Into Africa

The Epic Adventures of Stanley and Livingstone

By: Martin Dugard

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 11 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

"Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" So goes the signature introduction of New York Herald star journalist Henry Morton Stanley to renowned explorer Dr. David Livingstone, who had been missing for six years in the wilds of Africa. Into Africa ushers us into the meeting of these remarkable men. In 1866, when Livingstone journeyed into the heart of the African continent in search of the Nile's source, the land was rough, unknown to Europeans, and inhabited by man-eating tribes. The man sent to find him was an orphan and a drifter who had great ambition but little success to show for it. The book shows how, over the course of their nine-year relationship, Stanley ironically rose in power and prominence while Livingstone was relegated to isolation and danger in Africa.

©2003 Martin Dugard (P)2003 Books On Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"It is rare when a historical narrative keeps readers up late into the night....But author and adventurer Dugard...makes a suspenseful tale out of journalist Stanley's successful trek through the African interior to find and rescue a stranded Livingstone....This is a well-researched, always engrossing book." (Publishers Weekly)
"Dugard imbues the narrative with a keen sense of urgency that propels this compelling account along." (Booklist)
"An action-packed recounting of one of the most famous incidents in the history of exploration. Fine entertainment for adventure buffs, solidly researched and fluently told." (Kirkus)
"Crisp vivid language...transports the armchair adventurer from the jungle muck to the mountain peak." (Esquire)

A Good Listen.

What made the experience of listening to Into Africa the most enjoyable?

Well John Lee is one of the premier narrators, he could read the phone book and probably make it interesting. In fact, I am not sure I would read the book, but listening to it was gratifying and I enjoyed it.

What other book might you compare Into Africa to and why?

There have been some recently quality books about exploration recently. This book compares to the River of Doubt and The Lost City of Z favorably. it puts the exploration story within the context of colonization and race relations. This story however is not written as a first person account, rather as a researched narrative. I don't think it detracts too much from the story, but first persona accounts are always more compelling.

Which character – as performed by John Lee – was your favorite?

I have heard some reviewers criticize the Scottish accent on Livingston, I thought it was fine. It certainly didn't distract from teh story. I would say Livingston was my favorite, Lee has just the right inflection to make him someone that we admire yet not quite the heroic peson we might have heard of in school.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book helped fill me in on details that I only knew tangentially. I am glad I read it. this is not powerful story, mostly because I found some of the characters distasteful. but that is the history is in reality.

Any additional comments?

Audible has a good collection of exploration books. This book fits nicely into any reading list that concerns itself with world exploration and the subsequent problems it has caused to the present day.

Awesome adventure story!

I was completely enraptured. Martin Dugard's book was very organized and thorough for what was an involved story. The story itself was well laid out. I was transported into the caravans and felt like I was living the story along with the two adventurers.

The oral presentation was spectacular as well!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone!

A fantastic voyage

Told in a mesmerizing tone, "Into Africa" provides the historical context required to grasp what drove Stanley, Livingstone and others to venture into the heart of Africa. The story highlights the character flaws and strengths of not only the explorers but those who they encountered during their wanderings. A thoroughly enjoyable experience for those seeking to understand why they sought glory as well as fascinating cultures they encountered along the way.

Sublime Historical Adventure

If you enjoy answering your curiosity about one of history's most amazing accomplishments, you'll savor this book. To learn about the lives, personalities and especially the hardships that Livingston and Stanley endured in their pursuit of knowledge brings a new meaning to the definition of "adventurer". I will never forget it, and I highly recommend it.

Great dose of history

The details of the exploration and color that the author Included made for a great read. It's a historical book with enough drama to make it a light fun read! I would recommend this to anybody intrested in stories about exploring and the history of Africa.

Fascinating account, incredible story

An in depth and unsentimental account of a great yet human man, the making of his friend and protégée, and others whose lives were touched by these events. I highly, highly recommend.

Excellent!

Loved this audible book! Great history of Stanley & Livingston! Definitely recommend! If you like history give it a try.

Wonderful!

‘Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” Have heard this forever but never knew the absolutely gripping, interesting backstory. Great but of history so well written it reads like great fiction. Narrator is perfect. Great read. Loved it!

The Story Behind the Famous Encounter

I enjoyed listening to this amazing account of the difficult journeys of Livingston and Stanley. Such different men who truly seemed to like each other when they finally met. Be warned there are a few gruesome descriptions of tortures performed by some tribes. However, the overall story is exciting and interesting. Livingston is presented as a sincere Christian without over promoting his faith. The only reason for 4 stars is that the plot takes a bit longer to develop in a few places. However, it is worth the time discover this wonderful story.

Fascinating Adventure Travel Story

What did you like best about this story?

I don't read a lot of non-fiction, but do like the occasional history or travel memoir. This is an extraordinary combination of both. Dugard does a great job of piecing together the various stories of several explorers and how they all led to that one famous moment when Stanley meets Livingstone.

Instead of a story just tracing a long walk around Africa, he sets in all in context of what was happening on the world stage and helps the reader understand how explorers and scientists were part of the glitterati of the era, and how that drove the effort to find Livingstone and find him first.

Since the eventual Stanley-Livingstone meeting is famous, we all know what happens. Dugard pulls off quite a trick by keeping you on the edge of your seat wanting more until that fateful moment.

Dugard is frank about the lives and realities of these men, both in their native countries and in Africa. He doesn't try to gloss over the truth, as has been done in earlier eras for more Victorian sensibilities, rather he gives a more complete picture including all their foibles.

One reviewer felt that Dugard did not do enough to criticize the racism, slavery and imbalance that were so common in Africa at the time, but there is, in fact, quite a lot about the different ways that Livingstone and other explorers treated local residents, the Arab slave traders, and how desperate Livingstone had to be before he would accept assistance from the slavers.

What about John Lee???s performance did you like?

John Lee's performance was solid and I'll look for other work of his. Kept the drama going, and did okay with various accents.