Explorers of the Nile

The Triumph and Tragedy of a Great Victorian Adventure

By: Tim Jeal

Narrated by: Clive Chafer

From award-winning author Tim Jeal comes a vivid examination of the six larger-than-life men and one extraordinary woman who set out to find the source of the White Nile in the 19th century.

©2011 Tim Jeal (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Jeal recounts each perilous expedition to unlock the secrets of the Nile watershed with an astonishing clarity and depth that brings to life the hazardous environs of equatorial Africa." ( Booklist)

Explorers of the Nile - Drama in Africa

Buy this book.

Story: Overall, it was an unique book. It showed three remarkable things: the character of the explorers and their backgrounds, the incredible organized chaos that was tribal Africa during this time, and the unique opportunities for these people versus the calm, stable Great Britain. At the end of the book, the discussion of the East Africa after the colonial period was not really relevant and open to debate. The exploration narrative was dramatic enough.

Reader: The reader was excellent and very easy to listen to in all his characters.

A Must Read for Anyone Interested in the History

Would you listen to Explorers of the Nile again? Why?

Yes, because it is so full of information.

What did you like best about this story?

The detail

Which character – as performed by Clive Chafer – was your favorite?

Can't pick all were great

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would if I had the time

Any additional comments?

A must if anyone wants to get a fuller picture of what happened in Africa.

Enjoyed this very much.

Very interesting account of the colonial history Africa, tying the discovery of the source of the Nile and colonialism with modern day events. Narration was a bit flat.

Thorough, but Burton Fans Beware

All in all a great history of the exploration of the Nile. I found this very interesting and I soon became used to the narrator’s voice, which at first called attention to itself.
My only criticism, and for me it’s a big one, is the author’s clear bias against Sir Richard Burton. I think his treatment of other explorers is fairly even handed but it feels to me as if the author wanted to stand out from other bios on Burton by blatantly bashing him all along the way. I think this is unfair, and a I’ll confess that I am a great fan of Burton, because all of these explorers had done and wrote things that would be extremely frowned-upon now some 175 years later. I freely admit that Burton’s views and conduct at times define him as someone that I wouldn’t really want to hang out with for long. I’m a very different kind of person. But those traits stood well in his culture and time in the mid 19th century. I stand in awe of the man because of all that he accomplished and what he had the courage to do. I can remove myself from the equation of weighing the man’s soul against my own, something this author seems to not be able to do.

Have not been able to bring myself to finish

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narrator! His voice is very clear, but so monotone that he could be reading the phone book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The river itself. It's dangerous and beautiful and mysterious.

Would you be willing to try another one of Clive Chafer’s performances?

I'm pretty sure I will not. I think he could be a good narrator, but he needs to loosen up quite a bit.

Could you see Explorers of the Nile being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Yes, the story actually is fascinating. I have no idea who would be starring. I am not a casting agent. I'm just reviewing an audiobook.

Any additional comments?

I would actually buy this book again if I could find a version with another narrator.