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 rich telling of one of the most famous tales people only think they know

Compelling reading, deeply engaging story, and left me thinking deeply about the book and its lessons for many days after. It alternates between beautiful, funny, poignant, and brutal but always holds your attention. This reinvigorated my thirst for historical biographies.

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.

Incredible journey

This book was a joy, every bit as good as Bryson's "A Short History of Nearly Everything." The perils Stanley and Livingstone faced, their courage, their passions, and their prejudices are all here in the story of one man's quest for the source of the Nile and another man's quest to secure his place in journalism by finding the "missing" explorer. A fascinating, often harrowing story with superb narration.

A Safari that Immerses you in Adventure

Want a book that will transport you to the wilds of Africa without leaving your chair? This journey into the Possible, with the detail so well scripted that you sweat when it is warm and you tremble with anticipation as Stanley approaches Livingstone.
it leaves you with a sadness, as all good books do, when the adventure is over.
You will miss a new friend.

BRIALLANT , WHO WOULD'VE KNOWN

great book great narratiom. What these people did is inspiring. makes you believe that almost anything is possible. listen to this book I have at least 3 times when I feel like I need a lift from modern day "life is so hard stories " it helps believe that some people may still exist that can do something for all forthe sake of themselves,you know just to help us all.9

Most amazing

What did you love best about Into Africa?

The incredible strength, endurance, and persistence and of the human species. How was it possible under conditions that are so far below basic survival needs, the human spirit can still excel. This audiobook should be mandatory listening in every history class in America. This audiobook renewed my faith in the wondrous abilities of human spirit. We ARE an incredible, tenacious and gifted species. All we need to do is persist.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dr Livingston

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

Dr Livingston

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Humanity is not really a couch potato.

Any additional comments?

I started listening to to this audio book because I wanted to know a little more about Dr Livingston and Stanley and a river called the Nile. I heard the basic story we were told in school, but I wanted to learn the details. Little did I know how many emotions I would feel while listening. Triumph, despair, pride, sadness, sheer joy, wonderment, hope, and a deep respect for those explorers who forged ahead through seemingly impossible odds, to discover and document unknown parts of our wondrous planet. Narrated perfectly by John Lee, who lends a very special quality. Not only is the book cleverly written, but John Lee leads you on an emotional roller coaster of every possible emotion as proficiently as a virtuoso plays a violin. He is the perfect narrator for this book. I give a special thank you to John Lee.

interesting and informative piece of history

loved it, it finally puts together what we read parsley about in school in history and brings it into a nice book.

A great piece of history

Great history great reader. A wonderful piece of history beautifully written and beautifully read by John Lee

great story

very well read. like that the orator uses accents for the different characters.
nice piece of history