Wanderings in West Africa is a travelogue written by Richard F. Burton, a renowned British explorer and linguist, detailing his adventures in the West African region. The book is divided into several chapters, each describing his experiences in different parts of the region, including Sierra Leone, Liberia, and the Gold Coast (now Ghana). Burton's writing style is vivid and descriptive, providing readers with a firsthand account of the people, cultures, and landscapes he encountered during his travels. He describes the ...
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Wanderings in West Africa is a travelogue written by Richard F. Burton, a renowned British explorer and linguist, detailing his adventures in the West African region. The book is divided into several chapters, each describing his experiences in different parts of the region, including Sierra Leone, Liberia, and the Gold Coast (now Ghana). Burton's writing style is vivid and descriptive, providing readers with a firsthand account of the people, cultures, and landscapes he encountered during his travels. He describes the customs and traditions of the various tribes he encountered, as well as their religious beliefs and practices. He also provides detailed descriptions of the natural environment, including the flora and fauna of the region.Throughout the book, Burton's passion for exploration and adventure shines through, as he recounts his encounters with dangerous animals, treacherous terrain, and hostile tribes. He also delves into the political and economic realities of the region, providing insight into the colonial powers that were vying for control over West Africa at the time.Overall, Wanderings in West Africa is a fascinating and informative read, offering readers a glimpse into a bygone era of exploration and discovery in one of the world's most diverse and complex regions.Two Volumes In One.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
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Richard Burton was not an unbiased observer, but he was an interested and educated one, so that in spite of his biases, he was a faithful and articulate observer of things that are no longer there.
His travels along the West African coast and through the offshore islands are well worth reading for those who would like to know what the area was like around 1860.
One aspect of the book I particularly enjoyed was the discussion of health concerns. Mr. Burton displays the ignaorance of his time but also some surprisingly correct instincts, such as a dislike of living in malarial swamps.
Another fascinating aspect is his meticulous accounting of the death rate of Europeans in the area, which was appalling.
All in all, this book is a treasure for readers interested in a slice of African history.