MALARIA DREAMS An African Adventure by Stuart Stevens (Atlantic Monthly: $9.95)

Seduced by the idea of experiencing Africa, Stuart Stevens casually agreed to drive a friend’s Land Rover from the Central African Republic, through the Sahel and Sahara, to the Mediterranean coast. Stevens and his companion quickly learned that the terrors of modern Africa are not the ravening beasts and savage tribes of Tarzan movies, but corrupt, inefficient bureaucracies; the routine failure of basic mechanical devices; the climate and the appalling lack of medical facilities. Given their minimal preparations, it’s a wonder the pair survived the journey, which is more entertaining to read about than it was to experience. Atlantic Monthly has unforgivably published this irreverent travelogue without any maps.