Gentlemen and Ladies,

I have 3 people this year that have listed their want for books on African Safaris and the wild life of Africa as Christmas wishes. So knowing that you will all be knowledgeable on the subject, could I get some suggestions from you, and maybe the reasonings for your choices ? All help will be appreciated.

Lynn D

I think not speaking of Hemingway, Ruark and Capstick.

"Pondoro - Last of the Ivory hunters" by John Taylor would be a good idea for them. J.A. Hunters books are good reading. Another interesting book is "Buffalo, Elephant & Bongo" by Reinald von Meurers. And "Mahohboh" by Ron Thompson is worth reading if they are interested in elephant.



Erik

take a looksee at safari press - they have lots - some are high priced and some are not. if not interested in historical books craig bottingtons books read well

Depends if the person is a potential hunter. If so I�d recommend African Hunter II by Boddington and Falck (Safari Press/Rowland Wards, gives a good current picture of African hunting) or Mellons African Hunter (if the person is interested in what it was like in the 70�s).

Otherwise you can�t go wrong with any of the above mentioned, Green Hills of Africa is a great starter.

Lynn D,

For potential safari goers I would recommend as CEWE did African Hunter II. Craig Boddington also has 2-3 books out that would be very helpful for planning. If the folks on your list are more interested the early days of modern safari Ruark's books such as "Use Enough Gun" would be good choices.

Regards,

Mark

These are some of the better books I've read about Africa and hunting in Africa.

1. African Hunter-James Mellon: A little dated, but a great survey of hunting 40years ago.

2. The Perfect Shot-Robertson: Great book on hunting; where to shoot; and what to shoot. Everyone needs it in their library.

3. Aagard's Africa-Finn Aagard: Perhaps the best book on Africa and hunting in Africa. If Aagard says it, you can take it to the bank.

4. Shoot Straight and Stay Alive-Bartlett: Similar to Aagard's book. Terrific memoir.

5. Horned Death-Burger
6. African Adventures-Burger

7. African Adventurers-Capstick; one of his lessor known books, but one of the best. Lot's of stories about interesting people.

8. Use Enough Gun-Ruark
9. Something of Value-Ruark

10. Cry, the Beloved Country-Paton: Older book, but my current read.

LynnD

Should your friend speak french (no miracle in Quebec)I can recommand a couple of absolute best sellers :

- KOTA DOLI Gilles Tre-Hardy
- Nouvelles de Brousse ACP (Association of Professionnal Hunters)
- Grandes chasses crepusculaires Dr Jacques Vettier

All available at Editions Montbel

Lynn,

Have a look at our Books Of Interest Forum on this site, there are lots of very interesting books on African hunting recommended there.

Thank you gentlemen for the great suggestions, in total I have as of this minute purchased 9 of the recommended books.

Thanks to Saeed also for the suggestion which has lead me to the possiblitly of acquiring a few books for my own personal christmas pleasure.

Lynn

Lynn,

This is a little different but to me it feels of Africa... Where Elephants Go to Die... It is a book of poetry of life and death in Africa....

regards,

Mike Podwika

In addition to those mentioned prior, I highly recommend "White Hunters - The Golden Age of African Safaris" by Brian Herne. I have read and own most of the books that have be recommended, and from a historical/story telling perspective this is far and away my favorite. I have purchased 5 copies for Christmas gifts and have 5 more on order!