Comments on: Lessons in Manliness: Sir Richard Francis Burton

By: j davis

j davis — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:05:02 +0000

There is an excellent novel that follows Burton’s life with historical accuracy–’Death Rides a Camel’ by Allen Edwardes. It is somewhat rare but many libraries should have a copy. It’d pretty graphic and not for the squeamish or prudish!

By: Abdi

Abdi — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 06:24:52 +0000

Fine comments. Please correct the sentence which says that while in Harar and after he was attacked he was wondering in the beach. There is no beach in Harar? or do you want us to understand there was a beach made for him and for that occasion. Don’t be carried away by the stories you hear !!!

By: Sam

Sam — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:44:40 +0000

Great article! I recommend to anyone who is a fan of Burton or Victorian explorers in general to read “Into Africa: The Epic Adventures of Stanley & Livingston.” It’s one of the most interesting books I’ve ever read and is what jump-started my love of adventurers…great descriptive detail and does a remarkable job at informing the reader on what was going on throughout the world at the time, giving you a good grasp of the era.

By: Someguy

Someguy — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 06:09:50 +0000

In reference to # 17, it may be best to learn more about the man before casting stones. For his time he was rather incendiary. He was thought of as a heathen lacking morals by a great deal of Victorian society given his lack of sexual inhibitions and was frequently vocal about that subject. In that time it was widely believed that women didn’t enjoy sex! To which Burton cried BS. He also changed religions a few times, and for a Christian in Europe to become something other than was nearly unheard of. In fact he was frequently talked about behind his back in the military and in polite English society for his fraternization with indigenous cultures. We’re talking serious racial slurs and what not. As in that ***** Burton. Insert “n” word there. Sure he was a bigot, but it was the 1800′s! Remember the whole American Civil War thing? He was around 23 when it started. This was a man of his times. But an extraordinary one.

By: jeremy

jeremy — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:17:58 +0000

Burton was a great man and all the books about him I have read have been fantastic. the comment number 17 (the one this one) is the ignorant. Obviously the person has not read anything about Burton (probably not even the article above). Burton is a true character and is a very good start for learning of the lives of Livingstone and Stanley.