Black Livingstone: A True Tale of Adventure in the Nineteenth-Century Congo

by Pagan Kennedy

Book Overview

Black Livingstone is the first book to chronicle the remarkable life of William Henry Sheppard. As a twenty-four-year-old African American missionary in 1890, Sheppard departed for what was then the Belgian Congo, accompanied by Samuel Lapsley, a white man who had grown up on a plantation and was the son of a prominent Alabama judge. Lapsley died of fever barely a year later, but Sheppard thrived in Africa for three more years before returning to...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0670030368
• ISBN13: 9780670030361
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Viking Books
• Length: 237 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.2" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

The humanitarian at heart

Black Livingstone is a remarkable tale, illustrating hardships, history, and the dignity and determination associated with two courageous explorers. Pagan Kennedy accurately portrays 19th century Africa, and shows the light and beauty of the "dark continent". Readers are bombarded with delicate representations of barbaric and striking images. In turn, it enables the reader to experience a deeper feeling of empathy for the abused Africans. This novel raises questions as to whose way of thinking was most primitive. This ironic twist reveals that perhaps the most civilized are the most barbaric by nature. The character Sheppard shows the Pontius Pilate in all of us. That no matter how much we want to strive for goodness, our weaknesses and dark sides, can get the best of us. The novels descriptive nature allows readers to see the intimacy Sheppard shared with the Kuba people, as well as the lack of intimacy he did share with his wife. A notable highlight of this novel is demonstrated when a more tasteless and uncouth side of Sheppard is shown. It showcases the human nature of Sheppard, and most men in general. Although not a difficult read, this book is recommended to those who care for the well being for the human race.

Brilliant story-telling!

I picked up this book with some trepidation. What did I know about the Congo at the turn of the century? Who was William Shepard? Still, a friend a recommended it, and boy was I glad I read it. Despite the fact that I had other work to do, I could not put the book down until I finished it. The story was incredibly compelling, and Pagan Kennedy's style thrusted me from page to page. As an academic, I am used to books that weigh you down with footnotes and hyper-analysis tha, in the end, forget to tell you a story! Pagan Kennedy is a story-teller, first and foremost, and with this book she shows what she can do, while still conveying the depths of the tragic history of the Congo. This is a book both for learning and, just as importantly, for fun. I am not a professional reviewer, but I could see this being one of those books they recommend as great summer reading, or one of those books your read on the beach during vacation.

An excellent, lively coverage

This true-life story of a black adventurer in the 19th century Congo examines the adventures and discoveries of one William Sheppard, an Afro-American missionary who in 1890 sailed to the Belgian Congo and eventually became one of the most controversial human rights activists of his time. An excellent, lively coverage.

Powerful and Gripping

Pagan Kennedy's dynamic new biography has the drama, flair, and in-depth characterization of an extraordinary novel. Leaving the stuffy academic approach to historical biographies behind, she captivates the reader by truly entering this fascinating figure's mind. Beautifully written, expertly researched, it's impossible to put down - the characters spring off the page and come to life. One of the best biographies I've ever read of any kind. Kennedy rivals celebrated biographer Richard Ellman, the award-winning scholar of Joyce and Wilde. Like Ellman, Kennedy's imagination and powers of empathy allow us to step into the subject's shoes. Powerful.

fascinating story

I raced through this book, propelled by the swashbuckling adventure, the horrific history of the Belgian Congo 100 years ago, and the plight of William and Lucy Sheppherd. Kennedy writes about this pair so sympathtetically, acknowledging but never hammering at the ironies. Among those ironies: black American missionaries were deemed capable of travelling to Africa without a white man in tow, yet Sheppherd keeps bailing out his white companions. Kennedy weaves all the history and politics in beautifully with the personal, ultimately tragic tale.