03 July 2015, 16:24
drongoThe Rediscovered Country
I just finished reading The Rediscovered Country by Stewart Edward White (Doubleday, 1925, on Kindle for $1.99). It is the chronicle of White's (1873-1946) exploration safari with R.J. Cunninghame in 1913 to the northwest corner of the then German East Africa. They set off with 50 porters, go through about 40 donkeys (most of which die from Nagana) and cover amazing distances on foot in virgin territory. White, like TR, mostly used a sporterized Springfield .30-06, a .405 Winchester and a H&H .465 NE. His tales of shooting game at long range with open sights are fascinating, although I question his accuracy in citing the ranges game is shot at. The best part of the book is at the end. After the safari he takes a short trip to Mt Kenya to hunt elephant. It is one of the best elephant hunts I have ever read.
White's writing is very good. He gives the game shot, miles covered and morning, noon and evening temperatures. It is very readable and a great bargain at $1.99. A long glimpse at the kind of safari we can have only in our dreams.
03 July 2015, 16:54
Heym 450/400Sounds like a good read.. Thanks