The Life and African Exploration of Dr. David Livingstone: Comprising All His Extensive Travels and Discoveries As Detailed in His Diary, Reports, and Letters, Including His Famous Last Journals

Rating:
Summary: This is a biography
Review: This is an interesting book, with many quotations from the great explorer, including 100 or so pages of his last journal entries (with minimal and helpful editorial comments).

It has some fascinating comments from the anonymous author, including details regarding the Sahara's sub-marine past (existence, in the nineteenth century Sahara, of fossils of contemporary forms of marine life, and great areas of salt flats), and also later intimations of lost civilisations beneath the great desert's sands.

However, not all of the book's 640 pages, by any means, are direct quotes from the missionary/explorer, which I felt I was led to expect.

The book is, nevertheless, a fascinating volume originally published in 1874, just one year after Livingstone's death. It contains generous extracts from the associated writings of American journalist Stanley, and of contemporary explorers/hunters. It is, therefore, well worth the read and a good first volume for those interested in Livingstone and/or the Africa of his days. I was especially intrigued by the accounts of the various native tribes and native villages Livingstone met with. I also enjoyed reading of the geology, geography, and zoology of the continent.