Born for Adventure

If you are searching for adventure, whether you are a teenager or an adult, this is surely a tale to keep you glued to your seat. Based on the true story of Henry Morton Stanley (of Stanley & Livingstone) and of one of his expeditions to Africa, you will find one action packed scene after another. The heat of the jungle will have you sweating, the tropical flora and fauna will mesmerize you, the mysteries of the tribal Pygmies will intrique you, and the snakes, the insects, the beating drums and ceremonial dances and blood brother rites will have you totally transported as if you too were treking through the Congo in search of adventure. Some of this is rather gruesome, not for the squeamish or very young teen. The author depicts this adventure true to life and did not allow for telling it other than as it actually was. It was harsh, it was hard, it was hot, and death defying. Our young hero of the story, a bright and anxious English lad searching for a way to avoid a boring dismal life like that of his father, connives his way on board ship with Stanley and sails off to Africa born for what he thinks is going to be a piece-of-cake walk through the jungle to rescue a British Royal. Little does he know of the dangers that lie ahead, and that his brief jaunt to Africa will see years off of his life and of harsh realities of a land filled with both wonders and peril. None of which he can scarely imagine. The book is filled with great characters; shipmates, explorers, soldiers, doctors, and a variety of colorful African tribesmen both good and bad. All of which our hero encounters with both love and disdain as he becomes jack-of-all-trades under the servitude of Stanley. One finds a little bit of everything you need in a good novel all wrapped up in this one great story of adventure and as usual, the author delivers a top-notch yarn. Also a great story by this author is Exiled, a fabulous story told through the eyes of a camel.