Wanderings in West Africa is a travelogue written by Richard F. Burton, a British explorer, geographer, and linguist who traveled extensively in Africa in the mid-19th century. The book is a detailed account of Burton's travels through the West African region, including present-day Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon. Burton describes the people, customs, and landscapes of the region, as well as his encounters with various tribes and kingdoms, such as the Ashanti and Dahomey. He also provides insights into the slave trade and the ...
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Wanderings in West Africa is a travelogue written by Richard F. Burton, a British explorer, geographer, and linguist who traveled extensively in Africa in the mid-19th century. The book is a detailed account of Burton's travels through the West African region, including present-day Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon. Burton describes the people, customs, and landscapes of the region, as well as his encounters with various tribes and kingdoms, such as the Ashanti and Dahomey. He also provides insights into the slave trade and the impact of European colonization on West Africa. The book is divided into several chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of Burton's journey. The author's vivid descriptions of the local flora and fauna, as well as his encounters with dangerous animals, add to the excitement of the narrative. Overall, Wanderings in West Africa is a fascinating account of a bygone era of exploration and discovery, and a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history and culture of West Africa.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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Add this copy of Wanderings In West Africa to cart. $97.31, new condition, Sold by Booksplease rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Southport, MERSEYSIDE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2010 by Kessinger Publishing.
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.
