DCLA Reads Book Club

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The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu And Their Race to Save the World's Most Precious Manuscripts

by Joshua Hammer

About the book

Click here for an excerpt, related articles, and more from the publisher. 

**New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice**

To save ancient Arabic texts from Al Qaeda, a band of librarians pulls off a brazen heist worthy of Ocean’s Eleven in this “fast-paced narrative that is…part intellectual history, part geopolitical tract, and part out-and-out thriller” (The Washington Post) from the author of The Falcon Thief.

In the 1980s, a young adventurer and collector for a government library, Abdel Kader Haidara, journeyed across the Sahara Desert and along the Niger River, tracking down and salvaging tens of thousands of ancient Islamic and secular manuscripts that were crumbling in the trunks of desert shepherds. His goal: preserve this crucial part of the world’s patrimony in a gorgeous library. But then Al Qaeda showed up at the door.

“Part history, part scholarly adventure story, and part journalist survey…Joshua Hammer writes with verve and expertise” (The New York Times Book Review) about how Haidara, a mild-mannered archivist from the legendary city of Timbuktu, became one of the world’s greatest smugglers by saving the texts from sure destruction. With bravery and patience, Haidara organized a dangerous operation to sneak all 350,000 volumes out of the city to the safety of southern Mali. His heroic heist “has all the elements of a classic adventure novel” (The Seattle Times), and is a reminder that ordinary citizens often do the most to protect the beauty of their culture. His the story is one of a man who, through extreme circumstances, discovered his higher calling and was changed forever by it.

Chapters 1-9 Discussion Questions

Introduction & Historical Context (Chapters 1-3)

1. What were your initial impressions of Abdel Kader Haidara? How did his early experiences shape his passion for preserving manuscripts?
2. Timbuktu is often romanticized in history. What did you learn about its actual significance as a center of learning and culture?
3. How did colonial rule impact the preservation and accessibility of the Timbuktu manuscripts?
4. What do you think motivated Haidara to take on the enormous task of collecting and preserving manuscripts?

The Journey to Preserve Manuscripts (Chapters 4-6)

5. Haidara traveled extensively to retrieve manuscripts. What challenges did he face in convincing families to part with their documents?
6. What role did the Ahmed Baba Institute play in the preservation of Mali’s literary heritage?
7. How does Haidara’s story highlight the relationship between oral history and written records in West African culture?
8. What did you think of Haidara’s approach to fundraising and building support for manuscript preservation?

Emerging Threats & Political Shifts (Chapters 7-9)

9. How did the rise of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) begin to threaten Timbuktu’s cultural heritage?
10. What were some of the warning signs that instability in Mali could impact Haidara’s preservation efforts?
11. How did Haidara’s work evolve as the political situation in Mali became more volatile?
12. Based on what you've read so far, do you think the world does enough to protect cultural heritage during conflicts?

Chapters 10-19 Discussion Questions

Chapter 10: The Rising Threat of Extremism

• Theme: The Impact of Al Qaeda on Timbuktu
  • How did Al Qaeda’s control of Timbuktu disrupt daily life, particularly for scholars and cultural institutions?
  • What strategies did the extremists use to enforce their rule, and how did people resist or adapt?

Chapter 11: Planning the Escape

• Theme: The Urgency to Protect History

  • What were the biggest obstacles Haidara and his team faced when planning the manuscript rescue?
  • How do you think Haidara’s background and personality contributed to his ability to lead such a risky operation?

Chapter 12: The Manuscript Smuggling Begins

• Theme: The Courage of Cultural Preservationists

  • How did Haidara and his network of librarians begin smuggling the manuscripts out of Timbuktu?
  • What does their commitment to saving these documents reveal about the importance of cultural heritage?

Chapter 13: Risking Everything

• Theme: Logistics and Danger of Smuggling*
  • What were the most dangerous moments in transporting the manuscripts?
  • What role did secrecy and community trust play in the success of the operation?

Chapter 14: Political and Military Intervention

• Theme: International Responses to the Crisis
  • How did Mali’s government and foreign allies react to the growing extremist threat?
  • Do you think earlier intervention could have changed the course of events? Why or why not?

Chapter 15: Jihadists Fight Back

• Theme: The Destruction of Cultural Heritage
  • How did Al Qaeda retaliate when they realized the manuscripts were being moved?
  • What does their destruction of historical sites say about the motivations of extremist groups?

Chapter 16: The French Military Intervention

• Theme: The Role of Foreign Powers in Mali’s Conflict
  • How did the French military intervention impact the region?
  • Do you think the intervention was necessary or inevitable? Why?

Chapter 17: The Aftermath of War

• Theme: Rebuilding After Conflict
  • What long-term effects did the occupation and war have on Timbuktu and its people?
  • How did the survival of the manuscripts symbolize resilience and hope for the city?

Chapter 18: The Future of Mali’s Manuscripts

• Theme: Preservation and the Digital Age
  • What steps were taken to ensure the manuscripts' long-term preservation?
  • How do you think digital preservation compares to physical preservation of ancient texts?

Chapter 19: Reflecting on the Legacy of Haidara’s Work

• Theme: Librarianship as Activism
  • How does Haidara’s story redefine the role of librarians in society?
  • What can modern librarians and archivists learn from his efforts?

Final Reflections

• What was the most surprising or inspiring part of this book for you?
• How does this story connect to broader issues of cultural preservation and the importance of protecting knowledge?
• Do you think similar threats to cultural heritage exist today? If so, where?