Spurred on by romantic childhood memories of names such as Prester John, the Queen of Sheba and the Lion of Judah, and by a vision of Ethiopia as beautiful, dangerous and mysterious, Dervla Murphy set out on a hazardous trek through the Ethiopian highlands. She travelled against official advice and, during the gruelling journey, she was robbed three times. Yet the Ethiopians were usually hospitable and her dependence on them and increasing familiarity with their way of life broke down the barriers. Her growing affection for and understanding of another race became the real achievement and richest reward of her journey. This is the story of her journey.