An undiscovered gem by a guy you have never heard of. I bought this on a whim and had a hard time putting it down. This guy wrote the book in Portugese or some other language then it was translated into English. Very well written and not the typical - "I went on a year long trip and shot 50 elephants". This guy was as much explorer as anything else. He will open your eyes to a part of African hunting that we usually do not see.

Edouard Foa is pretty well known to French speaking hunters, at least those who read. His reports were originally written in French since he was commissioned by the Paris Museum for his expedition across Central Africa.

Dogcat's post made me realize that I should read the book. I found a copy on e-bay and have just finished reading "After Big Game in Central Africa" by Edouard Foa. It is an excellent read, published in 1899, and for a translation done at the beginning of the 20th century I was surprised at how "modern" it seemed.

His descriptions of his African staff and the detail he goes into on "who does what" is the best presentation I have read of how a late 19th century safari expedition was organized. And his humor comes through. When speaking of one of his trackers, Tchigallo, he says,

"He was tall and strong; his face was rather agreeable; as a tracker he was fairly good. He had a good experience of the woods; but I do not know whether he liked hunting, as he never appeared happier than when near his fire at camp."

One extraordinary account (Chapter VI) is his tale of assisting a village in eliminating a marauding lion, at the request of the local "king". Eighty men show up, seventy-two with cap lock rifles and Foa tries to convince them to leave the rifles and take up their spears which they refuse to do. What ensues makes the book worth buying.

Thanks for reminding me of this great read. I need to go find my copy and read again. I got it years ago when Christmas shopping, it was a mark down in a little book shop. I started he read in the King of Prussia mall, drifted to the parking lot and spent most of the afternoon sitting in the parking lot in below freezing temps hunting across the hinterlands. Ahh.. and yes chapter six is just the best.
If you haven't read it, it ranks with the best of the oldies.
Bfly

I am currently reading this book and have enjoyed it thus far.

I have read the book, but many years ago. I just looked to my shelf and there it is. Will re read it once I get back from my journey.
Thanks for bringing it to our attention once again.

I'm re-reading foa after an absence of years.

He writes extremely well. Most of Capstick's reprint series are well worth the $'s, IMHO