Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita was a young Kongolese woman who in 1704 claimed to be possessed by St. Anthony; argued that Jesus was a Kongolese; criticized Italian Capuchin missionaries for not supporting black saints; and attempted to stop the devastating cycle of civil wars between contenders for the Kongolese throne. She was burned at the stake in 1706. Background information is supplied on Kongo; the development of Catholicism there; and the role of local warfare in the Atlantic slave trade.
#3850331 in Books Cambridge University Press 2009-07-31Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.72 x 1.38 x 6.85l; 3.15 #File Name: 0521517575650 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The greatest discoveryBy CarlIf your looking for more than just written stories on Darwin's adventure and want to get to the source; this is the ultimate book for any history buff or any one wanting to know how Darwin came up with his evidence for evolution. All the notebooks from his voyage has been deciphered and explained and gone over to make it accessible to the general public. Well done by the researcher's including Darwin's descendent to go over and research this very important scientific voyage that has made us think of how we and all species on this planet have evolved through the natural process of evolution.6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Another Darwin Gap FilledBy Ronald H. ClarkWith this volume; we finally have the complete publication of all 15 field notebooks Darwin used on his historical Beagle voyage. These notebooks should not be confused with Darwin's published diaries of the voyage (in his autobiographies) or his "Journal of Researches" published in 1839. These are the actual notebooks Darwin used on the sea and on land; into which he wrote his impressions; data; interviews and suggestions for further research. This handsome volume (in library-tough binding) from Cambridge University Press is the result of 30 years of the editors working with Darwinian materials. Each of the 15 notebooks has its own introduction; and there are frequent photoduplications of notebook pages as well as other abundant illustrations throughout. There are all sorts of helpful aids included; for example diagram showing at which point in time each notebook was in use. Some helpful charts and maps used by Darwin and the crew also make an appearance. A foreword by Richard Darwin Keynes (a great-grandson); editor of Darwin's "Beagle Diary;" opens the volume; followed by an excellent Introduction by the two editors. From these essays we learn some interesting background facts: Darwin considered himself primarily a geologist on the trip; 33% of the entries were made while on land; we learn about the history and physical configuration of the notebooks via reproductions and pictures; and how the use of the notebooks changed during the course of the voyage.Since so much of Darwin's writing and writing about him spring from these sources; it is interesting to peek into them and see the original entries. The editors describe some of the challenges of working with the material; noting for example that Darwin wrote many of the entries on horseback or while moving around on foot--so penmanship is not of the highest quality. The authors have added other helpful touches: frequent annotations place Darwin's notebook entries into context; an extensive "Chronological Register" pins down where Darwin was at any point during the voyage;"Expedition Equipment" is addressed in another essay; and a fine bibliography and extensive index round out the volume. All told; the book runs some 600 pages of the finest typography and paper; with numerous illustrations and photoduplications; something to be considered given the high price of the book. One can only stand in amazement when reviewing the inexhaustible thoroughness of the entries--nothing missed Darwin's eye and his pen apparently. We are just plain fortunate that this outstanding volume has appeared with its potential to enhance ever further our understanding of this most unique indvidual during his bicentennial year.
