How I Found Livingstone

I had heard the famous line when Stanley met Livingstone in Africa after a long search: Doctor Livingstone, I presume? This is the true story of Stanleys search, as told by him. It was an amazing adventure - though one most of us would prefer to experience vicariously. Stanley was working for a New York newspaper when his boss told him to look for the explorer Dr. Livingstone, who had not been heard from in years and was variously thought to be dead, in danger, or avoiding contact. Stanley simply picked up and went, without hesitation, on the way following instructions to visit and write about the opening of the Suez Canal, the sights of lower and upper Egypt, Warrens excavations in Jerusalem, Persia, and India. His real challenge started when he reached Africa and had to organize an expedition to the interior. Turns out that money was useless in the interior. To pay for food and tribute to local chiefs, he had to purchase and carry large bales of cloth and strings of beads - different types and colors for the various tribes whose territories he expected to pass through. And then he had to hire many native bearers to carry these heavy loads - with extra cloth to pay for their food, too. Of course there were other difficulties - malaria, greedy local chiefs, wars, difficult terrain, floods, ... . Sit in your comfortable chair in your screened home and read all about this most challenging and uncomfortable trip. Happy reading!

I thought it was dated but that would be expected but I enjoyed it. I thought the choice of words at times was interesting.

While the value of this book for historical research is unquestionable, I found the account to be often somewhat tedious to slog through. Stanley must have felt the same way on many a grueling days march. Parts of the book were quite interesting, particularly to me those portions dealing with Stanleys meeting with and association with David Livingstone. I listened to the Audible Audio unabridged version of this book and found the narration to be good. The printed book might be a better choice for the casual reader as one could skim over less interesting portions of the book more easily and any maps contained therein might be of some help. The average armchair adventure reader might prefer to check out Tim Jeals Stanley, a book I highly recommend.

This is an essential read for any scholar of African history. For sure this work will now be seen as politically incorrect in places but it reflects the issues of the Age. Travel with Stanley from the coastal swamps to the great lake Tanganyika and witness his immortal meeting with Livingstone. The descriptions of the people, animals and environment are outstanding.

This first hand account is the definitive work of how Stanley found Livingstone as well as conditions surrounding the exploration of eastern Africa in the 19th century.

First let me say that I dont particularly enjoy reading fiction, I like interesting & adventurous non-fiction ), but on the rare occasion that I find a book that I actually would like to learn more about, then Im in. This book is well written and a first hand account of Stanleys adventures. Its fascinating to read his thoughts about far away peoples that I assume were foreign to most at the time. The manner in which they all speak and the pomp and circumstance of the interactions between Stanley, dignitaries, noblemen, tribesman and merchants is very interesting. It rather gives the feel of an Indiana Jones movie! I am shocked how interesting this book is so far and Im only on Chapter 4! AND...I havent even gotten to the parts that Im interested in - the Congo jungle! If you like adventure tales, you should check this book out!!

this book is very very very repetitive (did you catch catch that?). However, Henry transports you to Africa right into the tribal culture, which is purely a magical read.

A good read, a little heavy but thorough. A good companion to Livingstons Africa

The book is the exerts of Sir Henry Stanley, a journalist who was presented with the task of finding Dr. Livingstone, an explorer who had been missing for two years and presumed dead. Stanleys travels were documented by his newspaper, to much fanfare. Stanley had no clue about central Africa, what to pack, what to expect, and ends up facing what youd expect in Africa: harsh conditions, diseases, natives who dont appreciate him being on their land, and jungles that he was no equipped for. It is a tale of lively tale of struggles and intrigue, a very good read.

Henry Stanley was a muckraking journalist for the New York Herald, when he was given the assignment of his career: Find Livingstone! by telegram. Dr. Livingstone was a long lost English missionary-turned-explorer, whose obsession with finding the beginning of the Nile consumed his life in later years. Finding Dr Livingstone, in turn became Stanleys obsession. Stanleys writing spares nobody; not even himself. Incapable of hiding his characteristic arrogance, he freely describes everything he does and sees while trekking through Africa. Call him what you will, but in his dogged determination to effect his goal, he exhibits more courage and tenacity than most explorers of his time. He regularly doles out beatings for thievery and the like, while navigating his caravan through warring tribes, unforgiving weather, and deadly jungles. He takes joy in shooting the animals of Africa, and recounts his hunts with conceited pomp. Yet one cannot help but admire his ability to pilot all of the intense scenes in which one mistake on his part could mean death for himself and his whole team. This book, downloaded to my kindle phone app, had no pictures or maps. It is one of the few books I will happily read again, and I was sorry to see it end.