Jerry Smith's Into the Heart of Africa

Call for a personally dedicated copy. 1-877-799-8119 x9123
https://www.facebook.com/TheHeartOfAfrica

or call the author directly at 1-641-653-4436 for an autographed copy.

Adventurers went over 8000 miles DIAGONALLY across Africa on Motorcycle including the Sahara Desert! See the pictures here. This is one of my tributes to dad. I am so honored to have a father like him. He has been an adventurer all his life. Even as a survivor of Polio he went on to be a Professional Motorcycle Racer.

It seemed that he competed in every event he could get in to; the most daring of these competitions being the African 8000. Jerry Smith wrote a book about his amazing African trek & has sold almost 4,000 copies 1 by 1 by himself. Now dad has had his 80th birthday. At 80 yrs young he currently rides his motorcycle around the U.S. to motorcycle rallies & trade shows personally autographing each one. He sells them for $13.50 personally autographed & gift wrapped (by request) for anyone on your Gift Lists.

At this point in his life (the 80 year milestone) Jerry Smith doesn't know if he wants to order more books to sell. I want him to know people are still interested in Adventure. Hearing his amazing stories made me want to travel too; 23 countries later I can't wait until my next trip. See where travel can take you through Jerry Smith's Eyes.

This is my birthday video/tribute to dad. I am so honored to have a father like him. When there wasn't a single person left to tell his stories to...he decided to write a book. ~ Thank you for the stories dad. I love you

Jerry Smith encounters it all in Africa - from spear toting warriors that could have slipped silently from the bush 100 years ago, to tanks and soldiers with modern weapons. Bandits and smugglers, colorful Arabs and near naked Pygmies...it is all in "The Heart of Africa."

Jerry's good humor and adventurous sprit are evident in his crisp writing and descriptions, even when jabbed with a bayonet, mooned by a baboon, and faced with an aggressive native ready to catapult a spear through him. Through his wit and smart writing you will be educated about the African geography, the varied terrain, and the many cultures of its natives.

In the opening chapter, the reader will be riding with Jerry as he races for his life to escape from thieves. The trek crosses a variety of land including narrow valleys, the endless Sahara, rocky trails where nothing leaves a track, to the dense jungle trails.

This odyssey will leave you with a better understanding of Africa and its people. Jerry describes the villages and inhabitants he and the other riders encounter along the way. The war and hardship of living in Africa are noted, however, he exhibits an understanding and sympathy for these people like no other. He also separates from the other riders frequently to closely encounter wild animals and even wilder terrain. For instance, he writes of the freedom and excitement of riding alone on age old trails near Lake Victoria in the northern Serengeti and still gets the chill of fright as he talks about the day a fierce elephant almost killed him.

"Jerry is something of a modern-day Indiana Jones. Yet he has the ability to take the reader along on this exciting motorcycle trip." - A Des Moines, IA reader

Jerry has competed in a variety of racing events from Flat Track races and long Enduro Runs to Demolition Derbies, closed circuit sprint car races, and everything in between. He kept racing into his mid-70's, winning Championships & competing in treacherous enduro races such as the Colorado 500. This is a daring enduro ride in the mountains of Colorado which he competed in 16 times until he was 72.

Even dad's vacations are full of daring escapes; he went from Iowa to Columbia (northern South America) through Central America on Motorcycle, with my mom on the back! TWICE! Did you get that? TWICE! Mom said the trips were exhilarating, dad visited the inside of a Nicaraguan Jail and was forced to stay awhile, they narrowly escaped the near total demise of Managua by earthquake, almost died going into the Irazu Volcano, and were held at gunpoint in El Salvador until my mom convinced the gunmen she and dad were of no threat. And still at 80, when you see him on his motorcycle you can't tell his age or notice the limp from Polio; he's a champion again, living a life of high adventure, riding fast down the back stretch to another winner's circle.

We're so proud of you dad.

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[Travel4two]

 ★☆¸.✫*¨*♦.¸¸.✶ Thank you for all of your wonderful comments. ★☆¸.✫*¨*♦.¸¸.✶ Dad is 84 now and is still setting up his displays at various shows for book signings. He's such a trooper and some great person always helps him set up all the heavy stuff. The kindness of strangers exists; thank you...

[Jeffro1212]

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Smith at the vintage AMA meet in Ohio...I had a great time talking with him. After I started reading the book, it was hard to put down. Thanks a million Mr Smith.

[Travel4two]

How kind of you to say. I'll be sure to pass the message on to him.

If you would like to keep up with some of his excursions and see more pictures you are welcome to go to his Fan Club page at:

w's then FaceBook period com forward slash TheHeartOfAfrica

[R850R]

Could you please list here where your dad is going to be selling his books? I saw him this weekend at the Iowa City craft show but didnt get to speak to him. I remembered his website and looked it up tonight. Now I could kick myself for not making time to meet and talk to such a special man. You are blessed to have such a great dad! Please dates and places here if that is possible! If not, if you could provide an email for me to contact you. Otherwise, I'll just have to call him at home.:)

[Travel4two]

He'll be in Waterloo, IA at the McElroy Auditorium for the Gun Show Dec. 26-28th.

[Travel4two]

Hi again,

Just to let you know he has a fan club site on Facebook - though I can't post the link here - I'll send you a message.

Take care,

Jerry Smith's daughter

[boogiemanspud]

I have read the book. Jerry probably knows my father Melvin Mathias. We have both read it and love the book. It really is awesome! I even ride an old 1976 Honda Cb750 with the Jerry Smith's Cycle Ranch decals on the sidecovers!

[TheLindclan]

I have known Jerry most of my life my dad and I would stop at the shop when it was at the Hedrick Y had is a great guy

[electronicartvideos]

I just learned to ride and took my first adventure as a long weekend ride to the Vintage AMA meet in Ohio July 10, 2010. I met and got a signed book and I am several chapters in. Great book so far and has me starting to plan some longer adventures on my Honda. His spirit is inspirational. Thank you Jerry!

[snakenjm]

Great Story! I will look forward to reading the book.... I have worked in Arabia for 20 years and had the pleasure of riding across the Arabian penisula from Dammam on the eastern shore of the Arabian Gulf to Jeddah on the Red Sea (West coast....). There were twelve of us on Harleys.. I hope to visit personally with Jerry when I am home (Sigourney) next time!

[oldkawfan]

I ran into Jerry at the Cedar Rapids Swap Meet last weekend and had a wonderful time talking to him listening to his stories. Even though I am almost 30 years younger we raced some of the same race tracks. He signed a copy of his book for me and I read it in the next couple of days. It was a wonderful adventure. Hedrick is not far from where I live and if we get some good weather yet this fall I would love to get some of my friends to ride there and visit.