Out of print and a little expensive when you can find a copy but a very enjoyable read. John Kingsley-Heath was a professional hunter in Kenya, Tanzania and Bechuanaland back in the Golden Age of safari. Worked for the legendary company Ker and Downey. Easy to read, very conversational writing style. Amazing to read about all the hunts where elephant well over 100 pounds were shot, including one hunter that had shot so many 100 pounders that he refused to shoot anything under 150 pounds. Makes me wish a trips in a time machine were possible.

This is a great book because John had a real technical knowledge of guns and ballistics as well as being a very successful PH. For instance, he tells of hunting with John Taylor on some of the first animals taken with his new .416 Taylor.

John also once killed an elephant with a .243. He said "I did it to prove that it could be done -- but I REALLY don't recommend anybody doing it again"

I was with John on a photo safari in Tanzania in 2001, and it was amazing to have a drink in the evening and listen to his stories.

Safari Press has it, iirc. Mine cost me about $100 at SCI last year.

Actually Sycamore Island Books printed one edition in 1998 which is now out of print. Safari Press nor Trophy Room books had anything to do with it. On the used book market a trade edition will go for $300 to $500 and a limited edition $750 and up. If you did buy it for $100 you have the steal of the century on African hunting books. The original issue price for the trade edition was $125 and the lmtd. $300.

Interesting this book is mentioned.

I have the green leather limited signed edition.
This is the only one that is for sale as I write.
http://www.abebooks.com/servle...+of+Africa%26sts%3Dt






[]

quote:

Hunting the Dangerous Game of Africa by John Kingsley-Heath

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/new...-Kingsley-Heath.html

Thanks for posting JK-H's obit. Interesting read. And congrats on owning a Ltd. Edition of his book... $1250, wow!