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 Truly Wonderful Yarn

Well done on every level and page m-turner of there ever was one! Dugard is a master storyteller.

How to Read

John Lee is still the best narrator, even with his slightly silly Scottish and Southern (American) accents in this one. I guess I'm an idiot because I had never heard this full story before, but it's wonderful. The book presents a great amount of info into the lives of not only the two men and their traveling companions, but just about everyone who was tangentially related to the story. Four stars only because it drags a little in the second half (the first half would get 6 or 7 stars if possible).

Captivated!

This book absolutely captivated me. I couldn't "put it down." Stick with it at least through chapter 6 - I couldn't tell where the author was going. Once I was in step with author, I was HOOKED. Great narration with nice voices for characters. I don't know when another book will measure up to this one for me! Now I want to know more about Africa and Henry Morton Stanley and David Livingston!

Great first half, super interesting and detailed!

I love reading expedition books, and this is pretty much the ultimate early expedition of Livingstone first and then Stanley across what is now Tanzania. Livingstone searching for the source of the Nile, Stanley searching for Livingstone. I just visited Ujiji and stood under a mango tree where the "Dr Livingstone I presume?" supposedly happened, and I wish I'd read more about the history of it first.

The first half of the book was fascinating, the second half slowed down a ton. Stanley wasn't a good guy, for the most part, and racism was so offhandedly accepted that it makes reading about Stanley's march pretty angering at times. I think the story could have used some tightening up on the back end. But I still really enjoyed it overall.

A note about the narrator: he's kind of dire. I think he was trying to do an American accent for Stanley and it was so comical it made me chuckle the first few times he brought it out, but after a while I realized the last half of the book was going to be peppered with what sounded like John Wayne with a speech impediment and it was excruciating to listen to. The narrator should no WAY have stuck it out - it was nails on a chalkboard towards the end. Just identify Stanley as an American (which he wasn't, exactly) and then use the narrator's normal accent and just give him a different voice. Same with nearly all the other accents. Wow that was painful. HIs normal narrating voice was better, though not my favorite.

Take a safari back in time

One of those books that makes you feel that are you are in another century and place. A good listen.

A Solid Book; Not a Great Book

Out of Africa took a fairly long time to finish compared to other books I listen to, but I'm not completely sure why that was? I do know that it was not the narration; as always, Lee's performance was brilliant. The history was very interesting so I can only put my apathy down to the writing. It just lacked a little something?

My draw to this book, as I surmise may be the case with others, was that enduring quote; "Doctor Livingston I presume?" This book does a pretty solid job of relaying the entire history behind Stanley and Livingston, but it is not one of those books that will enthrall the reader or evoke emotion. Perhaps I'm simply spoiled because I have listened to so many books that do just that? Hence, I cannot give the book five stars for the overall or the story. That said it is a book that educates and for that it will remain in my library and will likely be queued up again for another listen.

Fascinating

I enjoyed listening to this book which tells the fascinating tale of Stanley and Livingston with what appears to be the complete truth. I would recommend to those who enjoy good historical stories.

great great great!

so now when my racist friends say something stupid like "you know African slaves were captured and put on the boat to Murica by other Africans" i will now have a solid source for rebuttal.
Thank you Martin Dugard!

I love action and adventure and this book has it!

An amazing story and excellent storytelling. I recommend all Dugard's books with the exception of those co-written with Bill O'Reilly. I just haven't read them as I'm not an O'Reilly fan.

Awesome hero

The man is the idol of all the traveler,, awesome story achievements inspiration for a life time,, thanks for letting me enjoy this epic adventure mast hear ,,,