"When the Crocodile Ate the Sun" by Peter Godwin

A good read about what happens to a white family who stays in Zimbabwe between 2000 and 2006. Not a hunting book but it's fascinating for anyone who has been to Zim. You can order it from any library.

It is excellent and an eye opener.

I have read many books on Africa, (besides all of the hunting books) and I enjoy knowing the history and the politics as well. To me it makes hunting Africa, by understanding her and her people, that much more interesting and enriching. "Cry Zimbabwe" is another one to read.

I really liked that book and the other one, Mukiwa: A White Boy in Africa. I don't remember which is the first one but one is a sequel. I hope he writes the "next" one.

If you liked that book, which I certainly did, you will enjoy "The Shangaan Song" by AR's David Hulme.

A story of growing up in the Lowveld on the Ruware Ranch in the Chiredzi Conservancy.

I particularly enjoyed it as "LHowell" here on AR and I hunted that area in 2007 with Buffalo Range Safaris. It certainly was not the same as when David and his family lived there. It must have been some place back then. No squatters, no "war vets", low or no levels of poaching with game everywhere, lush ranches, etc.

RCG

quote:

I really liked that book and the other one, Mukiwa: A White Boy in Africa

+1

But the people in Zim that I talked to were not too silly about Peter Godwin, seems ( at least what I was told ) that he's gotten kinda preachy about the satellite tv and generators. All the while living in New York.

While I enjoyed very much reading Peter Godwins "Crocodile" . It is brutally frank and detailed.

As I warned RCG, it may make you sad. But I'm am very glad I read it!

I recommend it highly!

Les

I've read both the Crocodile and Mukiwa. Mukiwa I picked up in the Jo'berg airport. I just finished "The Last Resort", by Douglas Rogers that just came out. Borders had it. Again, a non-hunting book, but a very good read about Zim. I admired that in his afterward, he still encourages people to come to Zim. I thought it was particularly good about showing different real people's connection to Zim and also, some of their relationships to South Africa. Also his presentation of the war I thought was quite good, although I seriously doubt my Zim PH (who fought in the war while I was chasing girls and didn't have a clue where Rhodesia was) would concur.

Sounds like a fascintating read, going to order from Amazon tonight.

Read it a while back and highly recommend it. Don't know anything about the author being "unpopular" but I take him at is word and am saddened by all that happens to Zim.

Jeff

I liked "Mukiwa" but have yet to read Crocodile.

I would recommend Scribbling the Cat and Don't Let's Go To the Dogs Tonight by Fuller. Those two are about as good as it gets IMO.

There was a post on this about 2 years ago ...

http://forums.accuratereloadin...=232102486#232102486

Disturbing book. A good read, but no feel-good story like Wilbur Smith would produce. Too real for that I guess.

Ordered the book. Amazon got it here yesterday. Plan to start this weekend, curious if I like it.....

Both very good books, Mukiwa and Crocodile. I found Crocodile very close to the bone and very sad reading, Mukiwa very very accurately portrays the way we grew up.

Other great non - hunting reads for you bookworms out there, Dark Star Safari by Paul Theroux and The Zanzibar Chest by Aidan Hartley.

And if someone is interested in our war history, I hope you can find Fireforce, by Chris Cocks.

Try "FATE of AFRICA"; "MUGABE"; "DIAMONDS,GOLD and WAR" all by Martin Meredith

I just completed reading this book while sitting in a machan hunting lion. It was a fascinating read. My PH Andy Hunter cautioned me as it may make me a bit sad.... He was right. I met a white farmer while in Zim who had his own story of being forced off his farm. Tenacious people who are left trying to lead a life the best they can.