A New Day Dawns


Non-Fiction - Travel
200 Pages
Reviewed on 10/25/2021
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

A New Day Dawns by Terry Lister is a non-fiction travelogue that follows its author as he explores countries in West Africa, making this the second volume in his Travels With Terry series. The book begins with an introduction to Terry for those of us who are just meeting him for the first time, followed by eight chapters of travel content that covers his time in the coastal countries of Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, and Ghana. Lister provides historical and cultural backstory to each place he visits and commingles the narrative with photographs and his own personal journey. These range in tone and tenor from the small, such as a three-hour wait for a mediocre dinner in Sierra Leone, to a slave castle and the infamous Door of No Return in Ghana.

Terry Lister is the guy that everybody wants to be friends with. He's well-traveled, articulate, and makes you feel like you've known him for years a few pages in after cracking open his book. A New Day Dawns is written simply and conversationally, in a way that connects his work to his organic experiences. Some of the photographs are blurry and faded and, frankly, really add to the charm of an already enjoyable experience. Sure, there are fancier travel books out there, but what sets Lister apart is the authenticity of his text. This is a man on a journey that transcends travel for the sake of travel.

This is an immersive experiment that is relayed to readers who, like Lister, want to dig below any and all superficial surfaces. In the small details, Lister shines, like the recounting of a journey from Monrovia to Zwedru that was supposed to take eight hours but eclipses 25. To this end, he states naturally, "This is Africa!" Thank you, Terry, for taking us along! Very highly recommended.

Emily-Jane Hills Orford

J.R.R. Tolkien wrote, “Not all those who wander are lost….” Profound words to consider, especially for someone like Terry Lister, who’s fascinated with exploring the world, particularly West Africa. Wandering through war-torn, impoverished countries and entering wild, untamed landscapes, this adventurer has a single goal: to “bring greater understanding and appreciation for the people I meet and see in the places visited.” This travel author isn’t looking for the pristine, posh vacation spots that dot the planet; he’s exploring places like Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, and Ghana, western African countries that have seen more than their share of turmoil over the years, places unpopulated by hordes of tourists despite the many beautiful settings and fascinating history each country has to share. He’s intent on going beyond the safety net of the usual tourist traps.

A New Day Dawns is the second installment in his Travels With Terry Series. The author mixes with the people he visits and gets to know what it means to live where they do. He chooses the unexpected locales to heighten his adventure, from remote, charmingly beautiful beaches and busy marketplaces to thick forests and, yes, castles and forts from the long bygone colonial era. Terry Lister is a gifted storyteller who makes every adventure unforgettable. His travelogue is an engaging read. The author shares his knowledge of local history as he brings together a fascinating tale of unexpected adventure.

Natalie Soine

A New Day Dawns by Terry Lister takes readers on a historical tour of West Africa, including Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, and Ghana. We are introduced to forests, castles, markets, beaches, and much more with vivid descriptions and various interesting photos. Terry explains how Sierra Leone and Liberia have managed to recover from recent civil wars and describes the famous cotton tree and national museum. Deforestation is a huge problem as trees are used to build houses, leading to environmental damage from which the country will never recover. A chimpanzee sanctuary opened in 1995 houses almost 100 chimps. In addition, there are churches, diamond mines, and extraction sites to learn about. These countries are still suffering the consequences of the slave trade from a few hundred years ago. Sierra Leone was struck by an Ebola outbreak which brought death to the country for thousands of people. Since then, facilities have improved.

With humor and adventure, Terry takes us on the path less traveled along the African coast. Terry shares information on how to travel around, which towns to visit, and where to stay. There is a useful index and map in the book and a variety of photos that help readers visualize the various areas. All the information is thoroughly researched and presented clearly, with important travel information unavailable elsewhere. Terry gives advice on interacting with the various cultures and village inhabitants, taxi drivers, etc. There is also vital information on what foods to eat and how to avoid contracting malaria. A New Day Dawns is a must-read for any person interested in traveling through Africa.

Otto trott

“A New Day Dawns” Terry Lister’s Book II in the Travels with Terry Series continues into Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast and Ghana. The title is appropriate because this book is full of adventure and excitement every day. Terry was up at dawn on many days, to get a “good” seat in an overcrowded car. You will learn about the several types of third world transport that would amaze anyone in the West. There are rides on all sorts of terrain, there are river crossings and boat rides to islands. In golf they say, “its’ not how you drive it’s how you arrive.” The drives are part of this great odyssey across 4 African countries but there are interesting stories when you do arrive at each place. He describes crossing borders and going through Customs and Immigration. You learn about each country’s culture. You learn about the languages spoken, significant African kingdoms, the colonial past, post-independence progress and setbacks. Some have had civil wars and survived outbreaks of dangerous diseases, but the people have been resilient. You will find out which countries mine gold and diamonds. Rubber, cocoa and cashews are products of agriculture in the region. Find out what happens where. This is a fun book to read packed with information and you could call this a travel book, and adventure story or even a geography book. I recommend reading it. You will enjoy it.

Rotimi Martins



“A NEW DAY DAWNS” – Terry Lister

Terry Lister has done it again! He’s out with his new book, following the award winning IMMERSED IN WEST AFRICA.

I must confess, due to a hectic schedule, it took me a few days to open A NEW DAY DAWNS. But, once I started, I could hardly put the book down until the end.

The first paragraph of the introduction got me. I had to read the book! His reasons for traveling and the wealth of experience acquired on his travels are clearly established in the introduction

A NEW DAY DAWNS takes us on a fun and educational journey through four West African countries – Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast and Ghana. We see Terry living and interacting with the locals of each country, experiencing the beauty and challenges of each one; learning about (and appreciating) each culture.

Although it is a great read for everyone, I would recommend A NEW DAY DAWNS to anyone intending to go to any of the countries. It is very informative, fun-filled and simply well written, by a research solo traveler.


'Rotimi Martins.

Dana Dunn Smith

DANA DUNN SMITH’S REVIEW OF A NEW DAY DAWNS TERRY LISTER’S SOLO JOURNEY IN WEST AFRICA!
A NEW DAY DAWNS is a well written, well needed and an excellent scenario that the world should be interested to know about. A story such as this one will leave you drenched in metamorphosis!
Terry Lister’s writing of A NEW DAY DAWNS is a book that will bring consciousness to the unconscious minds who may now be forced to understand the profound beauty and enormous riches of the African continent and the painful dilemma that plagued it more than five hundred years ago. His writings demonstrates that the regrettable destruction of humanity is just as lethal today as in the past!
A NEW DAY DAWNS is written by an author with a heart compelled to share his findings from his many researched visits to West Africa. I think he may have been haunted by his love for Mother Africa to where he felt an obligation to visit the graveyard, maybe even trying to wake up the living dead. I say kudos to Terry’s efficiency in his attention to Africa and Her historical dilemma, from Kings and Queens robberies slavery’s degradation and segregation. In my humble opinion, the author Terry Lister is worthy to be remembered in our historical books and paintings.

Readers, you are in for a wide awakening in a pleasant way, when you read Terry Lister A NEW DAY DAWNS: Terry’s solo journey in West Africa. This carefully researched, narrated and written book is a winner. This historical scenario is probably one of the best narrations coming out of the continent of Mother Africa. This is the author’s second book based on West Africa.
Such a well written book will be a tribute to Bermuda and a Bermudian writer with the capability that carefully and accurately captures the attention with its narration of the historical beauty as well as the ugly downfall of Mother Africa. Mother Africa is wailing, listen to her fragile sounds. She is begging for help!
You will notice the profoundly beautiful and striking pictures displaying ancient Africa, a production of Mother Nature. I am flabbergasted how religious the Author is just by his emphasis in revolutionizing the many beautiful churches that stand as the religious pillow of Mother Africa. Then came the materialistic tsunami mountain of poverty in a continent that produced riches for Her Nation that spread from continent to continent. Terry shares his visions of the Africans’ world power in that time. Queen Cleopatra, Queen Nefertiti, King Tut and all the kingdoms of supreme power that were all stripped away.
The Africans’ dilemma derived from the envy, greed, and deadly deceptions of the white men, who used the bible and cheap gifts such as rum and tobacco. They programmed the Africans to where they captured the continent. Like a plague their diseases spread, and they murdered the gullible. They murdered the Nation self-worth they massacred their family values and their humane existence.
The African leaders owned all the powers but refused to be authoritative, so they surrendered their Kingship, kneeled, and succumbed to dehumanization. With rubies, diamonds, silver, pearls, gold, exotic Animals, minerals, oil, and the land, Africa became the enrichment mine of all the white nations, which led to their profound and vicious power today.
Those who assumed power did so by profound deceptions. They captured, raped, murdered, enslaved, chained, whipped, and stripped the gullible of their birthright, human rights, and all their other rights. The riches that God had granted His chosen children are now in the control of the wicked.
The richest continents have reached such a degrading stage where they now leave the windows wide open for those who murdered their entire existence to revisit an even more gruesome vengeance. They would like to finish what they started. However, today some Africans proudly worship their slave masters, accepting what they command as the gospel. They dehumanized the most powerful nation, a continent that must have been very special to the Creator because He blessed it with riches beyond any other, our African metropolis still standing although weakened by overwhelming thievery and insecurity.
By journeying into A NEW DAY DAWNS, you will be experiencing a metamorphosis. Your eyes will be opened to the African metropolis as you read a historic masterpiece narration by a proud Bermudian brother, whose desire is to bring Africa to you or to one day bring you to Africa.
Terry will send you on a very provocative journey into the historic nature of Mother Africa. A NEW DAY DAWNS: TERRY LISTER’S SOLO JOURNEY IN WEST AFRICA is pure revolutionary gold.
Author and opinion Writer Dana Dunn Smith.

Linda King

"A new Day Dawns" by seasoned traveller Terry Lister is the ultimate African memoir. Terry takes us on an epic journey through four African countries; Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast and Ghana.

An interesting, personal first hand account full of thrills, spills and beauty. The countries Terry travelled are relatively untouched and at varying degrees of development.

A very enjoyable read full of humour and inspiration. It makes you want to jump on a plane to Africa!
Do yourself a favour, make sure you check out this entertaining and informative book. A must read for the avid traveller!

Michelle Simmons

If you are interested in the history, population, built heritage and culture of West Africa you will have many reasons to read this book. In his second publication about his solo travels in West Africa, Terry Lister provides an inviting and honest account of what it is like to be a tourist in West Africa.
Before leaving home, Terry spends time carefully planning his trips but this does not mean there are not challenges, especially with transport and the infrastructure of some of the countries visited. However, armed with a great sense of adventure, Terry seems to take everything in stride, dealing with the challenges of lengthy uncomfortable rides on roads with a variety of surfaces from highways to dirt roads, and vehicles such as motos, tuk tuks and taxis of various descriptions- which are usually carrying more passengers than their capacity allows! The reward for his patience and endurance was getting a good look at some places, both on and off the beaten path.
His trip took him to all the usual places, as well as the Banana Islands off the Sierra Leone peninsula, the diamond mines of Bo, the iron ore, oil and rubber industries in Liberia, the Abidjan Zoo and the largest church in the world in Cote D’Ivoire, as well as the lush forests of Ghana. Terry describes spending some deeply touching moments in Elmina Castle, a World Heritage Site, in Ghana which was once used by the Colonial powers in the Atlantic slave trade. Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Kingdom and the second largest city in Ghana, is a real tourist resort area with a fascinating history, and here the writer learns about some of the Ashanti traditions.
Terry’s photos bring the written word to life, and I found myself wanting to see more. I have no doubt that this book will capture your interest from the first page and will make you want to learn more about West Africa.

Book Excellence Awards

Book Review of A New Day Dawns: My Solo Journey into West Africa

A New Day Dawns: My Solo Journey Into West Africa by Terry Lister is an engaging personal travel guide that explores the author’s solo adventures through Sierra Leone, Liberia, the Ivory Coast and Ghana. Lister’s enthusiasm, courage and adventurous spirit make this book an exciting read for anyone who is looking to learn more about travelling within Africa. Lister holds nothing back in describing his experiences—mixing interesting historical facts and stories, with touching memories and humorous anecdotes of his own. The inclusion of photos of places Lister has visited helps bring context and depth to the book, making it easier for readers to visualize and take in the beauty West Africa has to offer. Readers looking for an exciting adventure will be able to live vicariously through Lister, in his honest account of his journey through West Africa. - Review by Book Excellence (bookexcellence.com)