Explorer

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

The PBS-TV series Explorer, produced by Gersi, gave viewers a sense of his daring life as an explorer-filmmaker, but not half so dramatically as his explicit autobiography. Soon after his birth in Czechoslovakia in 1947, his family migrated to the Belgian Congo (now Zaire). Early experiences as a hunter inspired Gersi's lust for adventuring into the world's uncharted territories: islands in the Sulu Archipelago, Borneo, etc. He has lived with such tribes as the head hunters of Borneo (who made him a member) and shared their sometimes dreadful customs, such as eating dogs boiled alive. The explorer's career will inform and absorb those who can tolerate the daunting parts of the book and Gersi's self-aggrandizing posture. Photos not seen by PW. (November 9)

Library Journal

Gersi is a Czech-born, African and Belgium-raised, Los Angeles-based documentary filmmaker, producer/star of Explore, a PBS mini-series. He recounts his often incredible adventures among primitive tribes of the Philippines and Borneo. All of the standard elements are here: snakes, leeches, crocodiles, bears, man-eating ants, abandonment by porters, and initiation into a headhunting tribe. While Gersi gives interesting and vivid descriptions of the Kalingas, Punans, Dayaks, etc., he also reveals much of himself. Unfortunately, he comes off as a self-serving braggart, who lacks consideration for the peoples he exploits. Not recommended. Harold M. Otness, Southern Oregon State Coll. Lib., Ashland