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Title: To the Heart of the Nile : Lady Florence Baker and the Exploration of Central Africa by Pat Shipman ISBN: 0-06-050555-9 Publisher: William Morrow Pub. Date: 03 February, 2004 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 5 (2 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: To the Heart of the Nile : Lady Florence Baker and the Explo
Comment: With his conversational writing style, Shipman breathes life into the story of harem girl-turned-explorer Florence Baker and her much older adventurer husband, Sam. During their first trip to Africa (1861-65), they explored the Nile and its tributaries, confirmed that Lake Albert was a source of the Nile, and discovered Murchison Falls while enduring drought, floods, malaria, warring natives, and starvation. On their second trip (1869-73), Sam was appointed pasha of Equatoria and charged with abolishing the slave trade, annexing parts of the Sudan, and establishing trading posts on the river. For all of these details, however, Florence's life before she met Sam is poorly documented, and Shipman's account of how they met contradicts past reports. Richard Hall's Lovers on the Nile (1980) claims that Sam bought her at a harem slave auction in Viddin, while Shipman claims that Sam kidnapped her, drawing conclusions from research into the Hungarian Revolution of 1848-49 and the lives of women in the Ottoman Empire. Readers who enjoyed Shipman's biography of Eugene Dubois, The Man Who Found the Missing Link, will be pleased with this offering. However, because the bulk of the biography rests on invented dialog, it is appropriate for public libraries only
Rating: 5
Summary: Adventure... Historic Reveal of a Courageous Young Woman...
Comment: 2004 hardcover...
This reader is exposed to author Professor Pat Shipman for the first time... I read Shipman's TO THE HEART OF THE NILE: "Lady Florence Baker and the Exploration of Central Africa", knowing that exchanges in conversations, emotions and thoughts between the subjects from another century are dependent on imaging and imagination in hypothetical terms.
I tackled TO THE HEART OF THE NILE: "Lady Florence Baker and the Exploration of Central Africa", not knowing what to expect with thought that I might be in for a "dry" read of history. I knew naught of the heroine, Florence Baker, but pleasurably found a brave human being in the framework of the passages of this tome.
The author has brought non-fiction and fiction together by her narrative style, relating Florence and Sam Baker's adventures into initially unknown territories.
Non-fiction derived from research of records, journals, and generosity of Baker descendants in sharing of information...
Fiction through interpretations of research as the author admits: "... I have attributed thoughts and words to Florence and the people in her life. For those who believe the best biographies contain nothing but documented facts, I beg to disagree."
This reader has found the author's admission of the latter stated eloquently and honestly, as assumptions and imagination remain endemic to many non-fiction writings.
It becomes obvious that Professor Shipman resourcefully researched Florence & Sam Baker, bringing them to life through the use of historical facts intermingled with conjecture in the exchanges of a woman rescued from the slave auction block by Sam Baker; educated at an early age in life; passing into adulthood quickly; and taken into the world of travel and adventure. Most impressive is the ability and talents of Professor Shipman to have "jelled" the saga of Lady Baker, her relationship with her husband, Lady Baker's courage to face adversities in an era when activities of "women in a man's world" were obscurely and penitentially shunned.
A delightful saga of bravery, courage and stamina to explore little-known territories, not just once, but returning a second time with obstacles and impediments no lighter than the first voyage.
Professor Shipman has made a large contribution to my reading pleasure as well as extended subject matter. Another book, another education, another path, another author who has impressed this reader solely for her ability to bring to life the humanity of those who have gone before us.
To any reader, regardless of her/his taste for non-fiction/fiction historical writings -- "TO THE HEART OF THE NILE: Lady Florence Baker and the Exploration of Central Africa" is a recommended read -- it is meticulously crafted LIKE FINE CHOCOLATE and researched, creating an educational, informative and enjoyable writing.
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