How I Found Livingstone

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.

African history without the politcally correct filter. Written in a 19th century style that tells of the trials of safari in early Africa

For someone who has an Africa upbringing, a map of his travels would have been helpful , very few of the tribes or chiefs were necessary to the story. It is interesting that the Arabs dominated so many of the tribes near the east coast of Africa. Yet the British and Americans have all taken the blame.

How I Found Livingstone; travels, adventures, and discoveries in Central Africa, including an account of… By Henry M. (Henry Morton) Stanley The book starts when Mr. Stanley (for short) was sent by the manager of the “New York Herald”, Mr. Bennett James Gordon, on a journey to get news and perhaps bring back Dr. Livingstone , circa 1870-1871. Preparation for such a journey began in Zanzibar and had to be thought out and planned. The trip seems to go through endless country with interesting views and experiences, Such as one would encounter in the vastness of Africa .They paid tariffs to the tribal chiefs along the way by taking portions from rolls of cloth and beads they had brought with them to give to the chiefs. The caravan could go no further than Unyanyembe because of an impending war brought on by Mirambo a renegade chieftain. It was heard that Livingston had traveled that way and it was hoped that he may have passed that way before the hostilities began. A band of Arabs was sent out to war against the renegade tribe but were unsuccessful and had to retreat. After traveling West they had to go West via a Southern route and arrived at Ujiji where Dr. Livingston was reported to be. Travel was accomplished by caravan hiking maybe 10 or 15 miles per day and then camping by night. Although Dr. Livingstone made missionary travels, his later ambition was to find the head waters of the Nile . Dr. Livingston discovered that the Chambezi river what the most southern tributary of the Nile. The book gives account of Dr. Livingston’s explorations as far back as 1866. Lake Tanganika being the Southern most reservoir of the Nile was explored by Mr. Stanley and Dr. Livingstone before Mr. Stanley returned to Zanzibar. When in Zanzibar Mr. Stanley was to gather up men and arms for Livingston’s continued exploration as he was in need of porters. Dr. Livingston had ambition of searching out the source of the Nile before he considered returning to civilization. The description of the country side leaves one in awe as to the beauty and vistas that Africa offers. The different obsticles they encountered and overcoming them keeps one riveted to the book.

Great book on African exploration and adventure---if you like this book you will also want to read:

If you like original oral history This book is for you. This book gives a lot of insight into the customs and social interations of that period. I enjoyed it very much. Some of the older words needed a bit of research for me but that is part of the fun of reading older books.

Just a note: This IS a very nice compact edition. Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.8 x 1.6 inches. Dont worry about the font size, as it is large enough to read easily. The pictures are quite well done, including engravings from Stanleys original edition and color prints and maps. The margins are one-half inch, so if you are one to write notes, this will be a little cramped for you. This is a straight-forward tale that reads like the adventure story it is.

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.

Great reading. What a lot of dangers and deprivations Mr. Stanley went through in those early stages of Africa,