Meine Mission nach Abessinien Auf Befehl Sr. Maj. des Deutschen Kaisers im Winter 1880/81 unternommen

A German officer receives a winter 1880/81 commission from the emperor to travel deep into Ethiopia, a land still being charted by explorers from Portugal, Britain, France and Italy. He sets out with a small scientific team, including the mineralogist Dr Stecker, to fill the gaps in knowledge about the country’s rivers, mountains, and hidden resources. The opening pages already convey the harsh climate and the curiosity that drives the expedition forward.

The narrative blends careful geographical reporting with personal observation, revealing how locals extract iron, sift gold from river sands and hint at untapped coal seams. Detailed sketches by the talented illustrator Zander accompany the text, turning rugged valleys and bustling markets into vivid visual snapshots. A large map, enlarged for clarity, helps listeners picture the routes taken across the varied terrain.

Beyond the raw data, the author captures the atmosphere of a nation at once wild and fragmented, offering modern listeners a rare glimpse into 19th‑century Ethiopian life through the eyes of a determined German explorer.