The Albert N'Yanza;: Great basin of the Nile, and explorations of the Nile sources

by Samuel White Baker

In 1860 British explorer Samuel White Baker travelled to Africa with his Hungarian-born second wife. The Royal Geographical Society had asked him to search for presumably lost fellow explorers Speke and Grant. They we not lost at all, however, and Baker continued on and discovered what he thought was the source of the Nile, Lake Albert. Baker was awarded the gold medal of the Royal Geographical Society and a knighthood, and left us a remarkable adventure story.

Genres: History

499 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1866

About the author

Sir Samuel White Baker of Britain founded a settlement at Ceylon in 1848, explored the region of the Blue Nile from 1861 to 1862, and as the first such European, reached Albert in 1864.

Baker served as an English officer, naturalist, big game hunter, engineer, writer, and abolitionist.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_...

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very readable account of Bakers expedition to discover the source of the Nile. The fact that this man returns to England with his wife at the end are testament to his tenacity in the face of overwhelming odds. At the outset he is faced with hostility from every angle, but with an amazing diplomacy he wins the hearts of nearly all who he travels with or stays with. His observations of the land, animals and people are informative. He treats each tribe and individual on his own merits and considering the treachery he faced at the hands of some I can understand his poor assessment at times, but only up to a point. Baker was staunchly set against slave trading and did all he could to stand seperate from the Turks who continued in it. Bakers observations of the utter ruin it produced is terribly sad. Those who displayed integrity, loyalty and common courtesy he gives abundant praise, no matter their origin. The writing is far from being politically correct as you would expect from the period but was in comparison with other people of the same era eg Henry Stanley, his treatment of the native tribes was to be commended.

[Wade Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samuel Baker is so easy to read. He describes a world that no longer exists. The only way for someone in the 21st century to experience what Baker did, is for that person to read his books. The world he explored has ceased to exist. Africa, in many ways, is a violent and unsafe place today, but it is so very different than it was back in the mid- to late 1800s. Read it for an accurate depiction of Victorian Exploration and Africa. Be respectful and enjoy it with a mind to its time and setting. Place your 21st century biases on hold. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am sure you will too.