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Title: The White Nile by Alan Moorehead ISBN: 0-06-095639-9 Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: 01 October, 2000 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.18 (17 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Magnificent Must Read
Comment: Alan Moorehead is one of the finest writers of history books for the lay reader, and "The White Nile" is one of his best books. Moorehead focuses on the period of 1856-1899, telling the story of European discovery, conquest, and colonization of the Nile region. The first part, "Exploration", covers Burton, Speke, Baker, Mutesa, Livingstone, and Stanley. The second part, "Exploitation", covers growing European influence in Khedive Ismail's Egypt and Barghash's Zanzibar in the 1860's, and introduces General Gordon. The third part, "The Moslem Revolt" sees General Gordon defeated by the Mahdi at Khartoum and Emin Pasha rescued by Stanley. The last part, "The Christian Victory" tells of Marchand's march to Fashoda, Kitchener's victory in Khartoum, and the arrival of Thomas Cook cruises. Some may object to Moorehead's emphasis on Europeans, but this is part of the history of the region. It is fascinating history and it is brought to life in this book, which has deservedly become a classic. Well worth reading not only for the history itself, but also for Moorehead's well-crafted prose. Five stars.
Rating: 5
Summary: They don't come better than this
Comment: This volume is set in the latter half of the 19th Century, and narrates the quest to discover the source of the Nile, followed by the attempted exploitation of Africa, the struggle for power, sveral wars, and so on. It is a very worthwhile read.
Alan Moorehead is the best writer of documentary literature that I know of. He is a joy to read: informative, funny, entertaining, but still a shrewd intellectual with a profound understanding of history. I particularly enjoyed the exploration part, which brings to life such larger-than-life characters as Livingstone, Stanley, Burton, Speke, etc. These early explorers make even the most intrepid modern daredevils look like couch potatoes.
While reading some parts of the book one cannot help but draw parallels to current events. Many of the events recounted could as well have happened today - including horrific savagery in Central Africa, and moslem fanaticism in the Sudan. Perhaps we have not really come very far in 150 years.
Rating: 4
Summary: A dated but exciting read
Comment: Anyone who enjoys historical narrative will enjoy The White Nile. It certainly robbed me of my sleep! I was expecting much more on the exploration itself, and wasn't prepared for the long section on Khartoum and Gordon, but it turned out to be a fascinating story, one worth reading.
The problem with this book has already been pointed out: its dated, essentially racist attitudes. Moorehead, true to his era (this book was researched/written in the late 50s) evinces very little sympathy for African cultures. Gordon, Speke, Burton and Livingstone may have been admirable for their courage, and their intentions may have been good, but Moorehead has a tendency to hero-worship these Great British Men a little too much for my taste. It is telling that the Arabs, though portrayed chiefly as ruthless slavers and religious fanatics, are still 'civilised companions' to the Europeans who seem unable to have meaningful contact with black Africans. But in this also the book is worth reading - perhaps it is this huge gap of understanding between colonisers and colonised that is the root of Africa's problems even today. To his credit, however, Moorehead recognises the debilitating effect of slavery, endemic violence foreign intervention on African cultures.
Read this book as a great adventure complete with wild heathen, murderous fevers, messianic leaders and impenetrable swamps; as a historical narrative of empire building and its discontents; as a psychological study of explorers, soldiers and bureaucrats; as food for thought on the explosive contact between cultures that bred contempt, pity and fear.
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Title: Gallipoli (Perennial Classics) by Alan Moorehead ISBN: 0060937084 Publisher: Perennial Classics Pub. Date: 03 December, 2002 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Through the Dark Continent:Volume 1 by Henry M. Stanley ISBN: 0486256677 Publisher: Dover Publications Pub. Date: 01 July, 1988 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: Into Africa : The Epic Adventures of Stanley and Livingstone by MARTIN DUGARD ISBN: 0385504519 Publisher: Doubleday Pub. Date: 06 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Desert War: The North African Campaign 1940-1943, Comprising Mediterranean Front, a Year of Battle, the End in Africa by Alan Moorehead ISBN: 0140275142 Publisher: Penguin Books Pub. Date: 01 April, 2001 List Price(USD): $22.00 |
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Title: Journey to the Source of the Nile by Christopher Ondaatje ISBN: 1552093719 Publisher: Firefly Books Ltd Pub. Date: 01 September, 1999 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
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