Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna

Very very interesting read! I was born in Kenya but only now learning a lot of new things about the Maasai from this book! I am of a different culture but I feel we are different in many ways yet very similar in a lot of others especially in regard to values we held ; like respect for the elders and sense of community, discipline from the elders, and even the nights we would sit to listen to stories from our parents or grand parents to the not so dark nights with sounds of frogs, or crickets replaced the quiet of the night and the moon and stars bought the children some more time to play outside before dinner was ready...beautiful memories! Overall it's a great read!!

Facing The Lions is a wonderful book and a MUST READ if you want to understand how Massai people think!!!I read it to my kids (11,9,7,4) while we were in Kenya. (Though they could have read it by themselves- I did not want to miss it!!!)Joseph is a boy that grew up in a Massai tribe and explains his world so well that you start to understand their way of thinking.The book has short chapters. It would be an easy read for a reluctant reader.If you study about Africa, Kenya or Massai, it is a must!Your students will love it and beg for just ONE more chapter!!!I love the message that education is important. How hard some students have to fight to reach their goal. What a different world it is to be brought up in a tribe that does not acknowledge education.Note: I did skip one chapter (of the last chapters) which talks about Josephs experience about circumcision (because of my 7 and 4 year old) while the older ones read it by themselves.

Facing the Lion is a terrific read. For those that have dreamed of African success stories, this story tops them all. Mr. Lekuton has worked his way from the desert near Marsabit, Kenya to Langley School near Washington D.C. He is still a product of the environment he grew up in, but conversant with people in the top level of government in Kenya and the U.S. His story is an inspiration to all that worked in Africa for the Peace Corps or Non Governmental Organizations (NGO's) because it proves that out there in Africa there is much hope waiting to be found. I have a strong visual image of Joseph sitting across from Moi High School trying to figure out how he could get in, even with the entrance letter amoung his things. He is now a hero to all those secondary school children at Moi, a true African role model.In a time of uncertainty and despair, this book shines as a truebeacon of the good things that can come from Africa. My hat is off to this Maasai and Harvard warrior.Andy HansonAspen, Colo.

Not having been to Kenya let alone Northern Kenya where the Maasai live I believe the book seems to give a good account of the lives of the Ariaal people. It was captivating to learn about the traditions and customs of these amazing people. It also provided insight into how life is experienced based on our perspective- Captivating Inspiring Funny. The only detraction for me is that it was over far too quickly. I guess that is a testament to how interesting a read it was. In the final analysis it is a story of inspiration to those going through hardship- Mountains are made to be surmounted Also it speaks about the need to have pride in your origins and that one does not have to sacrifice one's culture in the pursuit for progress and advancement Kudos to Lemosolai for making pressing onward to your goals and more so for showing tangible commitment to your heritage and people.

I loved this story so much that I couldn't put the book down. The author put me there in the setting, experiencing his challenges and learning along with him.

We just returned from a phenomenal adventure in Tanzania. My 10 year old daughter and I were on safari for 11 days while my husband; her Dad climbed (and summited!) Kilimanjaro. I wanted give my daughter more information and hopefully an understanding of the people of this land we were visiting. When we had the opportunity to visit a Maasai boma she was explaining things to me. It really opened her eyes to the amount of responsibility that is placed on the children there. Not only did she read about it but was able to see it in action. She really enjoyed retelling Joseph's stories to us. Especially about the Hyena!!! Well written for children aged eight and up. Perhaps a bit young for anyone over the age of twelve. But all the adults passed it around and read it too. Thinking of getting another copy to donate to our school library!

Good quick read, arrived as stated and timely.

I received the book from Amazon.com, just before my lunch break on a Friday afternoon. I went to a nearby park, and just about two hours later, I had finished reading it. Wow! Unbeknownst to me, the book had shut out the world around me for two hours!Not only did I find the author's story quite exceptional, he has a way of telling it, interspersed with humor. Some lines just left me rolling down with laughter. Within those humorous lines, however, is a humbling story of a young man who emerged from the harsh world of the northern Kenya frontier to become a success story in the academic world. Very few people can do both. Many fall by the wayside. The author just soldiered on.I'm glad I bought the book, and I can't wait to read it to my 6-year old, chapter-by-chapter, every night.Excellent book.

The book chronicles the growing up of the author, divided between the Kenyan savannah and his education, which was mostly at least somewhat removed. In some ways the stories follow on to eachother, but not necessarily all in chronological order.While the main message - that all hardships can be overcome if one perseveres - is present throughout, the rest provides a somewhat colourful background. Especially interesting were the episodes, where the author interacts with the then Kenyan president Arap Moi, presenting him in a rather better light than is usual (not a lot of his dictatorial characteristics comming through).While the book is endearing overall and I can definitely see how it is something I would give my children to read, it falls a bit short in my opinion to make it into a real 5 star read - the language, descriptions, story, none of them have the quite vividness and energy for that.

This was a delightful little read, really a collection of short tales of a Maasai boy/youth growing up in northern Kenya, and attending a missionary school, & going on to a higher school in Nakuru. I spent a wonderful holiday in Kenya in the 70's, then worked for some months in former French Somalia in the very early 90's, so took considerable pleasure from reading this, as it brought back memories of these times.

I originally wanted it to use as a story for the class for another culture. It has fantastic setting description- however some of the gramma is not correct. The boys especially picked this book of the shelf to read and were hooked. Just be aware there is a chapter on circumcision.

I've just finished reading this book and have to say I did enjoy it. I hadn't realised though that it's a book for young people! My fault probably - should have read the Amazon small print.The story of Joseph growing up is an inspiration to anyone who thinks they have it tough!

The narrative here tends to focus on specific events more than a traditional linear narrative. Once you get past this, the book gives a strong insight into the ways in which education was perceived by the writer's family and friends. Definitely worth reading.