Travels in West Africa, Congo Francais, Corisco and Cameroons (Cambridge Library Collection - African Studies) - Softcover

Kingsley, Mary

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1108022006 ISBN 13: 9781108022002

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2010

Synopsis

Mary Kingsley (1862–1900) is one of the best-known Victorian women travellers, whose solo adventures in West Africa made her a celebrity in England. This, her first book, published in 1897, was an instant best-seller. She travelled extensively, engaging in trade both to fund her trip and to get to know the African people, rather than merely observing as an outsider. She brought back quantities of natural specimens, three of which were named after her. On her return to England she was asked to give numerous lectures. Some of her views were considered controversial - she opposed the attempts by missionaries to impose European culture on native people, and defended polygamy and even slavery. Her observations and interests are wide-ranging, and she showed an acute and sympathetic understanding of West African culture and society. For more information on this author, see http://orlando.cambridge.org/public/svPeople?person_id=kingma

About this title

Book Description:

First published in 1897, Mary Kingsley's first book on West Africa was a best-seller. Travelling alone, she lived and traded with native tribes, to learn more about them, rather than observe as an outsider. Her objections to Western cultural imperialism and assumption of superiority were ahead of their time.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1108022006
• ISBN 13: 9781108022002
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 798