Book Description

Book Description
Under the sponsorship of Sir Roderick Murchison, president of the Royal Geographical Society, Speke traveled to Lake Victoria Nyanza, in Africa, which he was convinced was the source of the Nile River.This addition to White Star's new Great Adventures series describes, in the first person, the physical hardship and daily adventures experienced by John Hanning Speke in his search for the source of the Nile River in the 1850s.It also describes the controversy sparked by his claim that he had found the source of the great river, and the honors he received for his discovery.Download Description
Uzinza, which we now entered, is ruled by two Wahuma chieftains of foreign blood, descended from the Abyssinian stock, of whom we saw specimens scattered all over Unyamuezi, and who extended even down south as far as Fipa. Travellers see very little, however, of these Wahuma, because, being pastorals, they roam about with their flocks and build huts as far away as they can from cultivation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

lush, adventure in search of the source of the Nile..
one of the last great geographical explorations was in order to find the source of the Nile..British Victorian hero and adventurer Richard Burton took a young John Speke under his wing and attempted to find the answer to this great mystery..Burton, translator of the 'Kuma Sutra' was an adventurer through and through..wanting to experience native customs and cultures and to understand them not just use them for the purposes of the journey. The relationship between Burton and Speke is the heart and soul of this book. Their differences become more profound the deeper their adventure takes them and finally Speke leaves Burton as he goes for the glory for himself. Burton's life comes to a sad end for such a richly led life. This is an incredible book. Rich, exciting, thrilling.

Fumbling for the source of the Nile
A marvellous novel about the brilliant explorer and writer Richard Burtonand his young protege John Hanning Speke and there ill-fated attempt tolocate the source of the White Nile in the east African highlands.In theprocess we see the difficulties faced by Victorian explorers and you canonly marvel at the bravery of the men to undertake such journeys.

We seethe recriminations that erupt in London when Speke claims (rightly butwithout real proof) that Victoria is the source and how Burton is sidelinedand eventually is lucky to find positions in the worst jobs in the foreignservice.A sad end for one of the worlds greatest explorers.I can feelno sympathy for the end that Speke met with, but read it for yourself.Nowa movie, but the film cannot capture a fraction of the book. ... Read more