On a very basic level this biography is the story of three men and their exploration to find the location and headwaters of the Nile River. Richard Burton, an intellectual, who can speak over twenty-five languages and 11 dialects and who can jump back from one serious illness after the other, including a spear that goes through both sides of his jaw, and yet he continues on.
The second man, John Hanning Speke, an army officer whose main passion, besides hunting, is to find the source of the Nile and claim the prize for England and to make his mark in the world. Like Burton, he can suffer one deadly illness after another and somehow find the strength to continue on.
The third man, Sidi Mubarak Bombay, an ex-slave whose freedom is granted when his owner dies is a testimony to goodness and an extraordinary guide.
On a much higher level this is the story of the brutal colonization of the continent of Africa by the Europeans. It is in many ways the non-fiction equivalent of Joseph Conrad’s classic, “Heart of Darkness.” In fact, Mr. Conrad is mentioned in the book.
Myth and an up side down interpretation of Darwin’s theory are used as reasons why the native Africans, mostly blacks, are captured and sold into slavery.
Ms. Candice Millard’s, “River of the Gods,” is a riveting, fast paced biography that takes place mostly between the 1850’s to the middle and late 1860’s. Sadly, the brutal colonization of Africa continued into the 1950’s and its consequences can still be seen to this very day in the many wars still taking place on the continent.
I would like to thank Dmitri for recommending this book. Great choice.
A Curious View 