Dervla Murphy set out with her pack-mule, Jock, on a hazardous trek through Ethiopia's remote and hostile regions. Inspired by stories of Prester John and the Queen of Sheba, she hoped to find there beauty, danger, solitude and mystery. Instead she encountered rough terrain, exhaustion, illness and the disorder of the Ethiopians' domestic affairs - all of which she conquered with endurance and good humour.

Despite being robbed three times, Dervla Murphy found the Ethiopian highlanders were unusually hospitable. Out of her dependence on them and her increasing familliarity with their way of life grew a close and warm understanding. On reaching Addis Ababa, she concluded that affection for Ethiopia's peoples was the richest reward of her journey.