The White Nile by Alan Moorehead 1960

A wonderful, well-researched compendium of the exploration of the Nile, featuring the most amazing cast of characters: Burton, Baker, Speke, Livingstone, Stanley, Gordon, Emin Pasha and assorted kings, Mahdi, Musselman, and tyrants. It is written in a fair, restrained but opinionated style I find refreshing. Confident but free of cant. Unafraid of religion and aware of its power but not captive to it. While deftly understated, the rigors of jungle, desert, and disease are clear and one is in awe of these extraordinary men (and occasionally women - especially Mrs. Baker).