David Livingstone: The Truth behind the Legend

by Rob Mackenzie

Livingstone is perhaps the best-known missionary of them all. His attempts to find the source of the Nile and his famous meeting with Henry Morton Stanley have become the stuff of legend. The truth behind the legend, however, is even more compelling. Drawing extensively from Livingstone's personal notes and letters, Rob Mackenzie unfolds the intensely human story of a man with a vision - to set souls free from slavery, both physically and spiritually and to open up Africa to Christianity and lawful commerce Livingstone has come to be regarded as a figure purely based on a few events, lost in legend, yet his tomb inscription reads 'Brought by faithful hands over land and sea here rests David Livingstone - missionary, traveller, philanthropist... for 30 years his life was spent in an unwearied effort to evangelise the native races, to explore the undiscovered secrets, to abolish the desolating slave trade of Central Africa where with his last words he wrote "all I can add in my solitude, is, may heaven's rich blessing come down on every one, American, English or Turk, who will help to heal this open sore of the world." An amazing story awaits you on the first page.

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

389 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1996

Reviews

[Elentarri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 stars

This is a serviceable biography of missionary David Livingstone - his faith and dedication to converting the tribes of Africa to Christianity, his abhorrence and efforts to stop the slave-trade, and his travels to map the continent and find the sources of the Nile river. Livingstone led an inspired life, but Mackenzie is not an inspiring writer. The text is serviceable, stating what happened, when and why, with maps, and also excerpts from Livingstone's letters and journals. But after a while, all that hardship became rather monotonous and depressing to read. None the less, this book makes for a decent introduction to the subject.

[Dawn Kuruvilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving account of a man whose life emulated Christ in His zeal for God and love for souls

Read this well written book in a week, being captivated by the story of this celebrity explorer and Biblically saturated man who brought much light to the dark African continent and truth to isolated people who were being ravaged by suffering, slavery and superstitions.
Grateful to the author and publisher.
Praying many young and old will read this biography to obey Christ in all that He calls us to be.

[John Rimmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A truly inspiring life, most in terms of perseverance and faithfulness amidst intense hardship, loss, and frustration. His life was one of joy amidst tears, sowing seeds that wouldn't see their full fruit until long after he departed the world.

[Barbara · Rating 1 out of 5]

too religious

[Светлана · Rating 5 out of 5]

A detailed look at one of the most examined figures of the entire 19th century. Many of the brief biographies of Livingstone skim over his letters and journals, but Mackenzie does a great job of pulling the most interesting from the plethora of primary sources. If you've only read brief summaries of Livingstone's life or abridged biographies, I recommend moving to this longer work.

This book was written by a pastor, and its tone is primarily positive towards Livingstone's life and influence. Iconoclast critics ("historians") who feel the need to blast the positive influence and personal lives of every Christian hero by nitpicking on their warts and flaws: you can read a different biography if you need something to groan over.

[Scarlette Pike · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS is the DL bio to read. This is what David himself would have wanted the world to know. It’s honest. It doesn’t downplay his faults, but it also doesn’t downplay his strengths. It is honest about his familial relationships, which I appreciated. Most DL bios make him out to be a misogynistic psycho but Rob Mackenzie knows better! As in, he actually read the man’s journals and lived where he lived! A comprehensive complete biography focusing on the man as a missionary and explorer. 10 million stars. All other biographers can be quiet now.

[Larry]

Big Disappointment. More about the battle the good doctor had with his faith than the good doktor's wonderings around the dark continent.

Still interesting here and there. I guess those who seek to justify that the good doctor was lost and looking for a place to preach rather than an explorer with a genius for boring the hell out Africa's indigenous population.

[Ross Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having roots in Zimbabwe we have a soft spot for Zimbabwe authors, so I lapped up this inspiring insight and perspective into the famous missionary who named the Victoria Falls. There’s much more to the man behind the legend, he was a man with a vision – to set souls free from slavery – try and find a limited edition copy – there are 2500 of them

[Jewel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving Book

This book was so moving, what an amazing account of a great missionary for Christ. I was moved to tears several times and saddened that I had finished it! I thoroughly recommend .