Definitive Biography of Fascinating Man My interest in Richard Francis Burton arose from my encounter with "The Book of 1,000 Nights and One Night" otherwise known as "The Arabian Nights". I wanted to learn more about the man who had done one of the several translations of this enormous and wonderful collection of stories into English.
While this is the only biography about Richard Burton that I have read, I get the sense from having read it and from other reviews that it is now the definitive biography about him. The reason for this is that Edward Rice comprehensively covers the adventures but also the intellectual and spiritual development and accomplishments of his subject, all of which were multitudinous. The man traveled all over the world and wrote over 40 books while doing so. And many of these books were long multi-volume works. And he did this in the 19th century without any modern technology. And that wasn't even all he accomplished. The man was truly amazing.
While this biography has an average rating of 4.5 stars, it is clear that some readers have not really liked the book. Some have complained about too many digressions and too much detail. I suspect that this is due to Rice's coverage of the intellectual and spiritual aspects of Burton's life beyond his more physical adventures. I don't mean this in a condescending way; but someone who had heard that Burton was a famous adventurer and explorer could easily view the other material as digressive. For my part, I found it all very interesting. I think the extra material makes Burton a more interesting person. It also gives you a sense of how different he was from his contemporaries. While other Europeans were also explorers, most remained intrinsically western during their adventures. In contrast, Burton embraced the cultural and spiritual beliefs of the peoples he encountered and gained a better understanding of them for it.
This is a huge book This is a very large book & not a light read. Sir Francis Burton is one of history's more interesting people but after reading this book I don't think he was someone that was easy to get along with. He was a brave & determined man & most people just wouldn't want to do the things he did. Also the things he did are incredible but the writing isn't as gripping as the things he did.
He Lived Life to the Fullest Richard Francis Burton was a very unique individual even when compared to the Victorian age when it seems Britain had an abundance of eccentric Englishman making world-shaking contributions for the benefit of their Empire or mankind. Burton had a knack for picking up other languages and dressing in native costume, so much so, that in a matter of months he could pass as a native. He exploited this gift throughout the Indian subcontinent and the Arabic speaking world. From an army to a Foreign Service diplomatic career, Burton did not spend his time idly. He led explorations in East and West Africa. Burton's name should be as famous as Stanley's or Livingston's except for happenstance. He explored various Arab speaking areas for the Royal Geographical Society and frequently passed himself off as a local by speaking Arabic fluently. He received Islamic religious training, enough to be the first or second Westerner to go on a pilgrimage to Mecca and obtain entrance into the Kabbkah. As an Author, his books of his exploits never sold well. The author of this book concludes because of the haphazard method of relating information to the reader. Burton was not good at organizing his expeditionary note, but they are full of curious facts that show his sharp scientific mind. The author of this book does an admirable job relating Burton's life to the reader. The book's quoting various diary entries and newspaper articles shows it was well researched, especially his turbulent public life. As Richard Francis Burton grew older he used his language skills to translate various books of Middle Eastern tales and poetry into English. He is perhaps best known for translating the classic A Thousand and One Nights.
This was a very rewarding book, This reader plans to read some of the books still in print by Richard Francis Burton.
A head above the rest - worthy of Burton I believe that I have read all of the Burton biographies - all of them available on Amazon, that is, except Rage to Live, which I am reading now. It started as a keen interest in the subject, and is now just a matter of completing the task. Rice's treatment not only seems to be very correct but is free from editorial. Many other authors feel the need to second-guess the history without the means to do so, or to make him a hero or a villain. For example, his pederastic forays in Hindustan are stated matter-of-factly, with the helpful insight that there is no suggestion he never went back to it. His portrayal of a certain negress royal harem slopping up banana beer, sow-like, on all fours as his own death sentence was imminent can only be called Burtonesque - complete with a lengthy quote from the master himself. If you can only read one, this is it.WELL WRITTEN AND WELL RESEARCHED Of the Burton biographies I have read, this is quite by far the best. The research is great, and for a history book, this is a true page turner. I found it fascintating, that while reading this work, I had to keep reminding myself that this guy, Sir Richard Burton, was a real person, and was not some figment of a writer's imagination. Richard Burton led a fascinating life during a fascinating time in our history. The author captures both the time and the man. I highly recommend you read this one, if at all interested in this man and his time and further recommend you add it to your library as you will probably want to give it more than one read.
