BOOKS:Stanley: The Impossible Life of Africa’s Greatest Explorer

“Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” Henry Morton Stanley’s famous words were most likely a fabrication, but many have suspected as much. Stanley added to the obfuscation by tearing out the pages in his diary relating to the encounter. Stanley was like that he was one of the first nineteenth century celebrities to carefully craft an image by embellishing his tales or out right lying. His name is even fake taken from the famous nineteenth century cotton broker Henry Hope Stanley, who Stanley claimed adopted him; this too is also doubtful. Because of all these self created embellishments and fabrications it has been difficult for biographers to sift through all the gloss of legend and half-truths that Stanley weaved around himself. Tim Jeal’s , 2008 biography, “Stanley: The Impossible Life of Africa’s Greatest Explorer,” is a remarkable reassessment of Stanley’s life and throws new light on the true character of the man and his wild adventures through the heart of Africa. This biography is based on previously unavailable letters and archives that have recently been made public. Other biographers have had to rely on limited information that has often distorted their portrait of Stanley. Soon after Stanley’s adventures enthusiasm for his exploits began to fade and he became known for the ruthlessness of his achievements. He regularly talked about beating his African porters to perk up "the physical energy of the lazily inclined." He was also unfazed by the slaughter of 33 Bumbireh warriors, saying in would teach the survivors, “to behave with some regard to the rights of strangers." Was Stanley just playing to Victorian sensibilities of what was expected of a white adventurer in Africa? According to Jeal most likely. He believes Stanley regularly exaggerated the violence he perpetrated. In reality Stanley was not a racist and once said he was, "prepared to admit any black man possessing the attributes of true manhood, or any good qualities, to my friendship, even to a brotherhood with myself." It appears that Stanley was a bit more complicated than previously thought. And what drove him? Did he have psychological issues? According to Jeal, Stanley was driven by the inner abandoned child. Well perhaps? Whatever the reasons for of Stanley actions he as been one of the most misunderstood and mischaracterized individuals in history. Tim Jeal’s book does an admirable job in clearing some of the smoke created by time and Stanley himself. Recommended.