Customer Reviews

Missionary Travels in South Africa

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

 

 

Amazon doesn't tell you that this book is Volume 1 of 2. Additionally, when you receive the book and find out it is 1 of 2, you can't buy Volume 2. Apparently what is needed is the following ISBN, which is supposed to contain both volumes: 1-58976-287-8. Very poor identification on the Amazon website.

In his book on Nile exploration, Moorehead speaks of Livingstone as possessing "baraka"--the quality of making everything seem better just by his presence. Livingstone's humanity and generosity of spirit illuminate this book. The details of his journey through Southern Africa are interesting and vivid, though not crammed with incident. Modern readers will be interested in Livingstone's observations on race relations in the different colonial settlements of the region. But the highlight of the book for me was the personality of Livingstone himself, his sympathy and insight, his matter-of-fact documentation of danger and hardship, his global perspective. A particularly rewarding read if Speke and Burton have left you with a bad taste in your mouth.

David Livingston was an incredible man. He explored areas of Africa that had been previoulsy ignored by most of Europe. His notes on the regions he explored and the people he encountered are meticulous and fascinating. Prior to his visit to the region of Nyasaland, every year between 5,000-20,000 slaves were being sold to slave traders in the region. Livingston attacked the slave trade head on and was largely responsible for its downfall in that area. While some of his personal notes would be considered ignorant or offensive by modern standards, he was progressive and open minded for his time. He is a great historical figure who is too often ignored.