
From childhood the author was drawn to the legends of explorers and the bold ambitions of colonial pioneers, a fascination that only deepened after serving alongside General Smuts during the Great War. Seeking escape from the turmoil of post‑war Europe, he set out for the continent that had long haunted his imagination, hoping to capture its vastness without enduring its hardships firsthand. The opening pages already hint at a journey that intertwines personal reflection with a keen eye for the political currents shaping the region.
The narrative weaves vivid portraits of African scenery—from the thunderous roar of Victoria Falls to the quiet rhythms of native markets along the Congo. Along the way, the writer meets influential figures such as Cecil Rhodes and the newly risen statesman Smuts, offering insightful commentary on the economic and diplomatic struggles that follow the war. Readers are invited to glimpse a continent at a crossroads, where natural splendor and the ambitions of empire collide.
Language
en
Duration
~7 hours (446K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Mark C. Orton, Júlio Reis, Linda McKeown and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2008-05-23
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1876–1961
A globe-trotting American journalist and popular nonfiction writer, he turned business, politics, and world events into vivid stories for a wide readership. His career moved from major magazines to books that captured industry, war, and fast-changing international affairs.
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