David Livingstone: The truth behind the legend

As a film director, Christian, and volunteer on 5 trips to Africa, I found this book to be the masterwork on David Livingstone. He embodied all the principles of a true Christian, and embarked at the age of 27 on a journey to Africa when only one out of three missionaries lived beyond six months. He went to Africa to work selflessly for his fellow man. His wife died in Zambia and later he died in Zambia, where his heart was buried. His followers carried his body back to coast where it was shipped back to London and he is the only commoner buried in Westminster Abbey. Ask anyone today in Zambia why they are a Christian country and they will tell you it's because of Dr. David Livingstone. A truly wonderful book that chronicles the life of a truly selfless man. Gene Massey, Director of the upcoming film based on this book: "Livingstone-An African Legend"

If you are interested in the trailblazer who paved the path into Africa for Christianity this is the book for you. He single handedly stopped the slave trade in Africa through his complete reliance on God and God alone. Just an awesome person of faith and a true testimony to humanity. He shows you what the human spirit is willing to endure for his love of others and God.

I guess there are times in biography writing when the sheer magnitude of the subject overshadows the book. However, Rob Mackenzie captures this life with pure genius. As he takes us on the chronological journey of David Livingstone's life, we are deeply saddened by the utter despair of his relentless failings and hopeless circumstances, only to reach to the top and celebrate in the victory of a simple move forward. He truly captures the love and compassion that Dr. Livingstone had for a forgotten people and shames us with the recounting of his unfeigned commitment. The road to Africa's salvation is surely paved with the blood of this man and the content challenges us to dare to take that road after him. When the author describes the final scene--with David Livingstone crumpled over, dying silently while in prayer, I am in tears and like the natives, afraid to consider what to do next. I took this biography personally and I am unworthy to even walk in his shadow, you see, I am a missionary in Zambia. Every success I experience now, was properly paid for and recounted in this book.

Reading this book on David Livingstone's life has really impacted my life in an incredible way! I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to be spiritually challenged in getting the gospel of Jesus Christ out into the world. Having been born and brought up in Zimbabwe as the child of missionaries I feel that we owe so much to Mr Livingstone and many others for "sewing the seed"and giving their lives for the gospel in a beautiful but hard land.

I went to Cecil Rhodes School and my 'sports house' was Livingstone (this was in London). David Livingstone has always been part of my life, I came to South Africa some years ago. I visited Victoria Falls two year ago while I was there I too saw the same beauty David saw. His Statue overlooks the Falls as if keeping them safe. After reading this book on his life - it had such an impact on me. This man NEVER gave up, he loved the people of Africa and if we could just have a little 'piece' of his humility, we all have hope. Rob Mackenzie showed Livingstone humility all through the book and as I finished the last page. I felt that I had been of a real journey. My life changed because of this - I am 47 years old and I registered for 1st year University in Human Sciences. I even went and bought more copies to give to my friends - it is a humbling experience, it puts everything back into perspective.