Can anyone recommend a great coffee table book about safari or African wildlife?

African Hunter II is on my coffee table (as are my feet) as I type this. I bought it right before Christmas and so far I like it. Nice plates as well as a wealth of information.

-Steve

African Hunter by James Mellon is also good.

Safari: A Chronicle of Adventure

I actually have several out right now in my Africa trophy room. Large size photo book called "Animals of Africa", both volumes of SCI record book on another table, The African Experience, and Craig Boddington's "Safari Rifles" on another. The wife just finished the make-over of one guest bedroom and a bathroom to African motiff also.

"African Hunter" James Mellon, "The Shooting Field- 150 Years of Holland & Holland" Peter King, "The End Of The Game" Peter Beard, "Memoirs Of An African Hunter" Terry Irwin, "Safari" Bartle Bull, etc. etc.

I keep the newest vol of SCI record books, African addition of course - - - - then there's In the Salt" by Lou Hallamore(great book) - - - - and Trophy Room Book vol #10(always enjoy drooling over those trophy rooms!)

I like, and continually refer to:

Boddington

Shots at Game

Safari Rifles

American Hunting Rifles

Make it Accurate



Barsnses

Optics for the Hunter


Wane Van Zwoll & Frank de Haas

Bolt Action Rifles


Wayne Van Zwoll

A Hunter's Guide to Accurate Shooting

Steve Hanson

A Varmint Hunter's Odyssey


There are others which I enjoy reading, but these are the ones I keep coming back to.

Picture book? No recommendation - I'm sure there are some good ones, but I don't know what they are. For readers, Mellon's book above is great, and also impressive in places with photos. But for gun nuts or hunters, if that is your intended coffee-table audience, The Perfect Shot stands out. Technical info, great photos, easy to read parts or whole chapters.

Recommending art means revealing one's taste but I appreciate the art of Kim Donaldson and I believe there are a couple of books which reprint his paintings of African wildlife.

quote:

Originally posted by Charles_Helm:
Safari: A Chronicle of Adventure

Yup that one. Out of print now but maybe some are available second hand.

Even though this thread started late last year (to identify a good Christmas present?) I just obtained a copy in French of a book by Pierre Andre Fiorenza. I believe it is also published in English under the title Encyclopedia of Large Game Animals in Africa, or something similar. The French edition is a high quality hardcover and the book is quite well done. The author holds several top ten Rowland and Wards trophies and has an incredible personal trophy collection. I think this makes a great coffee table book.

This is a super bok very appealing and some super drawings of Africa wildlife...Great Poetry of Africa..

Where Elephants Go To Die
by
Rege Podraza


ISBN # 0972787100 http://www.hunterstrax.com
This is one of my favorites...

Lion

Look about when the King is out
And he starts to flick histail
'Cause after a few, he'll be coming for you
And your nerve better not fail

For like it or not, you'll get but one shot
And it better be in the right place
For as long as he lives, no quarter he gives
And death smiles from his face

So when your've shot him through
And he charges you...
Coming on courage and hate
Calm down, chamber a round
And shoot; shit, your're too late!

Hi Mike,
I see you've been thinking about your safari next year.
Dreaming of adding lion to the mix are we?
Well done.,
Frank

Hey Mike,

Did you write that? I really enjoyed it.

quote:

This is a super bok very appealing and some super drawings of Africa wildlife...Great Poetry of Africa..

Where Elephants Go To Die
by
Rege Podraza

Mike,

Boy did you hit that one on the head, if you've been to Africa you can really relate to Rege's book!! I never could read poetry, but let me tell you, I can really relate to "Where Elephants Go To Die!"

I had the chance to meet Rege in Reno last year, great guy!!!!

Thanks Mike!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Wink:
Even though this thread started late last year (to identify a good Christmas present?) I just obtained a copy in French of a book by Pierre Andre Fiorenza. I believe it is also published in English under the title Encyclopedia of Large Game Animals in Africa, or something similar. The French edition is a high quality hardcover and the book is quite well done. The author holds several top ten Rowland and Wards trophies and has an incredible personal trophy collection. I think this makes a great coffee table book.

I second Fiorenza's book. Very good and some beautiful pictures.

A part of Fiorenza's trophy collection was on display at the Rambouillet show last month and I met the man at this display. Very personable, he invited me to his home which is not far from Rambouillet. I will let you know about the visit as I can tell he likes to tell a story and I suspect he has a lot of them.

Mike,

My favorite is:

Africa Calls

Ancient land of clawand thorn
Thunderous hooves and spiraled horn
Sweltering days and frigid nights
Poisonous snakes and insect bites
A land of adventure, pain and sorrow
Long nights and short tomorrows
Feast and famine, drought and rain
Endless pleasure, eternal pain
Like a moth to the flame
Africa calls ... no, shouts my name!


I just love it! the poem and Africa, eh.

FYI,Bartle Bulls book,"Safari-A chronicle of Adventure" is supposedly being reprinted + will be out this fall.Amazon was taking orders.

Just got a used copy from Amazon in like new condition. Great book!