The race for Timbuktu : in search of Africa's city of gold

This book is a dramatic true adventure. It is the first book-length account of Laing's expedition. It appeals to readers of travel, exploration, and adventure writing and was extracted in the travel section of national newspaper eg "FT". This is the incredible true story of Alexander Gordon Laing and the race to discover Timbuktu during the early part of the 19th century - a time when the African continent was still largely uncharted. In the first decades of 19th century, no place burned more brightly in the imagination of European geographers and fortune hunters, than the lost city of Timbuktu. Like the mythical city of El Dorado, the very real Timbuktu held the promise of wealth and fame. Whoever got there first was guaranteed worldwide renown. Yet, though many had tried, no European explorer had been there and returned since the Middle Ages. In 1824, the French Geographical Society offered a cash prize for the first expedition from any nation to return from Timbuktu. The British, unwilling to depend on the fate of one explorer, sent several "African travelers" on their way. "The Race for Timbuktu" focuses on two of these men: Alexander Gordon Laing, the book's protagonist and "voice," and Hugh Clapperton, the man who would become his greatest rival. The book follows Laing and Clapperton on their arduous journeys across the unforgiving Sahara, in constant battle against the elements, illness, attack, and time, to be the first white man to reach the fabled gates of Timbuktu. The story of their expeditions also serves as a narrative history of the European colonization of Africa, the "Great Scramble" that resulted in nearly every square yard of Africa occupied by European nations. "The Race for Timbuktu" offers a close personal look at the extraordinary people and pivotal events of 19th century African exploration that changed the course of history and the shape of the modern world. In The First Decades Of The Nineteenth Century, No Place Burned More Brightly In The Imagination Of European Geographers - And Fortune Hunters - Than The Lost City Of Timbuktu. Africa's Legendary City Of Gold, Not Visited By Europeans Since The Middle Ages, Held The Promise Of Wealth And Fame For The First Explorer To Make It There. In 1824, The French Geographical Society Offered A Cash Prize To The First Expedition From Any Nation To Visit Timbuktu And Return To Tell The Tale. Unwilling To Trust In The Slender Chances Of A Lone Explorer, The British Sent Several On Their Way. One Of The Contenders Was Major Alexander Gordon Laing, A Thirty-year-old Army Officer. Handsome And Confident, Laing Was Convinced That Timbuktu Was His Destiny, And His Ticket To Glory. In July 1825, After A Whirlwind Romance With Emma Warrington, Daughter Of The British Consul At Tripoli, Laing Left The Mediterranean Coast To Cross The Sahara. His 2,000-mile Journey Took On An Added Urgency When Hugh Clapperton, A More Experienced Explorer, Set Out To Beat Him. Apprised Of Each Other's Mission By Overseers In London Who Hoped The Two Would Cooperate, Clapperton Instead Became Laing's Rival, Spurring Him On Across A Hostile Wilderness. Drawing On Laing's Dynamic Correspondence, Including Passionate Letters To His Beloved Emma And Gossip-laden Official Reports, The Race For Timbuktu Follows Laing's Arduous Trek Across An Unforgiving Sahara, Battling Unpredictable Elements, Crippling Illness, Vicious Attacks - And The Clock - To Be The First White Man In Centuries To Reach The Gates Of Timbuktu. In Bringing Laing's Dramatic Story To Life, Frank T. Kryza Also Provides A Narrative History Of The First Phase Of The Colonization Of Africa, Which In Less Than A Century Would See Nearly Every Square Mile Of The Continent Occupied By The Nations Of Europe. The Race For Timbuktu Offers A Close, Personal Look At The Extraordinary People And Pivotal Events Of Nineteenth-century African Exploration That Changed The Course Of History And The Shape Of The Modern World.--jacket. A Scotsman At Tripoli -- The African Association -- A Wedding In The English Garden -- White Man's Grave -- The African Traveler -- The Tripoli Route -- Hugh Clapperton -- The Journey To Bornu -- Undiscovered Empires -- The Race Begins -- Over The Rim Of The World -- Clapperton Catches Up -- The Ivory Miniature -- The Widow Zuma -- Treachery In The Tanexrouft -- Troubles For Captain Clapperton -- The City Of Legend -- The Long Silence -- The Lost Papers -- The Mystery Solved. Frank T. Kryza. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [305]-308) And Index. In the first decades of the nineteenth century, no place burned more brightly in the imagination of European geographers––and fortune hunters––than the lost city of Timbuktu. Africa's legendary City of Gold, not visited by Europeans since the Middle Ages, held the promise of wealth and fame for the first explorer to make it there. In 1824, the French Geographical Society offered a cash prize to the first expedition from any nation to visit Timbuktu and return to tell the tale. One of the contenders was Major Alexander Gordon Laing, a thirty–year–old army officer. Handsome and confident, Laing was convinced that Timbuktu was his destiny, and his ticket to glory. In July 1825, after a whirlwind romance with Emma Warrington, daughter of the British consul at Tripoli, Laing left the Mediterranean coast to cross the Sahara. His 2,000–mile journey took on an added urgency when Hugh Clapperton, a more experienced explorer, set out to beat him. Apprised of each other's mission by overseers in London who hoped the two would cooperate, Clapperton instead became Laing's rival, spurring him on across a hostile wilderness. An emotionally charged, action–packed, utterly gripping read, The Race for Timbuktu offers a close, personal look at the extraordinary people and pivotal events of nineteenth–century African exploration that changed the course of history and the shape of the modern world. Chronicles the true story of Major Alexander Gordon Laing and the race to discover Timbuktu during the early part of the nineteenth century, an era when the African continent was still largely uncharted.