Travels Through Central Africa to Timbuctoo: Vol I

In the early decades of the nineteenth century European interest in Africa was reaching its height. Places such as Timbuctoo, seemingly as remote as the moon, were seen as vital links in the establishment of new trade routes to the African interior. In 1822 the Scottish explorer, Alexander Gordon Laing was successful in reaching Timbuctoo but was murdered by Arabs, a fate awaiting any discovered Christian, infidel or traveller.In 1826 the Geographical Society of Paris offered a large prize for the first person to reach and successfully return from Timbuctoo. Rene Caillie, already familiar with trade in North Africa, accepted the challenge and embarked upon a hazardous year-long journey, reaching the mysterious desert kingdom in April 1828. On...