africa, central

Looks at sixteen countries in North and central Africa, covering the wildlife, landscapes, history, and culture.

Chronicles the true story of Henry Morton Stanley's attempt to rescue Emin Pasha, the governor of Equatoria in the southern Sudan between 1886 and 1889 and their three-year trek across unexplored territory in the heart of Africa.

Traces the history of the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa, providing information on the region's first human settlement, the formation of kingdoms around the sources of the Nine, and the impact colonizers had on the area.

David Livingstone set out to find the source of the Nile River in the nineteenth century. The explorer's scientific ambitions are noteworthy but far more important were the contributions he made to the abolition of the slave trade in Africa.

A survey of the historical regions and kingdoms of Central Africa including biographies of Afonso I, King of the Kongo (1456-1493); Shamba Bolongongo, King of the Bakuba (17th century); and Njoya, King of the Bamun (1867-1933).

Describes the history of Central Africa from its earliest civilizations, its religions, land, climate, and languages, the development of trade, arrival of European colonists, and their struggle for independence.

Examines the history, language, lifestyle, social structure, culture, and religion of the major ethnic groups of Central Africa, and includes a chronology, a pictorial history of the region, a glossary, and a language tree.

We think of Stanley as a cruel imperialist who connived with King Leopold II of Belgium in horrific crimes against the people of the Congo--and the journalist who conducted the most legendary celebrity interview in history, opening with, "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" But these perceptions are not quite true, as biographer Jeal shows. With access to previously closed Stanley family archives, Jeal reveals the extent to which Stanley's career and life have been misunderstood and undervalued. Few have started life as disadvantaged as Stanley. Rejected by both parents and consigned to a Welsh workhouse, he emigrated to America as a penniless eighteen-year-old. Jeal re-creates Stanley's rise to success, his friendships and romantic relationships, and his life-changing decision to assume an American identity. Stanley's epic but unfairly forgotten African journeys are described, establishing the explorer as the greatest to set foot on the continent.--From publisher description.