Libraries Beneath the Sand

Explorer and award-winning author, James Michael Dorsey returns to the Monterey Library with a new show from his “Before They Vanish,” series.

Tonight’s presentation, “Libraries Beneath the Sand,” will take you on a journey that took place almost three decades ago, but has never been told in its entirety until now.

James had wanted to see Timbuktu, Mali, since he was a small child, to visit its libraries that once rivalled those of Alexandria, and to meet the famed “Blue Men” of the Sahara. Along the way, he followed a route taken by a previous explorer to also visit the ancient village of Arouane that predates Timbuktu by centuries.

At the time, James was not aware of the heavy presence of Al Qaeda in the northern Maghreb of Mali, or their rapid movement south to attack Timbuktu. Their stronghold was then so isolated that most of the world had not yet heard the name, Al Qaeda.

Knowing that the sacred shrines and libraries of Timbuktu would be destroyed by them, he was recruited to help the Tuareg nomads evacuate the libraries and distribute priceless manuscripts across the lower Sahara to be buried by nomad families until it was safe to return them. Thousands of manuscripts were carried by camel caravans.

It was an epic journey, to stay a step ahead of AL Qaeda, and to save centuries of priceless African literature in a race against time and violence.

James will have copies of two of his books for sale. He is a Fellow of the Explorer’s Club, and member emeritus of the Adventurer’s Club.

website, jamesmichaeldorseyauthor.com