David Livingstone: Missionary and Explorer (Heroes of the Faith (Barbour Paperback)) [Paperback]

Sam Wellman (Author)

Book Description

Series: Heroes of the Faith (Barbour Paperback) | Publication Date: October 1, 1995

Discusses the explorer's formative years in Scotland, training as a missionary, expeditions to Africa, and many discoveries there.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 9^-12. For 32 years Scottish missionary and doctor David Livingstone carried the message of the Christian gospel as he trekked more than 40,000 miles from Cape Town through central Africa. This very detailed biography in the Heroes of the Faith series gives a strong sense of his commitment to his missionary work and his courage as an explorer. Unfortunately, there is some of the usual dark-Africa nonsense about heathen, savage native tribes who speak in dialects. However, Wellman makes clear that, unlike many white colonials, Livingstone was driven not to grab people's land but to save their souls. Many whites hated him because he was outraged by slavery and treated black Africans as equals. He tried to develop trade as the key to spreading the gospel and stopping war. There is some fictionalization, especially about his childhood, but the quotes from his extensive diaries will draw readers to both the humble man of God and the public heroic adventurer. Hazel Rochman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Book Description

Amidst the millions of committed Christians in each generation, a handful rise to special prominence. Learn more about their exciting and inspiring lives in Barbour's "Heroes of the Faith" series.

To go where no missionary had ever been and to witness to peoples beyond the vast Kalahari were the dreams of this missionary and explorer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Incorporated (October 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557487308
• ISBN-13: 978-1557487308
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,684,914 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sam Wellman, PhD, is a writer of numerous biographies. His latest book is 'Frederick the Wise: Seen and Unseen Lives of Martin Luther's Protector', published by Wild Centuries Press. He has traveled to Germany many times and twice stayed for several months (Berlin and Wittenberg). He blogs and tweets on Martin Luther and Frederick the Wise. He lives near Wichita, Kansas.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quick and Simple Read..., February 27, 2005

By 

R. Eberz (Beijing, PRC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: David Livingstone: Missionary and Explorer (Heroes of the Faith (Barbour Paperback)) (Paperback)

Recently when looking over a shared bookshelf, I made choice to read something I intended to be simple and quick. I was not disappointed. This short book was both simple and quick. A bit of a cross between a long magazine article and a children's book. It did however satisfy a basic understanding of David Livingstone's life.

The series title 'Heroes of the Faith' certainly gives some insight into where the reader is about to embark. Mr. Wellman's run of Mr. Livingstone's life is full of excitement and adventure. It is a surface account, yet manages to be well written to provide flow and continuity. If one wishes to get a good general idea of this remarkable man's life and accomplishments this book would be an excellent choice to provide quick satisfaction. I do believe the author accomplishes a goal of providing the reader with the admirable aspects of Livingstone's life in a easily digestible format. The book also creates a desire to do further reading on David Livingstone.

The series title 'Heroes of the Faith' also provides insight into shortcomings of this work. David Livingstone is painted in a very positive light. Even when the author does mention some of his shortcomings or faults the reader finds themselves wondering if he is really mentioning a shortcoming. The intention is to portray a hero, not to provide a critical look at his life and work. One is however able to read between the lines that perhaps Mr. Livingstone was not the easiest individual with which to get along. I do not feel the author was trying to hide this from the reader, but rather focus on Mr. Livingstone's strengths.

I would definitely suggest this book as an introduction to David Livingstone's life and work. I give it 4 out of 5 stars as I feel the author accomplishes his goal of portraying a hero in a very easily read format. Minus one star for at times minimizing Livingstone's faults too far.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very delightful read about an amazing man..., March 7, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: David Livingstone: Missionary and Explorer (Heroes of the Faith (Barbour Paperback)) (Paperback)

David Livingstone's life is all but forgotten in this generation that despises anything missionary or Christian but this is a shame. For Mr. Livingstone was ahead of his time in his treatment of the lovely African peoples. He treated them with sensitivity and respect in an age when most white men wanted to 'steal' the blacks and sell them into slavery or abuse them for their own greedy purposes. Livingstone showed the patience, kindness, and mercy that are required of those who heed God's calling as missionaries. Sam Wellman presents the life of this extraordinary man in layman's terms. A beautiful book about a beautiful human being and the people that his life touched.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A bold servant of Christ Brings the Gospel to Africa, August 26, 2001

By 

Joshua V. Schneider (Hawaii) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: David Livingstone: Missionary and Explorer (Heroes of the Faith (Barbour Paperback)) (Paperback)

I found this biography to be an interesting glimpse into the life of Dr. David Livingstone. Having no prior knowledge of this Missionary to Africa, I found this to be a very informative book. With admirable strength and courage balanced with humility, all supplied by the Holy Spirit , Dr. Livingstone hiked through the wilderness of Africa, intent on showing the natives the love of Christ. By his kindness and fairness to the African tribes, and by oral preaching in their own languages, he brought the saving news of Jesus Christ to them. He helped to heal animosity between neighboring tribes, and sought to replace the horrible slave trade with honest commerce by searching out water routes to the interior of Africa. Overall, following him through his struggles and sorrows built an attitude of respect for Dr. Livingstone and his work, making for an excellent book.