How I Found Livingstone

My favorite nonfiction read of 2013. It is indelibly imprinted on my mind. First person narrative of firsthand accounts from the British Colonial Period are absolutely fascinating.

Though no longer the sensational best-seller it was at the time it was published, the book remains well-worth reading. I was particularly impressed by the authors determination and ability to overcome the most formidable obstacles. As Stanley himself put it, “where the civilized white is found, a difficulty must vanish. What a contrast with the present, when almost every time the armed forces of Western nations try to do something in the so-called Third World they are defeated and expelled

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!

not impressed

This is Mr Stanleys accurate account of his travails in Africa, and it is never what you think. The bugs, the people, the muck, not the animals. Also an insight into the medical ignorance of the day. Learn the real value of cloth in Dotis. Yes folks, money in Africa was carried in bales....cloth. Dr Livingston really really could have used google earth and penicillin, but alas....

Very sastified

How can one complain about a work so classic that all these years later it is still part of the public lexicon? And I can hardly complain about the price, can I ? It is a great budget stretcher for those of us who like Kindle reading.

Great shape!

not a bad read, and you cant beat the free price.........haha

Dr. Stanley went through a thousand villages to get to Livingstone and wrote a chapter on each one. At the time the book was written cruelty was the norm and it hurt to read it. It was interesting to read the thoughts of that day however.