Mungo Park, West African Explorer by Mark Duffill  Published in the UK by NMS Publishing of Edinburgh. ISBN 1 901663 15 9 This book is one in a series of books about Scottish people which is called  Scot's Lives.  Published in 1999. 144 pages  Price £6.99.

Mark Duffil's book is an addition to those already in existence about Mungo Park, and might appeal to people interested in the history of West Africa.  About 10 of the 144 pages refer to The Gambia.  

Mungo Park, born in 1771, trained as a doctor and surgeon.  He was very interested in exploration and wildlife.  He made one expedition to Sumatra and two better known expeditions to West Africa in 1795 - 97 and 1805 - 06 and he was drowned there at the age of 35, in the year 1806.  

This book includes a few excerpts from Travels in the Interior Districts of Africa, Mungo Park's own book published in 1799, including 7 pages of Park's description of the Mandingo.  

Written for general reading, in level it is suitable for Senior Secondary Schools.
                                                                                                  Mike Carrick (near Birmingham, UK).