Synopses & Reviews
Upon her sudden freedom from family obligations, a sheltered Victorian spinster traded her stifling middle-class existence for an incredible expedition in the Congo. Mary Kingsley traversed uncharted regions of West Africa alone, on foot, collecting specimens of local fauna and trading with natives--a remarkable feat in any era, but particularly for a woman of the 1890s. After hacking her way through jungles, being fired upon by hostile tribesmen and attacked by wild animals, Kingsley emerged with no complaint more serious than a pair of tired feet. She undertook her exploits in the traditional garb of her era but lived as a native, and she found herself drawn into the life and problems of the region: its diversity of customs and beliefs; its geography and natural history; its trade network; the impact of missionaries; and many other issues of the day. Her account of her experiences, suffused with an infectious good humor, was published to immediate success in 1897 and remains a compelling tale of adventure.
Synopsis
A sheltered Victorian spinster trades her mundane middle-class existence in the 1890s for an incredible expedition in the Congo. Recounted with an infectious good humor, the journey draws her into the diverse customs and beliefs of the area, its natural history, and many issues of the day. 42 halftones.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER I
LIVERPOOL TO SIERRA LEONE
CHAPTER II
THE GOLD COAST
CHAPTER III
FERNANDO PO AND THE BUBIS
CHAPTER IV
LAGOS BAR
CHAPTER V
VOYAGE DOWN COAST
CHAPTER VI
LIBREVILLE AND GLASS
CHAPTER VII
THE OGOWÉ
CHAPTER VIII
TALAGOUGA
CHAPTER IX
THE RAPIDS OF THE OGOWÉ
CHAPTER X
LEMBARENE
CHAPTER XI
FROM KANGWE TO LAKE NCOVI
CHAPTER XII
FROM NCOVI TO ESOON
CHAPTER XIII
FROM ESOON TO AGONJO
CHAPTER XIV
BUSH TRADE AND FAN CUSTOMS
CHAPTER XV
DOWN THE REMBWÉ
CHAPTER XVI
CONGO FRANÇAIS
CHAPTER XVII
THE LOG OF THE Lafayette
CHAPTER XVIII
FROM CORISCO TO GABOON
CHAPTER XIX
FETISH
CHAPTER XX
FETISH-( Continued)
CHAPTER XXI
FETISH-( Continued)
CHAPTER XXII
FETISH-( Continued)
CHAPTER XXIII
FETISH-( Concluded)
CHAPTER XXIV
ASCENT OF THE GREAT PEAK OF CAMEROONS
CHAPTER XXV
ASCENT OF THE GREAT PEAK OF CAMEROONS-( Continued)
CHAPTER XXVI
THE GREAT PEAK OF CAMEROONS-( Continued)
CHAPTER XXVII
THE GREAT PEAK OF CAMEROONS-( Concluded)
CHAPTER XXVIII
THE ISLANDS IN THE BAY OF AMBOISES
APPENDIX
I. TRADE AND LABOUR IN WEST AFRICA
II. DISEASE IN WEST AFRICA
III. DR. A. GÜNTHER ON REPTILES AND FISHES
IV. "ORTHOPTERA, HYMENOPTERA, AND HEMIPTERA"
V. THE INVENTION OF THE CLOTH LOOM
INDEX