18 Comments

Hollywood needs this story!

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Fascinating - and beautifully told. Raises a million questions - was the exploration as much her project and interest as his, or not? How did she like England? What did she do with her days in England? Thanks for introducing me to another interesting set of people!

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I think she turned into a gracious stepmother to four girls, possibly as daunting as trying to find the source of the Nile, and a Lady of the manor in Devon. It's certainly a journey!

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That¡s a relief to hear, assuming it's what she wanted! What a remarkable story — I kept thinking about both of them, and in fact everyone you mentioned (Macmillan, the brothers) — yesterday.

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Such a fascinating period of history! I read Candace Millard’s River of the Gods several years ago, but its focus is on Burton and Speke. Delighted to be introduced to Lady Baker!

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What a great story! And in the end he gave her the public acclaim she deserved, so a happy ending as well!

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What an incredible life story this is?!

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A lovely book about Florence Baker is The Stolen Woman by Pat Shipman

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I did not know that, thank you!

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Oh, how I love those old travel journals! I'd never heard this story. Thanks for sharing it with us!

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So interesting. I am curious about Lady Baker - were there children? What did she do with the rest of her life? Was she accepted by his children? And I am intrigued by their 'Devon estate'. I'm going to have to find it. Do you know where it was?

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She was still living with one of her stepdaughters at the time of her death in 1916...so I hope they liked each other!

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The house was Sandford Orleigh, purchased in 1874.

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thank you!

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This is truly incredible and fascinating. The blend of historical depth and personal insight offers a captivating and educational read, bringing the complexities of this lesser-known figure to life brilliantly. Thank you.

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Amazing story! This needs to be a feature length film or series!

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She sounds just the sort of woman you’d want with you in a life and death situation! What a courageous person she was!

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What a tremendous story! Amazing woman 💫

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