Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa by David Livingstone - 1857

London - John Murray, 1857 Book. Very Good. Hardcover. First edition.. A first edition of one of the most famous exploration books in history, by the medical missionary and explorer, David Livingstone. Secondimpression with eight pages of the original publishers' advertisements dated November 1st 1857. Complete with twenty-seven plates,four of which are folding, and two maps- one that is tucked into a compartment to the rear pastedown. Perhaps one of the most popular national heroes of the late 19th century in Victorian Britain, Livingstone had a mythic status, which operated on a number of interconnected levels: that of Protestant missionary martyr, that of working-class rags to riches inspirational story, that of scientific investigator and explorer, that of imperial reformer, anti-slavery crusader, and advocate of commercial empire. The title, Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa, evokes earlier accounts of southern Africa, notably by Philip and Moffat, but Livingstone's book stands out from these by reason of its intellectual breadth. . . When he came to write his book, he enriched a stirring narrative, told in conversational style, with insights acquired by informed eyes and ears, as well as with shafts of caustic humour -DNB. Condition: Rebacked in a cloth binding with gilt lettering to the spine. Externally, light rubbing to extremities and small marks to the front board. Internally, firmly bound and bright with instances of light spotting throughout. Copperplate ink signature to the title page. Overall: VERY GOOD..