Travels in West Africa


Read by Nathalie J.

(4.2 stars; 27 reviews)

Mary Henrietta Kingsley (13 October 1862 – 3 June 1900) was an British explorer and writer who greatly influenced European ideas about Africa and its people. Kingsley was an outspoken critic of European colonialism, a champion for indigenous customs, and a dedicated campaigner for a revised British policy which supported traders and merchants over the needs of settlers and missionaries.

Her adventures were extraordinary and fascinating. Among other things she fought with crocodiles, fell into native spear traps and was caught in a tornado on the slopes of Mount Cameroon. She traveled in West Africa wearing the same clothes she always wore in England: long, black, trailing skirts, tight waists, high collars and a small fur cap. These same clothes saved her life when she fell into a game pit, the many petticoats protecting her from being impaled on the stakes below.

This is her story in her own words of her adventures and the people and culture of West Africa. (Summary by Kehinde) (20 hr 8 min)

Chapters

Preface & Introduction 33:11 Read by Nathalie J.
LIVERPOOL TO SIERRA LEONE AND THE GOLD COAST 44:03 Read by Nathalie J.
FERNANDO PO AND THE BUBIS 1:04:36 Read by Nathalie J.
VOYAGE DOWN COAST 31:32 Read by Nathalie J.
THE OGOWÉ 1:08:07 Read by Nathalie J.
THE RAPIDS OF THE OGOWÉ 1:06:11 Read by Nathalie J.
LEMBARENE, Part 1 43:59 Read by Nathalie J.
LEMBARENE, Part 2 40:43 Read by Nathalie J.
ON THE WAY FROM KANGWE TO LAKE NCOVI, Part 1 32:51 Read by Nathalie J.
ON THE WAY FROM KANGWE TO LAKE NCOVI, Part 2 34:12 Read by Nathalie J.
FROM NCOVI TO ESOON, Part 1 35:29 Read by Nathalie J.
FROM NCOVI TO ESOON, Part 2 51:28 Read by Nathalie J.
FROM ESOON TO AGONJO 33:57 Read by Nathalie J.
BUSH TRADE AND FAN CUSTOMS 49:09 Read by Nathalie J.
DOWN THE REMBWÉ 37:51 Read by Nathalie J.
FETISH 57:43 Read by Nathalie J.
FETISH - (Continued) 47:51 Read by Nathalie J.
FETISH - (Continued) 42:44 Read by Nathalie J.
FETISH - (Continued) 37:19 Read by Nathalie J.
FETISH - (Concluded) 55:12 Read by Nathalie J.
ASCENT OF THE GREAT PEAK OF CAMEROONS 33:42 Read by Nathalie J.
THE GREAT PEAK OF CAMEROONS - (Continued) 31:01 Read by Nathalie J.
THE GREAT PEAK OF CAMEROONS - (Continued) 21:09 Read by Nathalie J.
THE GREAT PEAK OF CAMEROONS - (Concluded) 33:34 Read by Nathalie J.
TRADE AND LABOUR IN WEST AFRICA, Part 1 47:33 Read by Nathalie J.
TRADE AND LABOUR IN WEST AFRICA, Part 2 49:12 Read by Nathalie J.
TRADE AND LABOUR IN WEST AFRICA, Part 3 46:57 Read by Nathalie J.
DISEASE IN WEST AFRICA 31:26 Read by Nathalie J.
APPENDIX. THE INVENTION OF THE CLOTH LOOM 5:29 Read by Nathalie J.

Reviews

I enjoyed this a great deal.


(4 stars)

The author, Kinglsey, is an excellent study in contradictions. A scholar, but not in favor of the equality of women ,and horrifed by trousers. In favor of native rights, and yet in favor of slavery if pracitsed by natives. Such a complex and odd character, and so widely traveled (in search of freshwater fish?) Truly an amazing story.


(5 stars)

Mary Kingsley is so frank and detailed in her observations. Fantastic to listen to slowly and marvel in her adventures and humorous observations of West Africa in the early 1900s.


(4 stars)

Good story-the narration is good but she pronounces a lot of words wrong and for some reason that bothers me

amazing voice!


(5 stars)

the reader has such an amazing voice. I'd love to hear her do a ramblefap.

a wonderful story that lets one see into another time and place


(4 stars)

boring


(1 stars)

the reader does a good job, but i just can't get into this book! it starts off like a "how to travel to africa" guide for the wealthy. from the other reviews, it sounds like it MAY get interesting at SOME point... but i listened and listened and got sleepy and bored. this one is not for me.


(5 stars)

What an amazing person! Very brave and intelligent - and funny. She definitely deserves to be more well-known. It is also a very interesting look into a part of the world that most Westerners even today know very little about. The reader fits the part well and reads with excellent clarity and empathy.