Heroes of Livingstone's last trek revealed

Posted by Kaye, Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh EH16 5AJ

Fri, 25 May 2007 22:03:57 GMT

I grue when I hear about missionaries... how did we have the gall to go forth to 'convert' the 'heathen' when we had social conditions more requiring 'sorting' in Scotland.... And, it would seem, we still have the huge numbers of disadvantaged... we should sort our own problems before sorting that which is not broken.

Posted by Johnbrady, Glasgow

Tue, 22 May 2007 10:05:49 GMT

I was Interested to see the article regarding Livingstone’s final journey. I remember being fascinated at description in the David Livingstone centre in Blantyre at the lengths his attendants went to ship his body back to Britain. Bighearted Scotland, a group of 5 Scottish Charities are organising a fundraising challenge – the Livingstone’s Footsteps Challenge – where participants will raft, canoe and trek in the Zambezi and visit Livingstone in Zambia. As well as the physical activity people will contribute to the local community by spending a day volunteering in an orphanage. Full details can be found on website http://www.bigheartedscotland.org/livingstone.htm

Posted by Clare Pettitt, London

Sun, 20 May 2007 14:00:29 GMT

As the author of Dr Livingstone, I Presume?, I am delighted that it's publication is being noticed in Scotland, as I think Livingstone's Scottishness is essential to understanding his story, as I have emphasised in the book. I agree wholeheartedly with SurferSam, too, that the issue of the servants' treatment in England and Scotland in 1874 was very much complicated by class- I discuss Victorian attitudes to servants more generally in the book. Thank you for your interest.

Posted by brooklinebruce, US of A

Sun, 20 May 2007 13:52:06 GMT

I am absolutely fascinated by the story. So much love & devotion and so little reward for their service to a great man.

Posted by SurferSam, Brisbane

Sun, 20 May 2007 13:39:40 GMT

Just on the so-called 'racist' reaction of Victorian Britain to the two African attendants: Victorian Britain was far more concerned about class than race. If you were a servant, you were expected to live and eat with the servants; that didn't change even if you did become a celebrity for some reason. But if you were an African tribal king, a Polynesian prince or an Indian Maharaja, you were invited to dine at the finest tables and a guest at the homes of aristocracy and royalty. Class you see, not race.

Posted by alex paterson, embra

Sun, 20 May 2007 11:08:56 GMT

Yep,I think i will be first in the queue for this book.