About the Book

Travels with Herodotus is Ryszard Kapuściński’s last book, published in 2004. It is a personal account of the author as a young reporter and his intellectual journey alongside the ancient Greek historian Herodotus.

Herodotus as Guide

Kapuściński received a copy of Herodotus’s Histories from his editor before his first foreign assignment. The work of the ancient historian became for him a moral and intellectual compass throughout his travels around the world.

Structure

The book interweaves memories of reporting journeys (India, China, Africa, the Middle East) with passages from and reflections on Herodotus’s Histories.

Themes

• The encounter with the Other — a foreign culture and civilisation
• The craft of reportage and writing about the world
• History as a tool for understanding the present
• Curiosity as the driving force of knowledge
• Parallels between antiquity and the 20th century

Herodotus and Reportage

Kapuściński regarded Herodotus as the first reporter in history — a man who travelled, observed, spoke with people, and recorded their stories.

Reception

The book was very warmly received by readers and critics, who appreciated its intimate, reflective character.

Polish Editions

See the list of Polish editions of Travels with Herodotus with ISBN numbers.