Explorers and adventurers

Five leather-bound books from 1869-1878 contain poetry and theatrical plays by the French writer Francois Coppee. They were found at a brocante in Paris.

This week's Sunday Scribblings topic: the books you would write. I am a writer by trade and already writing a book; the book I would write would be something completely different. I've always been interested in adventurers who played a dynamic role in shaping history. The Sunday Scribblings topic made me think about how under Queen Victoria's rule the British National Geographic Society sponsored extensive exploration into unknown lands.

Men like Richard Burton and John Speke; Henry Stanley and Dr. David Livingstone and General Charles George Gordon struggled for years in long dangerous treks through remote outposts in the Heart of Africa. These brave men traversed Zanzibar, the Khartoum and the Sudan while seeking the source of the Nile. In the 1850s, these explorers' intellect, curiosity and resourcefulness represented the best of their generation. Personal sacrifices and physical hardship endured were dismissed as necessary evils, so great was their unrelenting quest for the truth.

By the early 1850s, even the most determined explorers on the White Nile had been unable to move past the (present) town of Juba, which was nowhere near the river's source. Fierce heat, vast forests of papyrus reeds, malaria and other tropical fevers, as well as native tribal opposition conspired to prevent progress south.

In 1856, Richard Francis Burton and John Hanning Speke set off for Africa. Rejecting the obvious route that followed the Nile upstream from Egypt, they courageously traveled westward from Zanzibar into the African interior where white men had never ventured. By boat, by camel, horseback and on foot these men chartered new territory.

The slave route from the interior that the men first followed led from one watering place to another, with nearly all traders' caravans headed for Kazeh (now known as Tabora) in Central Tanganyika, 500 miles inland from the sea. From Kazeh the paths extended in all directions: one directly north towards the southern shores of Lake Victoria; another round the Western side of the lake towards the country known as Karagwe; still another due west to Ujiji on Lake Tanganyika and another southward towards Lake Nyasa. Progress was slow and impossible in anything other than dry conditions.

If I had the financial backing and practical assistance and if I were in better physical shape to traverse desolate areas in Central Africa; I'd like to retrace the footsteps of these explorers. I'd write about how time's march has affected these areas: I'd photograph points of interest and talk to those residents whose fathers or grandfathers remember the intrepid British explorers.

In certain areas of the Middle East, whenever I visit, it's as though time has stood still. Other than the usual births and deaths, nothing appears to have changed. I'd like to know if that is the case in remote parts of Central African lands where the explorers fought calamitous accidents, famine, disease and pestilence; treacherous snakes and scorpions; places where angry natives created barriers of poisoned arrows in an attempt to keep the white men from their lands.

As per the Sunday Scribblings challenge, an imaginery opening paragraph of the "book I would write:"

"It's impossible!" the director exclaimed. Richard Burton and John Speke exchanged knowing glances. "Impossible" was added incentive to prove such know-nothing civil servants wrong. The young explorers were tired of bureaucrats lacking vision and imagination, constantly seeking to undermine their mission. The Nile's source was waiting to be found; there was little doubt that with a team of strong men, tools and supplies the prize was theirs to claim.

Comments

[Tammy]

What a great idea! I would like to read those :) Let us know how DeVinci Code was.

[Rebekah]

I have never heard of many of the places you reference here. I am struck sometimes with how very small my world is. What a wonderful tribute this book would be to the strength and character of these adventurers! And to track their steps - even in this world where we take for granted conveniences - what a return to the elemental course of life it would be. Sounds absolutely amazing.

[HoBess]

History and historical fiction are two of my favorite things to read. What wonderful background you offer here ... and a wonderful opening paragraph, too!

[justjohanna]

love these types of stories! and loved reading your 1st paragraph.

[Kerstin]

Love the photo of the books! I have to admit that I have never been that interested in history, possibly caused by unimaginative teaching; reciting paragraphs from history books and learning long lists of dates at school did little to peak my interest. The only way for me to learn anything was, therefore, through the reading of books exactly like the one you describe. I truly admire the authors of such books, their linguistic abilities and the efforts they undertake to research their subjects. It is hard work. Reading just this blog entry I have no doubt that your book would be a raving success!

[tinker]

As a veteran armchair traveller, how I wish I had the means to finance your expedition! This is a literary journey I would definitely want to "book" a ticket for...

[Maggie]

What a catchy first paragraph! I am hooked, and now researching novels about these amazing explorers. I wish I could read yours!

[Kate]

This is a great idea. I for one would love to read this book.

[amber]

What a great idea! I have a feeling you would be a fascinating person to sit and talk with. I but you have all kinds of cool ideas in your head!

:)

[boliyou]

I love history, and I'd be very interested to read and learn more from your book.

[Cate]

I would love to read your "would write" book--this post is an absolutely perfect teaser! I cannot even imagine how exciting the research part would be--even more stories and ideas, tumbling at you throughout your travels! xo

[liz elayne]

i can't wait to read this one...oh the adventures that await you in researching this book...
i also love how this gives a glimpse into who you are as well...

[bb]

This topic was particularly pertinent to me as I watched The English Patient last night- a bit behind the times, I know, but I couldn't go near it when it was first released as I was repelled by the hype!
This is an exciting premise for a book, well more than a book, a new life really! But wherever our ideas for books go, we find ourselves following them in our waking lives, don't you think? Dreams incarnate...

[GoGo]

Interesting. Good luck with it. I'd give it a read.

[NiHao]

Looks like you've got a great jump start on a second book. If it's the book you "would" write, then make it the book you "will" write. Good luck!

[tongue_in_cheek_antiques]

Go for it Tara! I read a book about Sam Baker and his wife, the book traces their adventures in Africa, in search of the Nile under Queen Victoria's rule. One of the angles in the book was to trace the relatiosnhip of Sam and his wife, a young girl he bought from a harem.
Your book would be love at first sight for me and others, when do you start, can I be your porter?

[JavaCurls]

Very intriguing idea! Research for your book would definitely be an amazing experience!

[AscenderRisesAbove]

fun to see the assorted books that everyone would write. not too adventerous myself; so I would be one reading this book - not living it

[paradise]

such beautiful old books.

if i had the money and if it weren't as dangerous for a woman traveling solo, i'd really like to visit the middle east, especially jordan.

i stayed in mozambique for a month and it was really lovely. we were set to go to uganda but then were told by a guide to postpone it due to heightened danger levels.

[jennifer]

I would so love to see you write this book!

[Colette]

For me, François Coppée = school.

Alas! Because what does a schoolkid understand about these things??!

Good point about the Middle East -- except maybe for places like Beirut. I visited only once, in my childhood (to be shown the place where I was born), and I think it has changed dramatically.

[Jennifer (she said)]

Wonderful idea for a project. How busy you would be (in a good way) if you were able to see this idea to fruition. I've always wanted to use research in my writing...

[Laini]

Sounds great! I love this sort of story, too. Have you read the story collection "Ship Fever" by Andrea Barrett? Some of the stories tell about the naturalists who were trying to make their names by exploring and collecting specimens in the farflung corners of the world, and the dangers they faced, and the ruin. It really sparked my imagination. Also the Nicolo Rising series of historical novels by Dorothy Dunnett. One of the books took place mainly deep in Africa, with the intricacies of trading there. I'd love to read more about Burton & Speke, and to retrace their steps would be a journey of a lifetime for you!

[Ali]

I like this idea very much. I have always had an adventurous tendency and I now live in Africa, so if you need a partner for your book writing just let me know! ;)

I lived for a year in a rural area of Mozambique and got the sense frequently that I'd traveled back in time 100 years. Village life, women singing, dirt roads. And then a cell phone would ring. Not mine, but the phone of the smallholder farmer tilling the land of his ancestors. And then I know that despite what it may look like, things have changed.

[susan]

If I had the means, I would certainly back you...great start! Of course I would also insist on going along as your gopher/assistant. Faci ating post!
Oh and btw...plain chocolate, not nuts, no fillings, and the darker, the better :-)