Stanley
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Product Description
Sunday Times
'This bold and brilliant biography turns received wisdom on its head ... [A] richly researched narrative.'
Sunday Times
'An absorbing, sometimes horrifying biography ... a feat of
advocacy - an ardent, intricate defence of a man history has damned.'
advocacy - an ardent, intricate defence of a man history has damned.'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I have rarely read such a riveting book as this one. The story of Stanley's life is extraordinary and dramatic enough in itself, and Tim Jeal tells it with the vividness that we are accustomed to from his earlier superb biographies of Livingstone and Baden-Powell. But the book is not just a gripping read, it is also an eye-opener. Having had access to previously unused documents, Jeal gives us for the first time a full picture of the real Stanley, who emerges as a towering figure of enormous significance in the history of Africa. Jeal's account of his involvement in the Congo, for example, vindicates Stanley from the charges that have often been levelled against him. While we are shown his warts, Stanley comes across as fundamentally decent and likeable human being. This is a book to which I shall return.
33 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
They don't make heroes any more like the Victorians, but not even they made more than one Stanley. He was bombastic, he lied, he was desperate for love, he created a new identity for himself, he deserted twice from the US forces in the Civil War, he prospected for gold, he became a famous journalist, he thought up the biggest journalistic scoop of the 19th century and then he sorted out the Nile/Congo sources. He went back to Africa again and again even after classic near death experiences. And this was a boy who spent ten years of his childhood in a workhouse which his family never visited. Why didn't he just give up? This is a stunning book about the human will to survive and make something of life. You feel you are with Stanley in the jungle and on the great rivers. You understand what it took to travel aross the continent when malaria killed scores of explorers. No maps, no transport except human porterage, and walking for months and even years and facing more dangers than can be imagined. Yet Stanley needed love like the rest of us and after numerous disasters, eventually found it. A terrific unputdownable book.
31 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Think you know all about Stanley? He asked, "Dr Livingstone, I presume?" Right? Wrong actually. And lots else is wrong about the usual way Stanley is seen. He tried to oppose Leopold's land grab on the Congo rather than carried it out, and was appalled by what went on there after he left Africa. The author of this book has seen scores of letters no-one else has read and retells Stanley's amazing story as it really happened and not as his enemies later made out. A fascinating and convincing revisionary read.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Biography of Stanley
It is a very concise in depth biography, the main drawback is the small print font used. It makes it hard to read comfortably.
Published 4 months ago by Mr. Nicholas Ross
By one who knew him well,John was the greatest !
Like the author of this book I am also very pro H.M Stanley . The book is amazing in its detail and very fair to all involved. Read more
Published 13 months ago by francis johnp
An astounding life - an outstanding author.
Given this as a Christmas present and savoured every page of it.
I had to shed all my pre-conceived ideas of Stanley as an imperialist, racist thug. Read more
I had to shed all my pre-conceived ideas of Stanley as an imperialist, racist thug. Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2010 by M. D. Budd
A brilliant and nuanced biography
I love reading about the old time explorers and the so-called Golden Age of Exploration and when I saw this biography of Stanley I snapped it up with high hopes and great... Read more
Published on 14 Jan 2010 by Hoopdriver
Setting the record straight
This is the truth about Stanley, Denbigh's most famous son. He was much maligned for his experiences in Africa and blamed, undeservedly. Read more
Published on 21 Nov 2009 by Daffodilandrose
New, thorough, probably accurate, dull-ish
I am an avid reader of books on exploration and was looking forward to this one based on reviews I have read. Read more
Published on 2 Oct 2009 by Sherlock
Excellent book
Great book - it gives an informed and fascinating account of the explorer (exposing the negative reports)
Published on 27 July 2009 by Mr. K. J. Heydenrych
The tragic explorer re-assessed
Tim Jeal's book unravels succesfully the misconceptions about Henry Morton Stanley's reputation. Not being the willing executioner of King Leopold's greedy and murderous policy in... Read more
Published on 21 April 2009 by H. A. Wierenga
Excellent. Clears up the life of the worlds greatest explorer
"Dr Livingstone, I presume?". One of the most famous quotes in history attributed to Stanley which, in fact, he never said! Read more
Published on 6 Mar 2009 by Mr. A. M. Bayliss
A superb historical rescue mission
This really is a magnificent biography. Well written, gripping and shedding new light on a fascinating & complex subject. Read more
Published on 20 Sep 2008 by Coniston Old Man
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