Into Africa : : the Epic Adventures of Stanley & Livingstone

Locations
Call Number: 967.02 Du
On Shelf At: Downtown Library

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	967.02 Du	4-week checkout	On Shelf

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Into Africa submitted by leighsprauer on July 3, 2023, 12:25pm I love a well-written non-fiction book, especially one about a topic that I previously knew next-to-nothing about. That was the case with Into Africa. I think my aunt recommended this book to me after a trip to Tanzania (and in fact it’s one of several books I’ve read about East Africa before and after my trip). The only thing I knew about Stanley and Livingstone (or at least the only thing I remembered – maybe at one point in my life I had known more) was “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” Dugard fills in all the gaps.
Although the book is mainly about Stanley’s travels to find and rescue Livingstone, he also places the events in the greater historical context. The exploration of Africa, and more briefly, the ‘Scramble for Africa’ that followed, are given in overview, which is very helpful for understanding the actions and lives of the individuals. Dugard also presents it almost as a mystery. Details are hinted at, to be explained later, rather than presented dryly, which is partly what made the book more enjoyable and readable than a standard history.
Of course, the other thing that made the book fascinating, in addition to the style of storytelling, was the story itself. The trials and tribulations of the African explorers are nothing short of horrific: the disease, the discomfort, and the danger from both men and animals. It’s just plain miserable. And this is not even counting the fact that the real brunt of the work and greater risk was undertaken by the native African guides and porters. Dugard does acknowledge their contribution and their losses, but it’s still mindboggling that white explorers put them through this.
It’s an incredible story, and told very well by Dugard.