Travels in the Interior Districts of Africa

by Mungo Park
List(s):"Extreme Classics"
Category: "Travel"
Pages:306
Year of Publication:1799
Date Added:01/21/2010
Date Read:10/20/2014
Notes:In 1795, Park entered the African interior with a servant, a horse, some clothing, a few trade goods, a pair of pistols, and two days' worth of provisions. Eighteen months later, he emerged with nothing but the clothes on his back and his notes, which he'd kept in his hat. He attempted to follow the course of the Niger River, but he was held captive for several months by Moors who robbed him of all his goods and possessions. He was alone and nearly destitute when a slave trader agreed to let him travel with him while taking slaves to the coast to trade.
My Rating: 7

Reviews for Travels in the Interior Districts of Africa

Review - Travels in the Interior Districts of Africa

Fascinating. Park was amazingly courageous while at the same time keeping his cool like a good Englishman and dealing stoically with all the misfortunes he encountered. The culture in that part of Africa was an odd one. Three-fourths of the inhabitants were slaves to the other fourth. Petty kings were constantly waging war on neighboring kings and the Muslims pretty much just rode around exploiting everyone else. And yet Park met several people who were kind without expectation of reward and took him in when he was destitute and ill.

Reviewed by Roger on 2014-10-20 19:19:23

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