The book's central theme is the contrast between the humanitarian motives of David Livingstone, and the profit-taking of King Leopold, and how the different players dealt with the conflict. The book addresses underlying motives and economics, without losing sight of the individuals whose personalities and actions drove much of the Scramble. It is also quite readable, and has been reprinted a number of times since its first appearance in 1990.
As of 2003, an Avon Books paperback edition is in print, ISBN 0380719991.