Describes the 1849 journey by Heinrich Barth into the unexplored Islamic regions of North and Central Africa, detailing the discoveries he made as he traveled 10,000 miles over five years, lost most of his companions, and finally arrived at Timbuktu.

Preparations -- Invitation to Africa -- At the edge of the desert -- First steps -- Stalled in Murzuk -- The palace of demons -- To Aïr -- Plundered -- Days and nights in Tintellust -- Desert port -- Separate ways -- "The celebrated emporium of Negroland" -- An ending -- The kingdom of Bornu -- A mystery solved -- "The horde of the Welad Sliman" -- Razzia -- Captive in Bagirmi -- Letters from home -- Resurrection and death -- Westward -- The prospect of the Niger -- "Obstructed by nature and infested by man" -- Golden city -- In Timbuktu -- Stuck -- Released, more or less -- Rumors and consequences -- Getting out -- Problems at home -- Last journeys.