{"product_id":"among-kings-the-amazing-adventures-of-the-congos-african-american-livingstone-and-the-courageous-people-who-toppled-king-leopold-paperback","title":"Among Kings: The Amazing Adventures of the Congo's African American Livingstone and the Courageous People who Toppled King Leopold - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eJoey O'Connor\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eAn African American missionary-explorer risks everything to save a nation, leading to the first international human rights trial.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eInspired by true events, discover the inspiring story of a forgotten African American hero whose passion for human rights helped free an enslaved nation.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs a young boy growing up in post-Civil War Virginia, William Sheppard knew he wanted to explore the world. What he never expected was becoming a human rights hero who would change the world forever.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"I didn't call Africa. Africa called me.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut as a black American missionary, he faced heartbreaking prejudice in pursuing his passion to explore and to serve.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen he finally arrives in the Congo with his unlikely white missionary colleague - Samuel Lapsley - a deep interracial friendship emerges as they face hardships establishing their mission. The two venture deep into the dangerous, Belgian-controlled Congo ruled by the evil King Leopold II. Traveling by steamship 1,000 miles up the Congo River, these two novice missionaries battle lurking pythons, rampant disease, and cannibal tribes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen tragedy strikes the mission, Sheppard's sadness drives him in search of adventure to overcome his grief, discover new kingdoms, and ultimately, his true self. Against all odds, his discoveries bring him global fame where he is celebrated among kings, queens, and presidents.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDespite his accomplishments, Sheppard longs to return to America to marry his fianc?e - Lucy Gantt - a talented musician and teacher. Letters keep their love alive, but Sheppard has to know if the distance has made their love stronger and will she still go to the Congo to serve beside him?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen he returns to America, he's shocked by new Jim Crow laws, virulent racism, and the rising oppression of black American civil rights. The world has changed, but for Sheppard, his relationship with Lucy and his notoriety has only grown stronger.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eReturning to the Congo mission with Lucy, the stakes are raised when Sheppard makes a shocking discovery: Leopold has enslaved the entire Congo for the rubber trade and his own profit. Unbeknownst to the outside world, slavery and oppression have fallen like darkness over the Congo. Millions have perished.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eArmed with only a simple camera, the courageous Sheppard knows he has to act.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRisking everything, he captures photos, and his images expose Leopold's atrocities to the world, forcing the first international human rights trial in modern history. Sheppard faces an epic courtroom battle. Millions of lives are at stake.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWho will win? The monarch or the missionary?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAmong Kings includes historical photos, Author's Note, Book Club Leader's Guide Questions, and references.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 438\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.19 x 9 x 6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e August 14, 2024\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42218784751751,"sku":"9780983023050","price":26.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0601\/2623\/2711\/files\/46aa91bbc1eb964fd433294753f8fd5d.webp?v=1735116673","url":"https:\/\/booksby.splitshops.com\/products\/among-kings-the-amazing-adventures-of-the-congos-african-american-livingstone-and-the-courageous-people-who-toppled-king-leopold-paperback","provider":"Books by splitShops","version":"1.0","type":"link"}