To the Heart of the Nile: Lady Florence Baker and the Exploration of Central Africa

One of the best books written on early exploration of Africa by the British regime. Told by the wife of Lord Baker, it brings a human element to the culture, danger, excitement and added hardship when Lady Baker travelled with her husband. I recommend this book to anyone interested in history and human endurance.

Based on journal entries, private papers, and newspaper articles of the day, Pat Shipman has provided us with a true story of love and bravery. When Sam and Florence Baker set out together to search for the source of the Nile, they encountered unbelievable conditions as they painfully made their way on camel back across the burning desert, and often on foot through the jungle to the heart of Africa. Knowing that they eventually became Lord and Lady Baker is a consolation, as you suffer with their trials, debilitating fevers and horrendous tribal wars. Here we have a story of enduring love amidst great hardship. A book worth reading from beginning to end as you watch Sam Baker rescue this beautiful Hungarian girl from a highly specialized slave auction for girls who had been prepared to grace any Sultan's harem! This remarkable and beautiful young woman went on to save the life of her husband on more than one occasion. The charming black and white sketches and illustrations, plus two maps, add considerably to the value of the book.

This is simply an amazing tale of an incredible womans life. Lady Baker led an extraordinary life of adventure and danger with the man she loved.Her travels and adventures in Africa were quite unusual for a women of her time.You have to root for her as it appears that her past will be exposed in victorian England and ruin her happiness. Hollywood should get a hold of this. It would make a spectacular adventure story. A great read.Right up there with Osa Johnsons early 1900's adventures.

To the Heart of the Nile is an exceptional work of historical writing. Pat Shipman has produced a very engaging, well researched biography of Lady Florence Baker and her husband, Sam Baker, from Florence Baker's early days spent in an Ottoman harem to the courageous journeys she and her husband made exploring the Nile river. Shipman skillfully provides a description of the relevant history, politics and culture of the Ottoman Empire, Great Britian, Egypt and the Sudan during the life of the remarkable Florence Baker and her husband. The characters and personalities of Florence Baker, Sam Baker, and many others are brought vividly to life. The book reads much like an adventure story, yet stays true to solid historical writing. Shipman does take some liberties with ascribing conversations and thoughts to the Bakers and others, which I initially had questions about. But this is done with very careful regard to the source material, and results in a more engaging tale. The book also contains excellent maps of the Nile River explorations, and a large number of beautiful illustrations. One of the best biographies I've ever read. Very strongly recommended, especially to those interested in women's history and the history of exploration.

Wonderful story that reads like a novel. I didn't know anything about the early exploration of Africa by Europeans. It was fascinating! But better yet, the stories of Sam and Florence were pure magic... again, the things novels are made of: love, betrayal, courage, adventure. Made you wish you had the priviledge of knowing them personally. And if you're a person with a sense of adventure or wanderlust, their stories will stir something in your soul.