes me how resilient children are to what seems an unusual life. but it formed them all into fascinating people. I often found myself laughing out loud with enjoyment.

Great memoir narrative. Enjoyed learning so much about Botswana from the perspective of a non conventional family. Felt like a member if the family by the end of the story. I felt it was well developed and easy reading.

I so enjoyed the wonderful stories of growing up in a special place with some extraordinary people... I got a feeling of what that was really like mixed with the adventures and some real life struggles. A family that holds together with super glue... And keeps their chins up...

Liked the closeness of the family Had difficulty truly liking any member The beauty of the country is pictured the aids epidemic was well presented but too graphic & too long it is a book club choice otherwise I would not have purchased & read sorry author

4.2 Read it while on safari in Botswana, and it gave me lots of good background info as well as a feeling for the land.

This memoir speaks clearly to those who have lived in Africa. It speaks of the diversity of the various people and their cultures. It speaks of the beauty of land that can be stark and majestic, or lush and luring. It also shows what interests and activities one can become involved in simply by being in a land that offers unique experiences. This is a book that stays with you.

I loved this story. It is hilariously funny at times, but a real life story about being raised in rural Botswana, with parents that allow children to " learn to do by doing", despite some of the disasterous outcomes at times. The reality of the AIDS epidemic in Africa becomes part of the story illustrating the significance of the impacts of the disease on the country and it's people, and hence the rest of the world. This is one of my all time favorite stories. In my next life, I want to be raised like Robyn Scott was raised! This was no ordinary childhood! Every day was a story in itself, filled with learning and adventure.A really fun read!

I have not yet finished reading it but it puts me into the scene of life in Botswana in the Mid 1980's. I was there from 1972-1975 as a medical doctor so find her story very illuminating as the disease of grave importance at that time was tuberculosis, Amazing how quickly the disease that affects a huge portion of the population in just 10 years

Transported me with humour and intensity into the life of ex pats on farms in Africa.