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Among Kings

The Amazing Adventures of the Congo's African American Livingstone and the Courageous People Who Toppled King Leopold II

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Among Kings

By: Joey O'Connor
Narrated by: Thomas Herron
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A black American missionary-explorer risks everything to save a nation, leading to the first international human rights trial.

Inspired by true events, Among Kings tells the inspiring story of William Sheppard, the first African American missionary to the Congo who rescues the entire nation enslaved by Belgian's ruthless King Leopold II. Traveling 1,000 miles up the Congo River with Samuel Lapsley, his white missionary companion, the two overcome deadly fevers, dangerous animals, and cannibal tribes. Sheppard becomes a famous explorer honored by kings, queens, and presidents. Armed with a camera, he exposes widespread Congo atrocities to the world.

When Sheppard speaks out against the atrocities to save the Congo nation, Leopold lashes back with a slander lawsuit, forcing the first international human rights trial between Belgium and America.

Among Kings is a riveting tale of courage, greed, enslavement, freedom, and justice.

©2020 Joey O'Connor (P)2023 Joey O'Connor African American Biographical Fiction Christian Fiction Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Africa Royalty Biography Inspiring
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I don't think the narrator has done this job before or perhaps didn't want the job. He was intent on reaching the end as quickly as possible, like a sprint to the finish line. A monotone delivery with the never ending cadence of calamity and despair and devastation with only a passing nod to any punctuation. The whole experience was awful. No emotion or candour, just a race to the end so it could be all over, a sentiment I too shared. It was as if he couldn't get the words out quickly enough. Difficult to tell how many mistakes there were but Mr Morrison changed to Mr Morris on more than one occasion and as many of the other characters had Congolese names, there's just no way to know. The absolute worst narration ever.

I was really looking forward to listening to this book and to understanding what happened during Leopold II's reign but I don't believe it was historically accurate. At any rate the author saw fit only to refer to the months of the year when things happened and not include the actual year. If I remember correctly much of the story would have taken place between the late 19th and early 20th century but to refer to a trial being held in September, simply doesn't help. I only persisted with this book because of its historical value but now I'm unsure if there was any historical value at all. There was no mention of an uprising nor of freeing the nation. Very disappointed.

The absolute worst narration ever.

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