- Hardcover: 384 pages
- Publisher: Chatto & Windus; illustrated edition edition (10 Feb 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0701167106
- ISBN-13: 978-0701167103
- Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 15.8 x 3.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 314,927 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
On The Missionary Trail
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Tom Hiney does himself something of a disservice with his title, which gives his book a slightly fusty, earnest flavour. But nothing could be further from the reality of reading this combination of history, travel book and adventure story. Hiney, whose last biography was a pacey life of Raymond Chandler, retells the story of two missionaries: George Bennet and Daniel Tyerman, sent by the London Missionary Society to bring Christianity to the godless world, beginning with Tahiti and travelling through New Zealand, Australia, the far East, India and Africa. His subtitle captures the spirit of his book better: "the Classic Georgian Adventure of Two Englishmen Sent on a Journey Around the World 1821-29". These two perfectly ordinary individuals did and saw extraordinary things in a wonderful variety of exotic locations.
Hiney's admiration for the sheer grit of the London Missionary Society is infectious; and some of his descriptions are particularly penetrating. Tyerman preaching to empty pews in Hawaii, for instance, while the native royal family feasted splendidly in the nearby mission house, singing and laughing, "seated at a large table while a servant in waiting supplied them with ardent spirits". Or the occasion where the deputation was attacked by Maoris ("the ship's carpenter said aloud to Bennet, 'sir, we shall all be murdered and eaten up in a few minutes'"). Tyerman died of "an apoplexy" in Madagascer; although it turns out that he was probably just faint and dehydrated, and may have been inadvertently bled to death by his well-meaning friend. By this stage in the book we have been deeply involved with the two missionaries, and it is hard not to feel moved by his pitiful end, and to breath a sigh of relief to discover that Bennet made it back to London where he devoted the rest of his life to good works. --Adam Roberts
Review
"Lively and sympathetic... This fascinating book is the monument they deserve." -- "Sunday Times"
"Excellent... Hiney writes plainly and clearly. His story is crammed with drama and exotica... Hiney allows people and events to speak for themselves." --"TLS" --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A story full of anecdotes and tales of the 'great figures' of British legend, like Raffles and Clive of India (not such a great guy after all), the book is full of interest; not for its religious content (though there's obviously a lot of that), but for the way that our two heroes view the cultures that they are trying to enlighten. At one point we feel that they are almost ready to embrace Buddhism, they are so impressed with the simplicity of their creed and freedom from internal squabbling - unlike their Christian church. We get insights into the way cultures are developed or destroyed, either by religion, commercial greed or both and how countries bend the rules in order to get a political or commercial advantage - here the British are at their worst in promoting the opium trade, precipitating the war with China. The book is a nice marriage of the narrative of the two Envangelists and Mr Hiney's well-researched commentary, the two parts blending seamlessly into a very enjoyable read.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
At the turn of the 18th/19th century, inspired by Captain Cook's explorations around the world, and with a zeal to turn the world to Christ, hundreds, if not thousands of men and women went to the furthest parts of the known world to bring civilisation and christianity to people. This book lends a sympathetic ear to their hopes and aspirations. More of them died from disease, and tragedy than ever lived to do the work to which they felt called. This book is the remarkable story of two men, one from Sheffield and one from the Isle of Wight,who volunteered to visit these outlandish places for the London Missionary society and report back on their findings. It's a travel book with a difference. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
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