Response to Pages 1-32

Questions:
Of the reasons Europeans went into Africa, which was the most important?

How did Stanley's childhood effect his work later in his life? 

For me the first 32 pages were kind of a disappointment.  I was expecting information on King Leopold and was sort of things happened in the Congo during his reign.  Instead, the introduction, prologue, and first chapter all served as possible set up.  Even though the information presented in those first few sections might be relevant, it was not what I thought the story would be.  Even though Stanley as a person is very interesting, I myself did not find him to be as connected as I would have preconceived.  I would have anticipated something concerning an almost physical struggle with Leopold or something of that nature, but it is what it is.  And I have to applaud Stanley for what he had done.  His mother bringing shame to him, while he makes something of himself in great magnitude.  Wonderful