David Livingstone (1813–1873) is revered as one of history’s greatest explorers and missionaries; the first European to cross Africa; and the first to find Victoria Falls and the source of the Congo River. In this exciting new edition; Jeal draws on fresh sources and archival discoveries to provide the most fully rounded portrait of this complicated man—dogged by failure throughout his life despite his full share of success.Using Livingstone’s original field notebooks; Jeal finds that the explorer’s problems with his African followers were far graver than previously understood. From recently discovered letters he elaborates on the explorer’s decision to send his wife Mary back home to England. He also uncovers fascinating information about Livingstone’s importance to the British Empire and about his relationship with the journalist-adventurer Henry Morton Stanley. In addition Jeal here evokes the full pathos of the explorer’s final journey. This masterful; updated biography also features an excellent selection of new maps and illustrations.
#710036 in Books 2014-04-29Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 1.06 x 6.13l; 1.33 #File Name: 0300179936320 pages
Review
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Jefferson's PedestalBy VA DuckFor 60 or more years Thomas Jefferson's legacy has been under "reexamination" as investigated by modern historians; less awestruck by the legend; and less dismissive of the failings (slavery; his governorship; the Hemmings affair; the "embargo"; etc). If Jefferson still stands on a high pedestal; Professor Cogliano's examination does little to reduce the height of that pedestal but still provides an even handed treatment.The book is not a biography or even a survey of Jefferson's Presidency; instead it presents seven case-studies on Jeffersonian statecraft ("the use of the power of the state to achieve its ends"): 1) Jefferson's term as the 2nd Governor of Virginia; 2) His emissary to France (replacing Franklin upon his return); 3) His service as 1st Secretary of State in the Washington Administration; 4) The XYZ affair Quasi-War as 2nd Vice President of the U.S.; 5) The Barbary war as 3rd President of the United States; 6) the Louisiana Purchase in his 1st term as US President; 7) The (disastrous) Embargo Act of 1807 during his 2nd term as president.Cogliano defines the book's objectives with: "The main argument advanced in this book is that although Jefferson was guided by a clear idealogical vision for the American republic; he was pragmatic about the means he employed to protect the republic and advance its strategic interests" (loc. 239); "Jefferson was consistent in the ends he sought--the extension and protection of the United States as an agrarian republic. What changed were the means he employed; with mixed results; to secure those ends. This view is consonant with the main argument of this book."The book is very well written and researched and Professor Cogliano achieves his stated objective. Professor Cogliano demonstrates impartiality and respect for other schools of thought throughout the book with acknowledgments such as this example (loc.3599); "Historians disagree as to whether Jefferson deserves credit for the Louisiana Purchase." and (loc. 4290) "Historians often ascribe the embargo to misguided Jeffersonian idealism." This is a highly recommended read illustrating nuanced Jeffersonian foreign policy. Underlying it all however is Jefferson's frequently quoted opinion that his vision of America is one of an 'agrarian republic'; and furthermore that manufacturing would; "hasten the demise of the American Republic" (loc. 875). It is nearly impossible to imagine the United States emerging in the 20th century as a great power had it followed Jefferson's roadmap. And in the end the reader will have to be indulged for wondering if the application of 'statecraft' can ever be considered really 'successful' when applied in pursuit of such a static (uninspiring?) vision.-----kindle edition-----Very well done implementing nearly all of the functionality of an e-book. Missing only page numbers (always annoying) and X-Ray (hardly missed). Even the index is properly hyper-linked to the text (rare)! E-book publication quality for publisher Yale University Press; ★★★★☆ - well done.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Excellent overview of Jefferson's foreign policy!By Dr. W. Terry LindleyIn this new study of the foreign policy of Thomas Jefferson; Francis D. Cogliano rejects both an idealist and realist explanation of Jeferson’s actions as governor; secretary of state; and president. While Jefferson had “a clear ideological vision†for the United States; he “was pragmatic about the means he employed.†(10) The author examines major events in Jefferson’s political career to demonstrate a consistency in his goals with a divergence in the means employed to achieve them. Some of the areas examined are his role as Virginia governor during the American Revolution; his position as American minister to France; his actions as both secretary of state and vice-president; and his two terms as president.Jefferson believed in an agrarian republic with little manufacturing and wanted to trade agricultural goods to Europe for finished products. To achieve these goals; the United States needed to expand to the west for more farm land and create a merchant fleet to conduct commerce. Thus; Jefferson supported commercial treaties with France; Great Britain; and others; and when that trade was threatened; he would use diplomacy or economic force to protect it.The most interesting part of the book is the section on the Barbary pirates. The author first examines the reaction of Jefferson; U.S. minister to France; to the seizure of American ships by these pirates. His opposition to paying tribute or protection money led him to propose a league of small states to militarily deal with the problem. His counsel was ignored by the Confederation government; and the administrations of George Washington and John Adams believed it was better to pay tribute. Then as president Jefferson used the naval stick to bring Tripoli to the negotiating table on America’s terms. Such action; he believed; would win respect in Europe and promote the Union at home. However; he continued to honor the treaties with the other Barbary States.Throughout the work; Cogliano rejects previous interpretations of Jefferson’s action; which are seen through the idealist or realist lenses and then presents his own nuanced views. Regarding the Embargo of 1807-09; the author agrees that this attempt to economically coerce Great Britain into altering the Orders in Council and end impressment was a failure. Where some argue the president was “blinded by his idealism or moralism;†what were Jefferson’s options Cogliano asks? The president could do nothing; go to war; or enact coercion. The first was not viable; the second was not feasible given the state of the American military; and the last many Republicans believed to be workable. The problem with economic coercion was that it was poorly formulated; it prevented American ships from sailing to England but did not prohibit British imports from entering the United States. Therefore; it was not rigidly enforced and smuggling was quite common.The author’s research is impressive and the book is well written. This is a good start on a study of the foreign policy of the Jefferson administration. Cogliano achieves his purpose in showing how Jefferson’s ideas were formed and grew over time; but I would have liked a more thorough examination of all the foreign policy issues facing Jefferson during his presidency.1 of 17 people found the following review helpful. Author gets a lot of details wrong; which calls ...By HistorianAuthor gets a lot of details wrong; which calls into question research methods; competency; etc.For example; his description of TJ's tenure as gov of VA has dates; facts; #'s just plain wrong.
