First off, this is probably the first “history” book that I enjoy reading. In the first chapter, I liked how the book described both sides of the story of when the Europeans came to the Congo. I thought it was very interesting that the Africans saw the Europeans as “vumbi” and that they came up with all these myths about what the Europeans did, like getting clothing from a hole in the middle of the ocean and paying with dead bodies. I also found it very interesting that no one could find the source of the Congo River and that people have attempted, but never have been able to really find it. I liked the last sentence in the prologue too, how they described Africa as “the Dark Continent” because Europeans saw Africa as blank and empty and ready to be explored. I don't really understand the significance yet about Stanley, but I know he is important. I like getting to know the background of him and how he grew into who he is before I learn more about his life. Also, I found it funny that people who discovered land or were explorers were like “celebrity figures” and heroes.
Why did people who were African explorers considered “celebrities”?
Why do you think Africans reacted the way they did to the Europeans?
