I have the 2nd version by Flack and Boddington. I do not have Mellon's original. Those that have both, is it recommended to get the first one or does the 2nd one cover it?

C'mon, YD (Bryan?).

A book junkie like you (us) has no excuse for not having the Mellon.

The II uses a very similar format, but the content of the original is awfully good reading, if somewhat dated.

Yes it's me and yes I am a book junkie. I was hoping you would say...no, just stick with #2. Sigh. Every year, I tell my family to get me books for gifts...not clothes.

I'm still trying to figure out how to justify Mr. Quimby's Royal Quest or Sanchez Arino's series on Hunting in Africa countries.

Hmmm...I've got this signed copy of Sutherland's big Colt book sitting here and I would rather trade or sell it if anyone needs it.

I have Mellon's African Hunter, but haven't gotten around to buying No. 2. Mellon's book is a classic, but the information in it is dated. It has great photos, and Mellon wrote some interesting stuff. For a long time it was the Bible for anyone who wanted to know about hunting in Africa. It's been out long enough that you should be able to find used copies of the Safari Press reprint.

Bill Quimby

Both are fantastic. I think I enjoy reading Mellon's more, though.

DP, we really need to get a little book exchange going. I know you have stuff that I don't and perhaps vice versa.

New PM, er, attached to an old PM...

PM replied to.

Version #2 doesn't really break down the species like I think Mellon does. Is that correct? I might take a look at Dave's before buying it.

I liked 2 the best. I merely scanned 1 due to the age of it.

DOES # 2 BY BODDINGTON HAVE --ANY -- ORIGINAL THOUGHT IN IT OR IS IT THE USUAL BODDINGTON COPYCAT WRITING ?

#1 IS OUTDATED BUT IT SET THE FORMAT TO BE COPIED......

It's a compilation of articles edited by Flack and Boddington. There is a lot of writing in it that is not from either man.

We know you don't like Boddington and aren't shy about that. You are also in the minority.

There is a lot of stuff in the first one that isn't Mellon's writings, as well.

The second edition is still very good. I think Boddington and Flack did a fantastic job updating Mellon's efforts.

If you are using these books as current reference material, then no the first edition isn't applicable in many parts of Africa today. But who can turn down reading stories about animals that are off-limits to hunting now, especially when the authors are Jack O'Connor, Warren Page, Elgin Gates, etc... There is a ton of fantastic writing in the first edition, whether you can hunt in Chad today doesn't matter that much...

Good point Dave. I am not looking for current info in these older books as I have a number of sources for that. I am looking for classic authors and writing so I will be picking up Mellon at some point. I'm just not in a hurry since I have version 2.

I would say get it!

I have had it for over 10 years, I have a trade soft bound edition. I bought a SCI Volume 2 at the same time. The Mellon book is timeless, interesting, and fun.

The Africa he knew is so much different than our Africa it would amaze you.

I wish he wouldn't have retired, SCI had an intereview with him years ago and he doesn't really look any different and he must be 60-70.

You have to remember that African Hunter was written by him when he was in his 20s and 30s. He hunted at an exhaustive pace and he was probably the only one in the world doing it at the time.