David Livingstone: The Pathfinder

Heroes of the Faith

by Basil Joseph Mathews

He cut his way through dense jungles, struggled across desert wastelands, and navigated dangerous river rapids. He braved the threat of wild beasts, hostile natives, and treacherous slave traders. He suffered hunger, thirst, fatigue, and sickness and endured separation from his beloved family. But no hardships could keep the great pathfinder, Dr. David Livingstone, from his mission – to open the African continent to the gospel. Traveling mostly on foot, mapping the land as he went, Livingstone became the first European to see many of Africa’s natural wonders. The world followed news of his explorations with breathless anticipation, applauding each discovery, but those who really knew him admired Livingstone most for his labor of love among the African people. This stirring biography follows the trail of the courageous missionary-explorer who carried the light of the world into the “Dark Continent.”

Genres: Biography, Christian, Nonfiction, History, Religion, Africa

170 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1912

Reviews

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good introduction to the life of David Livingstone. It is not a thorough account which is why only four stars but it is still a well written account.

[Gabriella Araujo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story. It is well told and really goes through all of David Livingstone's life.
I know some people question his spread of the gospel sometimes and say he was just another colonizer, but reading this book and also researching alongside it the different countries he travelled through and the different places that still revere him, it paints better picture.

I cried through the last 2.5 chapters and recommend this book for 5th grade onward. It helps to see mission work. It helps to understand how God works through our lives. It helps to understand that things don't always go our way, but our life is to glorify God. It also helps to understand history and how slavery affected the African continent in a way we don't normally study in America or Britain. The mention of the different groups enslaving the continent and also the way the different tribes interacted is especially helpful.

I enjoyed it immensely with my middle schoolers and just for myself as well.

[Carolyn Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great biography for young readers of perhaps the most famous Christian missionary ever. Full of adventure!

[Don Gubler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short of the question of Stanley on meeting Dr. Livingstone I knew virtually nothing about him. I am glad that I now know what a remarkable man we was and the influence he had in the world. Amazing and inspiring.

[Linda Kriese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Older book, but would be good for a young reader

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such conviction and perseverance!