Kenya - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

Interesting book

Very honest and informative. Gave me safari information. Also general information about the country.

This book was very helpful for my mission trip to Kenya. The small size allowed me to read the whole book in a few on my flight over. It was concise, but touched all the bases.Most of the information was accurate though I might add that people living in Nyrobie are quite different than those living outside the capital. In the big city you will see some more British or American ideas. The same goes for if you go on Safari near Mesa Mara. The people living there are directed more towards turism in that area.

The entire "Culture Smart" series of books about various nations has long been one to consider seriously. Like this specific text about Kenya, there are sections in each about the history, the geography, the people, and many of the most important cultural peculiarities of those residents of the country. Jane Barsby, the author of "Kenya," a longtime resident of that nation herself, has done an excellent job of "touching all the bases" and has done so in a well-written and clearly discussed text, one to savior and enjoy. There is, however, a huge "problem" with this text: It is now badly outdated and desperately in need of revision, especially in regard to the politics and/or history of Kenya. For instance, this volume, published as it was in 2007, has, of course, no mention of Kenya's new constitution and that, alone, is a great drawback. Hopefully, especially after the upcoming presidential election in March 2013, the first after the ratification of the new constitution, Barsby will write and get into print a second edition. If so, a new review will almost certainly be a 5-star one.

This is an invaluable little guide for a first-time visitor to Kenya. Small subtle details of culture that were described or predicted by this little book were exactly right, with the effect that cultural differences didn't take me by surprise when they arose and I was better prepared to learn and understand basic Kiswahili, could pick up on cultural cues, knew better how to be a polite guest, and could engage more knowledgeably in social and political discussions with Kenyan hosts and colleagues.

This is the second 'Culture Smart!' book I've bought and once again, I was highly entertained! They are well organized, witty, and yet terribly informative on so many pertinent aspects of Kenyan culture. I showed this one off to two Kenyan friends and they couldn't put it down. Of course, not all Kenyan's can be characterized by the information in this little book (you can read it front to back in an hour or two), but they definitely confirmed some major points.I highly recommend this book if you will travel to Kenya, or know a Kenyan closely. It will give you plenty to talk about.

Going to Kenya next year and I have a good friend form Kenya who has shared a lot of the history and culture with me. I found this book to be a great thumbnail sketch of history, politics, culture, the peoples of Kenya, etc. and pretty accurate according to what I've been told. I will recommend this to the folks traveling with us next year.

I just read this guide before my recent trip to Kenya. This was my second trip to Kenya and I read this as a quick refresher before returning. It is a quick and easy read and is pretty accurate and covers the basics any visitor should know before going. It could use an update, but is still a good introduction for anyone new to Kenya. I recommend this book and Kenya itself, it's a wonderful country!

It helped to prepare for my journey to Kenya this summer

An excellent book that provides valuable insight on not just the country but the people and diverse cultures of Kenya.

A good primer for business interactions. Short and to the point, well worth the price in my view. A bit more there and I'd have given it 5.

Does a good job along the way