Born a poor Glasgow cotton-mill worker, David grew up to become a great explorer and hero of his time.

This is his incredible story. The tough man of Victorian Britain would stop at nothing in his determination to be the first white man to explore Africa, even if it meant dragging his wife and children along with him.

He trekked hundreds of miles through dangerous territory, braving terrible illness and pain, and was attacked by cannibals, rampaging lions and killer ants...

Short Books is re-releasing some of its finest writing as a newly designed series of six children's biographies called The Great Victorians.

These are entertaining and engaging stories of some of history's most fascinating characters. They tell history in a novelistic, engaging way, a halfway house between storybooks and traditional history. There is abundant humour and drama too.

With beautifully designed covers these books will catch the eyes of parents as well as children. Also published in a highly collectable set.