My vote goes to John Taylor...

His books "Pondoro" and "Maneaters and Marauders" are classics that I never tire of reading over and over.

His level of experience was simply enormous and his expertise/knowledge becomes obvious as you read.

Of the contemporary authors of today my vote goes to PHC and our brother AR member Craig Boddington for fun and exciting reading.

Well, based on this thread, I just bought a used copy of "Where Lions Roar" from Amazon. Thanks for the input. "Mahohboh" and "Months in the Sun" will be next.

My choices are both by Major H C Maydon. Big Game Shooting in Africa which was the inspiration for James Mellon. The second is Simen Its Heights and Abysses about his hunt for Walia Ibex in what is now known as Ethiopa.
Mark

Ruark's "Horn of the Hunter" is definitely the best "first safari" book--but I think his "Something of Value" is the best book ever written about Africa. A "must-read" for anyone who has missed it. Am surprised to see no votes for J.A. Hunter. I think "Hunter" remains one of the very best . . . and "Wanderings Of An Elephant Hunter" (Bell) is right up there!

Craig,

I put my vote in earlier for Hunter's White Hunter. What a fantastic chronology of the birth and evolution of the safari industry!!!! One of the MOST enjoyable books I have ever read.

I break them into two categories. The "classics" which have been covered thoroughly here. I would add, Elephant(David E. Blunt). Then a more contempory group in the "new" Africa. James Mellon,we can't comphrehend how much time he spent hunting. Elgin Gates accounts, C. Boddington a huge contribution, Terry Irwin, Andrew Holmberg(huge elephant) just to name a few. Others?

Another great book that I have not seen mentioned yet is Geoff Broom's (along with the General) "A Life on Safari". Another must read. Interesting that Geoff was the one to introduce Capstick to Africa. Highly recommend!!!

A few that haven't been mentioned that I really enjoyed are Terry Weiland's "Spiral Horn Dreams" and Boddington's "Search For the Spiral Horn".

A book not exclusively about Africa, but has great chapters about hunting in Africa is Jack Atcheson's "Hunting Adventures Worldwide".

Yesterday I received three books from Safari Press.
"Solo Safari", by T. Cacek, "African Experience", by C. Boddington and "African Hunter II", by C. Boddington and P. Flack (Eds).

I haven`t read to many safari books, but so far my favourites are C. Boddington and P. Flack. And the new "African Hunter II" sets the standard. WHAT A GREAT BOOK!!!!!

Theese guys combines good stories with hard facts. You have fun and learn a lot at the same time.

Anders, you would want to read Peter Flacks two book I mentioned above.

I bought both books last year. Gave one of them to my brother as a gift, but kept "Tales of a trophy...", to myself. It`s great.
I need to pay my brother a visit and steal that other one back!

Who sells "Months of the Sun"?? Neither Amazon nor Safari Press seem to list that one??

- mike

I'll have to go with Death in the Long Grass for pure entertainment. I love it and can read it over and over.

Oh and I should have about 400 posts but got cut off with the new website. Just FYI
Doug

I gave my father-in-law Ruark's "Something of Value" for Christmas. When I talked to him later, he said he had just finished it and was busy washing the blood from his shirt that sprayed on him while reading it. It truely is a classic and gives one a window into what can happen in Africa. It is my all time favorite book.

Craig
I have to agree with you on Hunter even though I listed the 2 Maydon books. While I first got interested in guns looking at my grandfathers old Cashmore shotgun, my interest in hunting came from reading the Readers Digest condensed Hunter and Jim Corbetts Man-eaters of Kumaon. This ages me as this was the 50's if I remember correctly.
Mark

Used and hard to find titles can be found at alibris.com

DC300

quote:

Originally posted by eric 98:
.....<snip>......
By the way, what's a good source for used books on the web?

Another good source is:
http://www.abebooks.com/

I've purchased many books from/through ABE and I've always been statisfied and never had a problem. I even purchased a first edition copy (1910) of African Game Trails by Theodore Roosevelt through ABE and the book's condition was exactly as described by the seller.

-Bob F.

Taylor is sort of fun to read to listen to his opinions, but James Mellon's African Hunter collection is the best, especially his own writing. I was definitely impressed with his going looking for sitatunga with nothing but a pocket full of money and a set of cojones.

His photos and stories from Abyssinia are also first-rate.

Prompted by Mellon's foreword, I also searched out Major Maydon's book. AFII by Boddington is really the third in the series. I haven't bought it yet.

My vote for my own "Top Five":

1. James Mellon's "African Hunter"
A complete tome on African hunting in countries and for species most of us will never get to hunt.

2. Robert Ruark's "Horn of the Hunter"
On many of our lists for good reason. The Safari Press reprint was responsible for getting me to Africa and I love Ruark's witty and clever writing.

3. Peter Capstick's "Death in the Long Grass"
One of the most captivating books on the African hunting ever. Who can put down a book where the chapter begins..."The man who was about to die..." Great reading!

4. Andrew Holmberg's "Out in Africa"
Old East Africa at it's finest. This guy was the real deal and killed or led clients to a ton of 100 pound elephant. Hell, Karen Blixen was his godmother!

5. Ian Nyschen's "Months of the Sun"
For anyone who wants to know what it was like to hunt the old Rhodesia and Mocambique here it is, poaching or otherwise. Required reading for those hunting in the Zambezi Valley for historical reference.

Honorable mentions: Terry Irwin's "Memories of an African Hunter", Brian Nicholson's "The Last of Old Africa", Sten Cedergren's "A Vagabond Hunter", Gerard Miller's "Lives of A Professional Hunting Family" , most of Boddington's African work and everything EVER written on Africa by Ruark!

mho,
I have my copy of Nyschen's "Months of the Sun' as a loaner from a friend, he told me correct or not, that when he purchased it from Safari Press several years ago that it was indeed going out of print. I wouldn't have the foggiest idea where to try & locate it.
Mike

found one used - but at $199.95, I think I'll pass... Too bad, sounds like a great book, but that is a bit steep. 200$ will buy me 4-5 new titles.
- mike

Just finished J.H. Pattersons "Man eaters of Tsavo". Great book, I read it in 1 day (was stuck in bed with a cold). In addition to hunting the man eaters, he also talks a ton about shooting plains game and other lions as well.

So somebody else was inspired by John Hunter's excerpt in the Reader's Digest Condensed book. I must have read this hundred's of times as a kid, and I think this book and illustration more than anything else planted the seed of an african hunt. Any other 'fifty somethings' recognize this illustration from 'Hunter'? bob

A couple more not mentioned already

"Kambaku" by Harry Manners
- Professional ivory hunting in Mozambique

"Rogues and Marauders" by John Dawkins
- An Australian elephant and ivory hunter in Tanzania. He also hunted a fair bit with John Taylor.

I'd also vote for Peter Flacks books.

Aagaards Africa by Finn Aagaard is great also.

From Mt. Kenya to the Cape is a winner too.

Isn't about time for Craig to turn out another ten year book?

quote:

Originally posted by eric 98:
The Rediscovered Country by Stewart Edward White. His account of a safari led by Cunningham into unknown territory pre WWI.

By the way, what's a good source for used books on the web?

_____________

Try Alibris.

JA Hunter and Corbett leave the rest for dead-but Ron Thomson's Mahoboh is the exception.It has to be the greatest modern hunting read around.
On a slightly different tack "Ballistics in Perspective" by La Grange is also a must read.
He culled 6000 elephant and he really does speak with authority.

All time best safari book for me is Ruark's Horn of the Hunter. Close second is Burger's Horned Death. Nothing I've read compares to those two. Well, maybe Hunter by Hunter...and Mellon's African Hunter...

quote:

Originally posted by breezy:
All time best safari book for me is Ruark's Horn of the Hunter. Close second is Burger's Horned Death. Nothing I've read compares to those two. Well, maybe Hunter by Hunter...and Mellon's African Hunter...

One Word.........RON THOMSON.

#1 MAHOHBAH

#2 GOD CREATED MAN THE HUNTER

#3 STAND YOUR GROUND

#4 IN THE SHADOW OF NYAMINYAMI

#5 BLACK RHINO

Now.......these suckers are not cheap! About $120.00 each to get them here from S.A.
Worth the $$ at twice the price. If you have been there and have any experience.

I have ALL the others you guys have mentioned. IF you like Dangerous Game and know Zim. These books are the best. IMHO.

Go Ahead.....just get Mahohbah.....you will find out! It will be just like trying to go to Africa only once! Ha Ha

quote:

Originally posted by breezy:
All time best safari book for me is Ruark's Horn of the Hunter. Close second is Burger's Horned Death. Nothing I've read compares to those two. Well, maybe Hunter by Hunter...and Mellon's African Hunter...

I dont know why some people like this book.It was one of the books I could not find interesting enough to finish.

doesb't anybody else like ron thompson

I have all of Ron's books. He has a very nice writing style and his books are easy and enjoyable to read . . . as well as informative. Yes, I like everything about Ron's books other than the price.

Use Enough Gun by Robert Ruark

Pure safari, "Horn Of The Hunter" RUARK
Novel, "Something Of Value' Ruark

Dave, you sure you read those books? Neither are picture books.

quote:

Originally posted by CFA:
mark65x55

It may be hard to find now, but Hallamore's book "Chui" is a great technical book on hunting leopard.

CFA

+1 on "Chui" - "Into the Thorns" by Wayne Grant is another great one on leopard hunting. It is also interwoven with some Zimbabwe history which makes for a very interesting read.

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
doesb't anybody else like Ron Thomson

His books are in good company here.

I like Fulson's choices as well. (In addition to my first choice) I have read them all, and have seen the movie re: Something of Value.

I am surprised nobody has mentioned Along the Hunters Path by Kai-Uwe Denker.