Customer Reviews

Travels in the Interior of Africa - Volume 01

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I don't write reviews often but I had to respond to the comments of "Raspberry", who reviewed this book. Contrary to what the reviewer said, there are no dull lists. what you will find are descriptions of people, ways of living, and cultures that, up until that time, had never been encountered before by Europeans. Born in 1771, Mungo Park was a doctor, shipboard surgeon and by the age of 24, an African explorer. He spent two and a half years in Africa on his first trip, ending in 1797. in 1805 he embarked on a second trip to try to find the source of the Niger river, dying during the journey. this book concerns his first expedition.

It is a fascinating document which describes his journey, encounters with various local people, their customs, etc.

This is not a fast paced 'thriller' or modern travel book. It was written for a late eighteenth century audience who were less familiar with Africa than we are with Mars. He often gives descriptions of plants and animals which, while we may be familiar with them today, were strange to his audience.

Mungo Park was a very nice person who foolishly decided to search for Timbuctu at the end of the 18th century. His hardships were so great that many of the slaves he came across felt sorry for him. One (free) woman and her daughters took pity on him and sang a song about how he had no wife and no mother to look after him. This (meaning the entire 2 volume work) is a very affecting story. It is hard to place oneself in the world of two centuries ago, and Mungo Park's description of his hardships and travels does just that. Well worth reading.

There is a story buried in here somewhere, but you may never find it. The author is a list maker. If he walks 300 feet, he lists every flower, creature, stone, person, and piece of garbage he sees from point A to point B. If he is getting on the train he lists every passenger, what each is carrying, the appearance of each one, and any personal habits he can detect. At this rate I felt as if I'd NEVER get across Africa. AND I NEVER DID! I got so weary of the list-making, so weighed-down by the infinite detail of every whisker on every face that I could not go on. If you're an obsessive list maker, you'll probably enjoy the book. Me? I'm a big concept gal. He can keep his lists.