What do you think?
Rate this book
The Personal Life of David Livingstone Chiefly from his Unpublished Journals and Correspondence in the Possession of His Family
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.
520 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1880
32 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 2, 2020
Difficult read, but interesting.
David Livingstone: a complicated man with a deep love for Africa, a passion for fighting slavery (mostly by rousing disgust for the slave trade around the world), a famous explorer, an imbedded sense of paternalistic colonialism and racial superiority yet still some genuine value for local culture and people (probably more so than many of his colonialist counterparts).
His compassion/passion is shown is such quotes as this: “If every drop of blood shed by the lash must be atoned for by an equal number of white men’s vital fluid, - righteous, O Lord, are Thy judgements!” (371). All the while, he also writes things such as, “I have never seen a beautiful woman in Africa. I’d be surprised if a European would ever want to marry one”(paraphrase). He cared deeply for Africa, yet he found much of it unpleasant - and that “unpleasantness” was one of the things that drew him to Africa - to help make it more “pleasant” through educating locals and fighting the slave trade. By the end of his life he seemed to see a certain beauty beyond the “ugliness” that kept him there.
David Livingstone: a complicated man with a deep love for Africa, a passion for fighting slavery (mostly by rousing disgust for the slave trade around the world), a famous explorer, an imbedded sense of paternalistic colonialism and racial superiority yet still some genuine value for local culture and people (probably more so than many of his colonialist counterparts).
His compassion/passion is shown is such quotes as this: “If every drop of blood shed by the lash must be atoned for by an equal number of white men’s vital fluid, - righteous, O Lord, are Thy judgements!” (371). All the while, he also writes things such as, “I have never seen a beautiful woman in Africa. I’d be surprised if a European would ever want to marry one”(paraphrase). He cared deeply for Africa, yet he found much of it unpleasant - and that “unpleasantness” was one of the things that drew him to Africa - to help make it more “pleasant” through educating locals and fighting the slave trade. By the end of his life he seemed to see a certain beauty beyond the “ugliness” that kept him there.
November 16, 2017
The life of David Livingstone. Its immense what he underwent for Africa, from near death experiences, to loss of loved ones, hunger, continual sicknesses, betrayal etc. Yet he had such a love and desire for Africa. He had 3 objectives 1) share the gospel at all costs 2)abolish slavery and cause awareness of it and 3)exploration and mapping. An insightful read, my only frustration was unnecessary information and dry writing.
October 17, 2023
Devotion to Jesus Christ, compassion for the heathen, and character of historic proportion marked the labors of Livingstone in his travels. Much good from his character, little from his missionary work.
Less inspiring than other years' biographies.
Hated the slave trade. Supported the American north.
Total abstainer.
Separated from his family for long times.
Too much connection with politics and the great ones of this earth.
Less inspiring than other years' biographies.
Hated the slave trade. Supported the American north.
Total abstainer.
Separated from his family for long times.
Too much connection with politics and the great ones of this earth.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews