Explorers of the Nile, Tim Jeal
Explorers of the Nile, Tim Jeal
List: $21.99 | Sale: $15.39
Club: $10.99

Explorers of the Nile
The Triumph and Tragedy of a Great Victorian Adventure

Author: Tim Jeal

Narrator: Clive Chafer

Unabridged: 14 hr 58 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 12/26/2011


Synopsis

Nothing obsessed explorers of the mid-nineteenth century more than
the quest to discover the source of the White Nile. It was the planet's most elusive secret, the prize coveted above all others. Between 1856 and 1876, six larger-than-life men and one extraordinary woman accepted
the challenge. Showing extreme courage and resilience, Richard Burton, John Hanning Speke, James Augustus Grant, Samuel Baker, Florence von Sass, David Livingstone, and Henry Morton Stanley risked their lives and
reputations in the fierce competition. Award-winning author Tim Jeal deploys fascinating new research to provide a vivid tableau of the unmapped "Dark Continent," its jungle deprivations, and the courage—as well as malicious tactics—of the explorers.

On multiple forays launched into east and central Africa, the travelers passed through almost impenetrable terrain and suffered the ravages of flesh-eating ulcers, paralysis, malaria, deep spear wounds, and even death. They discovered Lakes Tanganyika and Victoria and became the first white people to encounter the kingdoms of Buganda and Bunyoro. Jeal weaves the story with authentic new detail and examines the tragic unintended legacy of the Nile search that still casts a long shadow over the people of Uganda and Sudan.

About Tim Jeal

Tim Jeal is the author of the acclaimed biographies Livingstone, Baden-Powell, and Stanley, each selected as a Notable Book of the Year by the New York Times and the Washington Post. The winner of the 2007 National Book Critics Circle Award for Biography, Tim lives in London.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Charlie Parker on January 12, 2024

En busca de las fuentes del Nilo El origen del Nilo fue un misterio durante milenios, nadie sabía de dónde venía ni el porqué de las crecidas que tenían lugar en los meses de verano. Hasta Alejandro Magno preguntó por ello. Formado por dos ramales, el Nilo blanco y el Nilo azul. Mientras el blanco tie......more

Goodreads review by Brook on May 23, 2012

An excellent book, it would have received five stars if it weren't for the author's fanatical hatred of Richard Burton. According to Jeal, Burton did nothing that wasn't utterly despicable. Jeal will bring out the same quotes multiple times to prove his point. When talking about Burton, his writing......more

Goodreads review by Eliz on September 24, 2014

I had one complaint about this book, there is no real good map of the region so you're able to orient yourself. It was very interesting in describing their present through today.......more

Goodreads review by Christopher on October 12, 2012

Retread of The White Nile focusing on the explorers' interpersonal rivalries. Jeal's raison d'être is showing John Speke as the true hero of Nile exploration, while conversely denigrating Richard Burton as a racist, perverted egomaniac. He handles other figures (Stanley, Livingston, Baker, etc.) unr......more

Goodreads review by Shannon on March 05, 2024

I liked a decent amount of this book, but there were large parts that I didn't think really fit with the rest. It's hard to explain, but all the stuff at the end didn't seem to be about the Nile anymore. There wasn't enough actual exploring to keep me happy. There was some, but then there was a lot......more