On January 12, Tim Jeal received a nomination from the National Book Critics Circle for their annual award. Jeal’s recent book, Stanley: The Impossible Life of Africa’s Greatest Explorer, was one of 5 biographies from 2007 named as finalist. Winners will be announced on March 6, 2008.

Henry Morton Stanley, so the tale goes, was a cruel imperialist who connived with King Leopold II of Belgium in horrific crimes against the people of the Congo. He also conducted the most legendary celebrity interview in history, opening with, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”

But these perceptions are not quite true, Tim Jeal shows in this grand and colorful biography. With unprecedented access to previously closed Stanley family archives, Jeal reveals the amazing extent to which Stanley’s public career and intimate life have been misunderstood and undervalued. Jeal recovers the reality of Stanley’s life—a life of almost impossible extremes—in this moving story of tragedy, adventure, disappointment, and success.

Founded in 1974, the National Book Critics Circle is a non-profit organization consisting of nearly 700 active book reviewers. Read more about the National Book Critics Circle or about their award.