Livingstone

When David Livingstone published his first book, the one that made him famous Missionary Travels in Africa (1857) he was in his mid-40s. The book is full of incident and is still a delightful read. People were enthralled by what seemed like a rich country. The book laid the groundwork for what would later become the 'myth of Livingstone'.

When Tim Jeal published Livingstone in 1973 he was still in his 20s and, in his own words, exploded the myth. All prior biographies had been religious hagiographies and the public perceived Livingstone as a saintly gentle missionary. Jeal showed that Livingstone was in reality a failed missionary, having converted a single person (who later lapsed). Livingstone lied about the nature of Africa to further show more his career - causing the death of future missionaries who were ill-prepared for Africa. And his character flaws tended towards the anti-social - his son hated him so much he changed his last name, his neglected wife turned alcoholism among other horrors, and he treated colleagues with contempt. He lacked empathy.

At the same time Jeal shows Livingstone to be a brilliant mind who possessed super-human physical strength and conviction. He accurately predicted the future of colonial Africa, explored for the first time vast areas, became a hero of Africans to this day. His primary and great idea was to end slavery in Africa, he was a Lincoln figure in aspiration. Great men are often contradicted and Jeal concludes he was a great man. This is a complex and rich story set in an exotic place and time. It is also fun as an adventure story to step back in time and follow Livingstone's journeys, learning African geography, while also gaining an insiders view through Jeal's impeccable research of private diaries and letters. There are many books that retell the myth, this is the first and only serious biography that gives the complete picture. show less

Biography & Autobiography/Biography / Autobiography/Biography/Autobiography/Discovery And Exploration (General)/Expeditions & Discoveries/Historical - General/Africa/Biography & Autobiography / Historical/Biography: general/Christian mission & evangelism/Geographical discovery & exploration/c 1800 to c 1900

Central Africa South Africa Botswana