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Butcher, TimBuxbaum, JulieBlood RiverEver since Stanley first charted itsmighty river in the 1870s, the Congohas epitomised the dark and turbulenthistory of a failed continent. However,its troubles only served to increasethe interest of “Daily Telegraph”correspondent Tim Butcher, who wassent to cover Africa in 2000. Before longhe became obsessed with the idea ofrecreating Stanley’s original expedition,except travelling alone, despite warningsfrom old Africa hands that his planwas ‘suicidal’! Butcher’s journey was aremarkable feat. But the story of theCongo told expertly and vividly in thisbook, is more remarkable still.The Opposite of LoveWhen successful twenty-nine-yearoldManhattan attorney Emily Haxbyends her happy relationship just as herboyfriend is on the verge of proposing,she can’t explain to even her closestfriends why she did it. Somewherebeneath her sense of fun, her bravado,and her independent exterior, Emilyknows that her breakup with Andrew hasless to do with him and more to do with...her.13