Exploration of Africa Books
A selection of books on the exploration of Africa and explorers of Africa.
Top African Explorers/Exploration Books
A handful of explorer and exploration books, including the biographies of two of the most famous explorers, Burton and Stanley, and the journal of Mary Kingsley, the greatest of all woman explorers (modern women are just travel writers in comparison).
A handful of explorer and exploration books, including the biographies of two of the most famous explorers, Burton and Stanley, and the journal of Mary Kingsley, the greatest of all woman explorers (modern women are just travel writers in comparison).
Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton by Edward Rice
Richard Burton was an outstanding Victorian figure, who's achievements are described in delightful and absorbing detail in this definitive biography by Edward Rice.
Richard Burton was an outstanding Victorian figure, who's achievements are described in delightful and absorbing detail in this definitive biography by Edward Rice.
Dark Safari by John Bierman
For such a great explorer there is a shortage of good material in-print. This biography by John Bierman makes an ideal companion to Stanley's own books and autobiography.
For such a great explorer there is a shortage of good material in-print. This biography by John Bierman makes an ideal companion to Stanley's own books and autobiography.
Into Africa by Martin Dugard
Even if you're familiar with the story of how the journalist Henry Morton Stanley was sent to find the 'lost' British explorer David Livingstone in the unmapped interior of Africa, you'll enjoy this retelling which reads like an adventure story, tracing the journeys of the two men in alternate chapters until they meet up.
Even if you're familiar with the story of how the journalist Henry Morton Stanley was sent to find the 'lost' British explorer David Livingstone in the unmapped interior of Africa, you'll enjoy this retelling which reads like an adventure story, tracing the journeys of the two men in alternate chapters until they meet up.
Lost Lion of Empire by Edward Paice
Need to do something to impress the wealthy stepfather of your would-be bride? Being elected the younger-ever member of the Alpine Club and survived the Matabele War not enough? How about spending three years on a quest to be the first man to traverse the African continent from south to north? (Note that Grogan's traverse of the continent covers only some 60 pages.)
Need to do something to impress the wealthy stepfather of your would-be bride? Being elected the younger-ever member of the Alpine Club and survived the Matabele War not enough? How about spending three years on a quest to be the first man to traverse the African continent from south to north? (Note that Grogan's traverse of the continent covers only some 60 pages.)
Portuguese Voyages edited by C D Ley
A great collection of accounts, edited by C D Ley, which are otherwise hard to obtain. The shipwreck accounts, especially, are detailed and graphic, and give a fascinating view of early European exploration around Africa.
A great collection of accounts, edited by C D Ley, which are otherwise hard to obtain. The shipwreck accounts, especially, are detailed and graphic, and give a fascinating view of early European exploration around Africa.
The Art of Travel by Francis Galton
This essential Victorian travelers handbook, written by Francis Galton, is the ideal companion to Victorian exploration books.
This essential Victorian travelers handbook, written by Francis Galton, is the ideal companion to Victorian exploration books.
Travels in West Africa by Mary Kingsley
Brief review of Travels in West Africa by Mary Kingsley -- a captivating account of "One Woman's Epic and Eccentric Journey in the 1890s.
Brief review of Travels in West Africa by Mary Kingsley -- a captivating account of "One Woman's Epic and Eccentric Journey in the 1890s.