The Daring Heart of David Livingstone: Exile, African Slavery, and the Publicity Stunt That Saved Millions Hardcover – September 23, 2014

In the century since his death, David Livingstone's life has been recast, rewoven, and retold as the rugged adventure of a patriotic scientist on the dangerous road to discovery. He has been alternately painted as a real-life Indiana Jones and a one-man Lewis and Clark. Livingstone has been secularized, lionized . . . and misunderstood.

Most consistently overlooked (or ignored) in accounts of Livingstone's life is the contribution he made to the abolition of the slave trade in Africa--and the Christian faith that drove his efforts. The Daring Heart of David Livingstone removes the veil that history has cast over the faith of a valiant Christian believer.

The quest for the source of the Nile will forever be associated with David Livingstone, and his adventures in the name of scientific ambition certainly make for a compelling story. Equally compelling, however, and far more important, is the story of African liberty, freedom, and redemption that this flawed foreigner left in the wake of his death.

Here, finally, is David Livingstone's complete story: the story of a man of great faith, fallen in his humanity but driven by his belief in the sanctity of God's creation. Though few could ever match his wonder at the natural world, it was his horror at human enslavement that propelled him in his most courageous, longsuffering work.

"Jay Milbrandt's The Daring Heart of David Livingstone is a spectacular, ground-breaking, well-researched, splendidly told, and thoroughly gripping story. It was high time for someone to bring the wildly adventurous life of this courageous Christian hero to this generation. That Milbrandt also proclaims Livingstone as a successor to Wilberforce in vanquishing the horrors of the global slave-trade makes it all the sweeter."
 
Eric Metaxas, New York Times bestselling author of Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, and Miracles: What They Are, Why They Happen, and How They Can Change Your Life.
 

"Passionate, headstrong and obsessive, but always visionary and full of faith, Livingstone strides out of these pages like the Ferdinand Magellan of the African interior.  Milbrandt's portrait is like an old masterpiece cleaned of its dust and grime -- a robust challenge to our soft generation and a burning inspiration to all who know the link between the Gospel, mission, justice and freedom."

Os Guinness, author "The Call"


"Livingstone's life reminds us how God can use ordinary people to accomplish the extraordinary. Milbrandt illuminates Livingstone's extraordinary story with great energy and clarity."
 
Rich Stearns, president World Vision US and author of The Hole in Our Gospel and Unfinished 
 

"'I still prefer poverty and mission-service to riches and ease. It's my choice'.  This book, which reads like a thriller, describes the roller-coaster experiences of the man who wrote these words and put them into action in the heart of Africa, with his passionate commitment to try to bring an end to Slavery. In gripping detail, the story unfolds to enable the reader to share a little of the pain and the passion, the hopes and the hardships of David Livingstone's phenomenal travels -  and to obtain a glimpse into the faith which enabled him to endure and thereby to make a unique contribution to the abolition of the slave trade in East Africa."
 
The Baroness Cox, House of Lords and CEO Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust 


"Milbrandt gives us a powerful view into the brutality of Africa's slave history--and into the troubled explorer who exposed its tragedies to the world. Livingstone's passion and drive make his story a moving read and cautionary tale for anyone who cares about today's fight to end slavery."
 
Gary A. Haugen, President & CEO, International Justice Mission


"A fast and fascinating read: once you start, you won't want to put it down. Milbrandt's gripping account of Dr. Livingstone's 19th-century explorations of the mysterious dark continent makes you feel as if you are there with the intrepid missionary-scientist, steaming up the Zambezi River or hiking across the vast and deadly Kalahari Desert.  Milbrandt is brilliant at painting a colorful picture of the legendary explorer everyone thinks they know but don't - a man who draws on the toughness he acquired as a child laborer during the Industrial Age to help rid the tribes of Eastern Africa of slavery, advance the science of his day, and above all serve the Biblical God whom he loved more than anything and anyone."   
                                                                                                                                                                   
Michael Guillen, PhD, former ABC News Science Editor, best-selling author, movie producer


"Livingstone's commitment to the abolition of slavery changed the course of Africa.  Through his life, we learn much about ourselves and God."
 
Ambassador Tony P. Hall, Executive Director, Alliance to End Hunger, former Congressman


"With equal parts adventure narrative, confession, and moral inquiry, The Daring Heart of David Livingstone presents the famed adventurer as we have never seen him before. Full of soul, this smart, thorough, engaging odyssey reveals the missionary purpose behind Livingstone's quest to end the African slave trade. Jay Milbrandt expertly navigates both the exhilarating and the tragic aspects of this remarkable story. His book makes an important contribution to abolition history."
 

Judge Kenneth W. Starr, President, Baylor University, author of First Among Equals


"At a time when missionaries past and present are too often caricatured and disdained, it is refreshing to read this gripping study of David Livingstone. Apart from his official mission work, he was explorer, scientist, anthropologist, diplomat, and above all, a driving force in ending the East African slave trade. Also, The Daring Heart of David Livingstone is not only invaluable but enthralling."

Paul Marshall, Senior Fellow at Hudson Institute's Center for Religious Freedom, author of Persecuted.


"Faith and perseverance do overcome evil in our world. Jay Milbrandt's telling of Livingstone's trying journey reminds us of God's goodness and grace."

Immaculee Ilibagiza, Rwandan genocide survivor and author of the New York Times bestseller Left to Tell


"Those of us who have dedicated our own lives to the pursuit of global justice, stand on the shoulders of giants such as Livingstone, who "never stopped until he had come to the end and achieved his purpose."  This incredible book by Jay Milbrandt explains the deepest passions of David Livingstone, and a life which will resonate and inspire activists, abolitionists and explorers for years to come."

Jason Russell, co-founder, Invisible Children


Fascinating ... and very well written!  It's the story of a determined and tenacious human being with frailties common to us all.  I am most grateful for his relentless efforts and contributions towards the elimination of slavery... an inspiration for us to selflessly invest into the lives of our fellow beings!

Kadita "A.T." Tshibaka, board member and former President and CEO, Opportunity International


"It's a rare moment when an author can tell an old story in way so new that you've forgotten you've ever heard it before. Jay has done just that. He's a maestro."

Johnnie Moore, Senior Vice President, Liberty University, Author of What Am I Supposed to Do With My Life?


"I learned about David Livingstone and Stanley as explorers of Africa and my own country, DR Congo, when I was very young.  David Livingstone was a great man, a great explorer, a great freedom fighter, and a spiritual man.  Today his works are still speaking after his death many decades ago.  Livingstone remains an example of exceptional courage and leadership for the modern world."

Azarias Ruberwa, Former Vice-President of DR Congo, board member, Mercy Ships


Once again, Jay Milbrandt has captured a man, a moment and a mission in history that had to be told, shared. The story of David Livingstone needed to be told, and Jay does not disappoint. He is bold and brilliant"

Suzan Johnson Cook, 3rd US Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom