Travels in the Interior of Africa — Volume 01

by Mungo Park

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Africa

425 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 16, 2015

About the author

Mungo Park (1771 – 1806) was a Scottish explorer of the African continent. He was the first Westerner known to have traveled to the central portion of the Niger River.

Reviews

[cj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mungo Park’s Books are a wonderful glimpse in to pre-Colonial Afrika. His prose is clear, well written and detailed. His books offer a great insight into this man’s humanity and his thirst for adventure. Unfortunately his death came to soon, (his poor wife and children!) Gone at 30. However, I am so glad we have this account of his two trips to find the source of the Niger.
I must admit, however, that I am biased, as he was my 5th Uncle! All those family folklores and reminders from my Paternal Grandmother as a child, (with no necessary detail, I might add) ...”you are a direct descendant of Mungo Park!” (What a strange name was all I could think of!) There are many Mungo’s on the ancestral branch btw!) As an adult and a ‘bug bitten’ ancestry buff, I have concluded with proof, that he is indeed an Uncle in my Paternal direct Park line, (of which, I knew nothing about).
There you go.... Literature comes to life! Enjoy it. It is a good quick read. Thank you Mungo Park.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enlightening study of pre-colonial Western African culture, and an impressive adventure besides. Fires my wanderlust. As it can be read in a sitting or two, there's no reason to pass it up. Vol. 2 is coming up next.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating account, but this volume covers only the outward part of Mungo Park's journey to the Niger. Fuller comments to follow once I have completed Volume 2.

[Jan Willem · Rating 4 out of 5]

wow mungo really knocked it out of the park with this one

[Garth Pettersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting and gentle read. Mungo Park's account of his exploration of Gambia at the end of the 18th century is free from the pretension and moral superiority of the Victorian adventurers who followed him. Especially compelling were his observations of the slave trade and his experiences of the Moors.

[Tom Gibson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting at times. Tedious at other times. The print quality was the worst I’ve ever seen. It looks like it was just photocopied. On several pages I could actually see the photocopier’s fingers