Customer Reviews

David Livingstone: The Truth Behind the Legend

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I went to Cecil Rhodes School and my 'sports house' was Livingstone (this was in London). David Livingstone has always been part of my life, I came to South Africa some years ago. I visited Victoria Falls two year ago while I was there I too saw the same beauty David saw. His Statue overlooks the Falls as if keeping them safe. After reading this book on his life - it had such an impact on me. This man NEVER gave up, he loved the people of Africa and if we could just have a little 'piece' of his humility, we all have hope. Rob Mackenzie showed Livingstone humility all through the book and as I finished the last page. I felt that I had been of a real journey. My life changed because of this - I am 47 years old and I registered for 1st year University in Human Sciences. I even went and bought more copies to give to my friends - it is a humbling experience, it puts everything back into perspective.

I guess there are times in biography writing when the sheer magnitude of the subject overshadows the book. However, Rob Mackenzie captures this life with pure genius. As he takes us on the chronological journey of David Livingstone's life, we are deeply saddened by the utter despair of his relentless failings and hopeless circumstances, only to reach to the top and celebrate in the victory of a simple move forward. He truly captures the love and compassion that Dr. Livingstone had for a forgotten people and shames us with the recounting of his unfeigned commitment. The road to Africa's salvation is surely paved with the blood of this man and the content challenges us to dare to take that road after him. When the author describes the final scene--with David Livingstone crumpled over, dying silently while in prayer, I am in tears and like the natives, afraid to consider what to do next. I took this biography personally and I am unworthy to even walk in his shadow, you see, I am a missionary in Zambia. Every success I experience now, was properly paid for and recounted in this book.

If you are interested in the trailblazer who paved the path into Africa for Christianity this is the book for you. He single handedly stopped the slave trade in Africa through his complete reliance on God and God alone. Just an awesome person of faith and a true testimony to humanity. He shows you what the human spirit is willing to endure for his love of others and God.

Reading this book on David Livingstone's life has really impacted my life in an incredible way! I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to be spiritually challenged in getting the gospel of Jesus Christ out into the world. Having been born and brought up in Zimbabwe as the child of missionaries I feel that we owe so much to Mr Livingstone and many others for "sewing the seed"and giving their lives for the gospel in a beautiful but hard land.

As a film director, Christian, and volunteer on 5 trips to Africa, I found this book to be the masterwork on David Livingstone. He embodied all the principles of a true Christian, and embarked at the age of 27 on a journey to Africa when only one out of three missionaries lived beyond six months. He went to Africa to work selflessly for his fellow man. His wife died in Zambia and later he died in Zambia, where his heart was buried. His followers carried his body back to coast where it was shipped back to London and he is the only commoner buried in Westminster Abbey.

Ask anyone today in Zambia why they are a Christian country and they will tell you it's because of Dr. David Livingstone. A truly wonderful book that chronicles the life of a truly selfless man.

Gene Massey, Director of the upcoming film based on this book: "Livingstone-An African Legend"

I read this book with amazement. The hardships Livingstone endurred over his 30 years of exploring Africa are incredible. To say that he had a strong will is an understatement. I have no doubt that his deep Christain faith did carry him on, as the author claims. If you have an interest in the exploration of Africa, Livingstone's adventures will be of interest to you.

I rate this book a four because I cannot decide if I enjoyed the book because it is well written or because Livingstone's story is so interesting. I did feel that the author included too many block quotations. The author's deep Christian faith and strong admiration for Livingstone come through in the text, which is somewhat refreshing for a biography of a historical figure. And I have no doubt that the fact that the author has lived his life in Africa is an advantage.

I have been travelling through Africa since 2001 to 2009 working as a volunteer physician, treating AIDS for free with antiretrovirals in Mozambique, first, then in Malawi, Angola, and Nigeria.
This book allowed me to discover Livingstone and this enriched me a lot and give me strength in continuing my missions. Livingstone testimonies and transmit immense love for Africa, the wisdom of a strong Christian faith, the wisdom of a life which passed trough suffering , the importance of civil action ( against slavery ), the liking for applied medical science, the curiosity of an explorer, and even more. Livingstone taught us the importance of putting all in the hands of God , committing ourselves for poor people with the awareness of putting our small brick aside that of others, with humility, but using our capabilities in the best way .
Rob Mackenzie has been able to unveil these aspects of the extraordinary life of David Livingstone, a real man, not only a legend, with the rigour of an historian and the passion of a lay missionary, as he is.

I don't want this to sound anti-Christian, because I definitely am not. But the religious message gets in the way of what would otherwise be an interesting story.