The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, and Primates
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Well Written, by and Expert
  • Excellent Safari Companion
  • In my experience, this isn't very useful
  • Not for the average safari
  • The Safari Companion
 The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, and Primates
Richard D. Estes
Manufacturer: Chelsea Green Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

MammalsMammals | Animals | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1890132446

Book Description

Since its original publication in 1993, The Safari Companion has been the best field guide to observing and understanding the behavior of African mammals. An indispensable tool for naturalists traveling to Africa, this new edition has been revised to acknowledge the enthusiasm to those watching these magnificent animals at zoos and wildlife parks, and on film. The Safari Companion enables readers to recognize and interpret visible behavioral activities, such as courtship rituals, territorial marking, aggression, and care of young. Each account of over 80 species includes a behavioral table in which the unique actions of the hoofed mammals, carnivores, and primates are described for easy reference. In addition, useful maps show the major national boundaries, vegetation zones, and game parks relevant to the guide. The book includes an extensive glossary, as well as tips on wildlife photography, a list of organizations working to protect African wildlife, and advice on where and when to see the animals.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Well Written, by and Expert.......2007-07-19

I just returned from Tanzania, and used this book while on Safari in Serengetti, Ngorongoro crater, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire.

The main strength of the book is the high level overview given to game viewing in the beginning and at the beginning of each animal section. Without some background in behavioral biology it is tough to watch the animals and find it interesting for too long. After reading the opening to this book I was able to take much more from watching big herds of grazers than the tourists I was with.

Richard Estes is clearly an expert in the field, but he writes in a fashion that is easy to understand for a layman. He also gives some personalization to his accounts, giving personal tips for a good game drive.

The only issue with the book is that it is sometimes difficult to match the behavior of the animals in the field to the book in the limited time that is available on safari, so I would suggest that anyone interested read the sections about the animals they expect to see before the safari, and have those pages marked for reference during the game drive.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent Safari Companion.......2007-03-08

This book was an engrossing and wonderful read as we undertook the Safari.
It provided insight into the behavior and special characteristics of each animal that we saw, and made the sightings much more interesting than just the identification of each species.
Recommended highly!

2 out of 5 stars In my experience, this isn't very useful.......2007-02-26

I've been to Tanzania's national parks twice, and watched a lot of game in both the popular and the less-crowded parks. Estes came with me the first time, based on my interest in the animals and reviewers' comments found here; and this last time I took along the (copied) pages for a dozen or so animals (zebras, elephants, wildebeest, giraffes, etc).

His work is certainly interesting and I fully expected it would be a useful Safari Companion. But it hasn't lived up to expectations.

I know I've been fortunate to have guides who were very knowledgable: getting us into interesting situations, pointing out behavior and being able to answer lots of questions. In the evening, though, I've often checked to see what Estes might have to say about what we'd seen; and, typically, I didn't learn anything new. That, by itself, doesn't justify leaving Estes behind. But with few exceptions, fairly careful reading of Estes beforehand didn't prepared me to "see" behavior that might otherwise have been missed over the course of 5 weeks of game watching. I'm certain it's not that the behavior Estes describes doesn't occur; it's just that we tourists rarely have the opportunity to observe animals for long enough periods for it to happen!

After my second trip, I got a copy of "The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals" and I might take it along next time as a close substitute for Estes. For very easy identification of the common animals and birds of East Africa, however, I'll continue to rely on Withers and Hosking, "Wildlife of East Africa" in preference to the "National Audubon Society Field Guide to ..." (which I also own).



3 out of 5 stars Not for the average safari .......2007-01-09

This is a great book for people that want to know about all the variations of antelope, birds etc. If you're looking to go on your first safari and will be amazed by the sight of your first lion, this book is overkill for you.

If you're well educated on animal species, this is a good book for you.

4 out of 5 stars The Safari Companion.......2006-08-21

Excellent safari companion showing various animals and describing them, their habitat, etc. Recommended for anyone going on safari.
Safari Rifles: Doubles, Magazine Rifles, and Cartridges for African Hunting
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • safari here i come
  • GREAT stuff
  • Magnum
  • Top read and lasting reference book
  • The definitive modern book on the subject
 Safari Rifles: Doubles, Magazine Rifles, and Cartridges for African Hunting
Craig Boddington
Manufacturer: Safari Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0940143496

Book Description

A modern day classic that covers the entire subject of what guns to take on todays safari. Covers types of actions, caliber's, premium bullets, and sighting equipment.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars safari here i come.......2007-05-13

this has to be the best book to have on any bedside tale for anyone with an interest in big game hunting and rifles, it is very informative and will go a long way in helping you to choose your next rifle should you be planning a hunt. I have decided on a 416 rigby bolt action rifle which gets more than its fair share of good reviews and hope this book will help in the planning of your next safari.

5 out of 5 stars GREAT stuff.......2004-08-21

Craig obviously really knows how to hunt and must have done heaps of it

5 out of 5 stars Magnum.......2004-04-07

The best look at modern rifles and today's African scene there is.

5 out of 5 stars Top read and lasting reference book.......2004-02-06

I could not put it down, and read it cover to cover in one night. After that it became a reference. The endless detail on calibers, cartridges and loads may put off some but it helped me choose a gun, gave me cartridge selection ideas and got me involved in a South African safari. It is a reference book that reads like a novel.

5 out of 5 stars The definitive modern book on the subject.......2004-01-08

This is the complete work on the hunting rifle in Africa, period. This and Boddington's "American Hunting Rifles" make a two volume masterwork that completely covers the modern hunting rifle in all its forms. This book is unique in that it includes a fascinating poll of modern African professional hunters, what they use, what they want their clients to use, etc. etc. Fascinating statistics. Essential reading for Africa. Also essential in its own way is John Taylor's "African Rifles and Cartridges", and you need to read both.
Fodor's African Safari, 1st Edition: From Budget to Big Spending Where and How to Find the Best Big Game Adventure In Southern and Eastern Africa (Special-Interest Titles)
Average customer rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
  • Incorrect information and generic tips
  • Fodor's Hire an Editor!
  • Skimpy Look at African Wildlife Sites
  • Great information to help you start planning
  • A $10 rip off
 Fodor's African Safari, 1st Edition: From Budget to Big Spending Where and How to Find the Best Big Game Adventure In Southern and Eastern Africa (Special-Interest Titles)
Fodor's
Manufacturer: Fodor's
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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  5. The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, and Primates The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, and Primates

ASIN: 1400012341
Release Date: 2004-04-06

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars Incorrect information and generic tips.......2007-09-22

I found this book almost useless. It's publication date was 2004 and so a lot of information is outdated, which is why most travel books are published annually. If a book isn't going to be updated, they should avoid putting information in there that can become quickly outdated. For instance, they say gorilla permits in Uganda are $275, but the cost has risen twice since then and they are now $500, so the traveler that read this book and decided to go see gorillas would be in for a nasty surprise.

Some other incorrect information may be less important, but really embarrassing. For instance, it calls Dar Es Salaam the capital of Tanzania. It is the largest city and referred to as the "commercial capital", but Dodoma is the (political) capital. It can be a bit confusing, but you expect travel books to get this stuff right. Also, the book states that Churchill called Uganda the pearl of Africa, but it was actually Hemingway. Shoddy work, especially for something published by Fodor's.

Finally, the information is generic. I found this information, and much more, for free on the internet. For instance, it talks about the Great Migration in East Africa happening in a clockwise fashion annually. Well, that doesn't help you know where you need to be if you want to see the Migration and are there in May, for instance. However, there are sites on the internet that show the migration circuit and you can choose where to be at what time of year. All the dos and don'ts and packing lists and entry requirements are also easily found on the internet. And the list of National Parks in many of the countries is lacking. For Tanzania and Uganda it misses a bunch of them. As far as I can tell, there is pretty much no reason to use this book at all. Just read the abundant info on the internet and visit Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree to ask questions of travellers who have been there and people who live there.

1 out of 5 stars Fodor's Hire an Editor!.......2007-08-05

Advice from the author: "take pets to the kennel...buy snacks and gum...check the weather". This "book" is full of the obvious with little help for those planning a safari. To be fair the information on photography (they suggest that you bring lots of film) and their information about self drive safaris (they tell you that this is a safari where you drive yourself) is humorous. A section on "Kahki Fever" where the author warns unsuspecting safari tourists about the dangers of AIDS when having an expected sexual encounter with your ranger on safari is simply over the top. Fodor's Hire and Editor...Amazon Hire a Reader!

2 out of 5 stars Skimpy Look at African Wildlife Sites.......2006-11-03

The book is thin and the information included is even thinner. Hardly worth the purchase price.

5 out of 5 stars Great information to help you start planning.......2006-05-15

My sister and I are planning a trip to Southern Africa in the Spring...although we had both been to South Africa before we did not really know where to start with planning a 'safari' outside of SA...This book was a perfect overview of the different countries, the game you can plan to see, the tourist and weather seasons, and the differences between different types of safaris...we supplemented the information in this book with other sources...but this was a GREAT place to start off...get a good comfort level with the options in Africa...I would definitely reccommend!

1 out of 5 stars A $10 rip off.......2004-09-16

Slim ,is not the word for this small 190 page "pocket book".
Totaly lacking in any comparative information about companies or there offerings.Did not help this ,first time traveler to Africa, at all, in deciding where or how to go on safari.Got more information in a hour "Googling" Safari.Took about an hour to read.Wish I had just "skimmed"it at a book store.Buyer beware. First grade level.EG "Drink lots of water when it is hot" or "best way to avoid malaria is do not get bitten".Written for a person who has never travled anywhere.Amazon has always imposed some "quality control" and this is the first time I have felt totaly "ripped off" after buying one of their books.
African Safari Journal
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Informative!
  • Unfortunately worthless
  • African Safari Journal
  • African Safari Journal
  • I used it because it was easy
 African Safari Journal
Mark W. Nolting
Manufacturer: Global Travel Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0939895080

Book Description

The only book an explorer of Africa needs to pack is really five books in one: wildlife guide, trip organizer, phrase book, diary, and map directory.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Informative!.......2007-06-08

I have been to Kenya three times and would not leave home without this book! Its a wonderful way to remember what you saw and what you need to take.

1 out of 5 stars Unfortunately worthless.......2007-04-25

This book is full of not-enough information to bring on a trip and therefore has precious little extra room for you to do your own writing. The maps are such poor quality that you'll undoubtedly have a better one, and all the extra information is just not worth the weight. Better to bring a blank book along with a good map or guide book. Could be very good for kids if parents are already informed.

5 out of 5 stars African Safari Journal.......2007-02-12

This journal was wonderful!!!! It had all the information that I needed about the animals, had maps of the areas, translations for the various languages, space to enter all my thoughts, information about the people who were on safari with us, our personal information - everything!!! I'll cherish it forever!

5 out of 5 stars African Safari Journal.......2007-01-14

An absolute must if you're planning a photo safari to any of the African game parks and reserves. It supplements the guide's own information plus serves to a chronicle and accurately annotate of all of the photos that you've captured.

5 out of 5 stars I used it because it was easy.......2007-01-10

Took 6 hrs of video and 5,000 digicam images. Time passes so fast and remembering what I shot, when, where and what the guide or ranger said of particular interest was always going to stay in my mind .... not.

This little book was well laid out and easy to use. So I used it. At end of day I would jot notes, and boy have I forgotten so much detail!

With a 30lb luggage restriction on one flight, this still went with me, and it was a good decision.
African Animals ABC: An Alphabet Safari (A+ Books)
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		African Animals ABC: An Alphabet Safari (A+ Books)
    Sarah L. Schuette
    Manufacturer: Capstone Press
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Library Binding

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    ASIN: 0736816798
    Dead Men Don't Leave Tips: Adventures X Africa
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • A 10,000 Mile African Odyssey
    • Great Reading
    • A Travel Addict's Fix
    • Images of Africa
    • Terrific Adventure Read
    		 Dead Men Don't Leave Tips: Adventures X Africa
    Brandon Wilson
    Manufacturer: Pilgrim's Tales, Inc.
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    ASIN: 0977053644

    Book Description

    Description: What does it take to follow your dreams? "DEAD MEN DON'T LEAVE TIPS: Adventures X Africa" by Brandon Wilson is an edge of your seat tale about a couple's seven month dream odyssey - 10,000 miles across Africa from top-to-tip. After their "ship of fools" safari turns into a nightmare, they set off across Africa alone. DEAD MEN DON'T LEAVE TIPS takes readers onto the crazed roads of African adventure and into the hearts of its people-while transforming the travelogue into a raw, penetrating, more poignant genre. From the award-winning author of YAK BUTTER BLUES: A Tibetan Trek of Faith. From flap: What does it take to follow your dream? Quite a bit, if your "dream" involves crossing Africa. That's what one couple discovers when they set off on a seven-month overland journey from Morocco to Cape Town. As dedicated independent travelers, they'd already traveled around the world. But was a trans-African odyssey too much for even them? Who do you "cadeau?" How do you create tantalizing dishes from grubs? Or avoid having a spear tossed through your camera? With trepidation, they join an English do-it-yourself overland safari. Flung into the midst of twenty-one odd companions, they're shocked to discover that many of them have never even camped before. And the "guides" know Africa as well as the dark side of the moon. After their dream turns into a nightmare, they eventually set off across Africa-alone. DEAD MEN DON'T LEAVE TIPS is a captivating tale filled with a passion for travel, spontaneity and unbridled adventure. It is often funny, sometimes anguished, yet always real. Nothing is held back or glossed-over. Wilson takes you onto the crazed roads of Africa, through the everyday ups and downs, and into the lives and hearts of its people. He shows us once again that the real joy of travel is the thrill of getting there. Reviews: "Journeys of body and soul in every sense of the word... Interlaced with this honesty and detail are Wilson's beautiful prose, obvious passion for adventure and a deep inquisitiveness about other cultures, making this book a pleasure to read. Highly recommended." ~ Midwest Book Review "A masterful crossroads of characters, exotic places, history and human drama in a rig that never stalls, and allows the devil to drive his own ill-behaved backyard..." ~ Richard Bangs, author of "Mystery of the Nile" "Entertaining and a monument to those who would take on the challenge of land travel across one of the most dangerous, unhealthy continents in the world." ~ Heartland Reviews "Honest, gritty and insightful...it makes the world's most exciting continent read just like that." ~ John Heminway, author of "No Man's Land: A Personal Journey into Africa" "I was swept away by the drama and storytelling...Wilson is never a tourist. He travels heart-first with both feet solidly on the ground and his curiosity always in high gear. He is exactly the right person to be writing travel books for the rest of us." ~ Maui Weekly "Travel writing at its most sublime, a paean to Africa in all her contradictory beauty, and a tribute to the resiliency of those who travel beyond boundaries not only in search of meaning, but also of understanding." ~ C.W. Gortner, author of The Secret Lion "One of the most engaging travel books we have read." ~ RealTravelAdventures.com "Powerful and gripping story...Fascinating, informative, humorous, poignant, surprising...a terrific read from first page to last-would make a popular addition to any personal or community library Travel section." ~ Midwest Book Review, Travel Shelf "Aficionados of travel books will delight in "Dead Men Don't Leave Tips"...a hybrid of Paul Theroux and Tom Robbins, combining the raw frankness and keen observation of Theroux with the intelligent humor & playful language of Robbins...Readers who have a penchant for traveling will happily devour this book and be sorry it ended. I was!" ~ A. Buklarewicz, Reviewer, Amazon.com

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars A 10,000 Mile African Odyssey.......2007-07-03

    "Wild, pristine beauty surrounded us as we drove to the base of remote Djomba to establish camp. Towering green peaks sprouted out of ripe clusters of lush vegetation. Massive pyramidal volcanoes rose of the verdant floor suggesting its prehistoric past. Churning, whitecapped rivers cascaded over mountainsides into translucent pools below, and its beauty didn't end with nature." ~ pg. 146

    Brandon Wilson is an expert storyteller who masterfully weaves a story of a seven-month odyssey across Africa. His exciting writing style keeps you on the edge of your seat as you journey to the heart of Africa. The detailed descriptions bring the story alive with the sounds, scents and sights of a real-life adventure.

    Brandon Wilson is an award-winning writer and photographer who has spent his life exploring the world. He is also a keen observer of human nature and deftly describes the human drama that is ever present in the stories of the overlanders and exotic locales. There are a few photographs to compliment this journey but the writing captures scenes in seconds and transports you to a different time and place.

    As Brandon and his partner travel from Mororcco to Cape Town you are invited to vicariously experience every nuance and challenge experienced by independent travelers. He and his partner have a passion for adventure and are inquisitive about the local peoples and unique cultures. They maintain their sense of humor throughout and press on, undaunted towards their final goal. Some of their adventures include:

    Hunting with Pygmies
    Climbing Africa's Highest Mountain
    Meeting Mountain Gorilla
    Horseback riding in lion territory
    Sitting out underneath the stars by campfires
    Watching Antelope and Cape Buffalo graze
    Visiting Serengeti National Park
    Watching Hippos in Zaire
    Experiencing village life and living with locals
    Surviving Torrential Rains
    Sampling local foods and finding restaurants
    Swimming and rafting in African rivers


    Through vibrant prose and the eye of an artist, Brandon Wilson paints his recollections with startling clarity. His writing unleashes an immense longing for the experiences he describes. There is a profound beauty of freedom in the way he travels. As they reach Gillman's Point on Mt. Kilimanjaro you can't help but cheer them on to even more exciting adventures like surviving a rafting trip down the Zambezi river.

    I can also highly recommend Yak Butter Blues: A Tibetan Trek of Faith. Brandon Wilson's writing is the best travel writing I've ever read and his adventurous spirit is inspiring.

    ~The Rebecca Review

    5 out of 5 stars Great Reading.......2007-05-01

    Humorous, insightful and at times moving, this book almost has a taste of the nineteenth century explorer to it as the pair strikes out on their adventure, learning as they go. For those of us that would always take the "comfort route," it's well worth reading!

    5 out of 5 stars A Travel Addict's Fix.......2007-01-06

    Aficianados of travel books will delight in "Dead Men Don't Leave Tips".Travel is truly an art mastered by few and Brandon Wilson reveals an expertise that inspires. His rich descriptions transport the reader into the unfamiliar and his ability to delve into the cultural core of the humanity he encounters is sure to nourish the spirit.His writing style is a hybrid of Paul Theroux and Tom Robbins, combining the raw frankness and keen observation of Theroux with the intelligent humor and playful language of Robbins.

    Africa offers travelers the height of potentiality and Brandon Wilson embraces opportunity with constant relish. Readers who have a penchant for traveling will happily devour this book and be sorry it ended. I was!

    5 out of 5 stars Images of Africa.......2006-06-17

    "Dead Men Don't Leave Tips" documents a journey across Africa in a manner that lets the reader experience the trip as though they were there. It's a book that makes you realize that, indeed, such things as taking a trip across Africa are actually possible for "regular" people. We see all the problems of arranging the trip, trouble at borders, problems with roads that are not much more than mudholes. It's presented with humor. But then there are the special moments, where the hassles of the trip fade into the background, and the reader is brought face to face with the beauty of Africa. It is these special moments, where the vital beauty of Africa is brought into focus, that stand out for me.

    For example, when the author visits gorillas in the mountains, he spends over 90 minutes with a gorilla family, moments that seem to pass in an instant. At one point "... the inquisitive baby climbed down again, this time headed directly toward me. Tottering back and forth, her tiny feet tramped through the tall grass. Finally, she paused just inches away. The pop-eyed, eighteen-inch high, thistle-haired imp stretched out her tiny hand toward me ... she caressed my beard then touched my lips with her slender black finger."

    It's these unforgettable moments that make "Dead Men Don't Leave Tips" stand out for me. If you've ever wished you could experience modern Africa, you'll like reading this book.

    5 out of 5 stars Terrific Adventure Read.......2006-06-02

    DEAD MEN DON'T LEAVE TIPS BY BRANDON WILSON is one of the most engaging travel books we have read. The author and his partner set out to live their dream of crossing Africa from top to tip, not as tourists but as travelers. The difference is that travelers experience the country almost as if they were natives living there, not in full service hotels and fancy restaurants. The author's adventure turned sour in many difficult ways because of the ineptness of the guides they had selected and the group with which they were placed to travel. The couple's seven month honeymoon dream odyssey - 10,000 miles across Africa from top-to-tip. After their "ship of fools" safari turns into a nightmare, they set off across Africa alone. However, being adventurers and seasoned travelers, they perservered through dust, mud, starvation, fever, sickness, being stranded in the desert, and many other situations that are horribly fascinating. We shuddered as they overcame each diffuculty. The trip took over seven months, and they came through it unbelievably in tact to tell their fascinating tales. A must read!
    White Hunters:The Golden Age of African Safaris
    Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    • A Non - Hunter Review
    • Loaded with action and interesting characters
    • An Interesting History of the Great White Hunters
    • It reads like a text book
    • Despite negatives, the real deal.
    		 White Hunters:The Golden Age of African Safaris
    Brian Herne
    Manufacturer: Owl Books
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    ASIN: 0805067361

    Amazon.com

    A little over 100 years ago, East Africa was terra incognita to most whites: a land largely unmapped, sparsely settled by Europeans, and teeming with wildlife--from elephants to wildebeest, bongos to rhinos, and all manner of scarifying beasts in between. It was the hunter-adventurer's paradise, and by the early 20th century, a small, lionhearted clan of explorers and big-game hunters began leading safaris there for money. They became the legendary White Hunters of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, men who led manifold adventurers--including royalty, film stars, writers, and millionaires--in pursuit of the world's biggest, most dangerous, and most sought-after game.

    White Hunters is a nostalgic and densely-packed history of these men and their adventures, from the turn of the century until the 1970s when politics, a growing population, civil strife, and concern about species destruction intervened. Brian Herne has written a virtual and anecdotal Who's Who of White Hunters, crammed with the details of hundreds of hunts and the dozens of men who led them.

    This is no book for the faint-hearted or the politically correct. Despite Herne's insistence that his heroes were the first true conservationists, White Hunters is all about the testosterone-enhanced glory of killing big, beautiful things: "Clary fired, dropping his quarry with a side brain shot. The record-class tusks weighed 159 and 143 pounds each, a gigantic elephant...." On the other hand, a staggering number of hunters died in pursuit of their quarry--mauled, eviscerated, or impaled on the tusks of furious, vengeful beasts.

    Not so long ago lions wandered the streets of Nairobi. The politics of big-game hunting aside, the White Hunters' East Africa--wild, mysterious, unspoiled--is vanishing, and Herne has painstakingly documented an era that most readers will likely never know. --Svenja Soldovieri

    Book Description

    East Africa affects our imagination like few other places: The sight of a charging rhino goes directly to the heart; the limitless landscape of bony highlands, desert, and mountain is, as Isak Dinesen wrote, of "unequalled nobility." White Hunters is the story of seventy years of African adventure, danger, and romance. It re-creates the legary big-game safaris led by Selous and Bell and the daring ventures of early hunters into unexplored territories, and brings to life such romantic figures as Cape-to-Cairo Grogan, who walked 4,000 miles for the love of a woman, and Dinesen's dashing lover, Denys Finch. Witnesses to the richest wildlife spectacle on the earth, these hunters were the first conservationists. Hard-drinking, infatuated with risk, and careless in love, they inspired Hemingway's stories and movies with Clark Gable and Gregory Peck.

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars A Non - Hunter Review.......2006-10-07

    I loved this book and I've never even hunted in my life. It is a fascinating picture of a time which is now gone forever. It's not just a list of hunters and how many animals they killed, although that is a big part of it. There is also a lot of interesting background on the society of the East African colonies at that time. Ironically, after initial excessive hunting, it was the White Hunters who did most to protect the wildlife of East Africa. After independence, rapacious governments made short work of what had been carefully nurtured wildlife populations. If you liked this book I'd also recommend "A Certain Curve of Horn: The Hundred Year Quest for the Giant Sable Antelope of Angola" and Martin Meredith's "The Fate of Africa".
    My only complaints about this book are the paucity of photographs; I would have liked to see a lot more photographs. Secondly, this is a book almost specifically about East Africa, especially Kenya and Tanzania. Finally the photo of Biran Herne on the dust jacket must be about 30 years old!!!

    4 out of 5 stars Loaded with action and interesting characters.......2006-09-04

    White Hunters is an engaging and interesting read for anyone interested in the history of the safari trade. From cover to cover Brian Herne has assembled tales that enlighten the reader on subjects ranging from the colorful characters of a bygone era to wildlife lore and insights into the life of the African tribesmen.

    With original photos and stories of such notable characters as Bror and Karen Blixen and Denys Finch Hatton who's lives were portrayed in the Hollywood film 'Out of Africa'. To Carr Hartley who was dubbed by the American press as "The Toughest Man in the World" and whose career influenced the production of the Hollywood movie 'Hatari' starring John Wayne and Red Buttons. This book is jam-packed with true-life action and adventure.

    Along with many other resources I used White Hunters as a research tool while writing Ivory Hunter. It was this book that prompted me to use Nandi tribesmen as trackers in the story in preference to the much more well known Masai.

    Although many of the stories and descriptions are a bit brief, White Hunters is an entertaining and informative read for anyone interested in Africa and particularly in African hunting.

    4 out of 5 stars An Interesting History of the Great White Hunters.......2005-04-15

    I found this book to be a fun read. Lots of details about the African White Hunters of the past and some exciting stories of things that happended during their hunts and careers. Some parts that recounted some hunting events with clients were pretty comical! Laid out in a chronologocal manner. Some sections seemed too long. I would recommend this book for anyone wanting to learn more about the characters and some insight on how they went about their hunting business in Africa.

    3 out of 5 stars It reads like a text book.......2003-04-04

    This is a much too abbreviated list of the hunters and trackers of East Africa and their wonderful lives. If you are expecting the adventure packed prose of Capstick, look to Capstick not here.
    I did not find the book difficult to read or understand, but it was more a historical text instead of an interesting adventure.
    This book would serve as a good primer for reading other works like Roosevelt's African Game Trails so the reader would understand who the characters were in that book better.

    Considering the absolute wealth of characters and high drama Mr. Herne had to work with this book comes off rather dry and shallow.
    For living the most exciting of lives, Mr. Herne does not seem all that excited about any of the people in it. So regrettably 3 stars.

    4 out of 5 stars Despite negatives, the real deal........2003-02-25

    First the negatives: basically, the list of white hunters comes at the reader in a blur of names and brief incidents, so that sometimes the reading takes on a repetitious feel. I found myself a bit overwhelmed at the onslaught of names and personalities, sometimes given no more than a few paragraphs of space. The information is arranged chronologically, beginning with the earliest white hunters like Cornwallis Harris and R.J. Cunninghame, and proceeds at a blistering pace through the 1970's, when Kenya outlawed all safari hunting. Brian Herne, the author, is a good writer, without being particularly inspired. If you are looking for the Peter Capstick (Death in the Long Grass) style of safari writing, you will not find it here. Herne is not the talented storyteller that Capstick is; yet Mr. Herne does have his own particular strengths. His style is very journalistic, in that he relays facts in blunt, swift manner. Take for Instance his concise description of White Hunter, Eric Rundgren's encounter with a charging buffalo: "During one pursuit a wounded buffalo charged, slammed hard in Rundgren, and tossed him over a riverbank. He landed in the gravel stream, but held on to his .450 double rifle. Above him on the bank was the buffalo looking down at him. Lying in the shallow river Rundgren shot the buff in the throat and it collapsed." End of incident. In a Capstick book, this mad charge by a buffalo would have taken a page or two, and by the end of it the reader himself would have felt covered in fear and sweat. Yet, despite the above, I heartily recommend this book for its many strengths: for one, Brian Herne has incredible credentials as a hunter, and one senses in his writing that they are being given the true deal. Maybe not as colorfully expressed as a Capstick, but frankly, more real. Also, there are many nuggets of breathtaking adventure that come jumping at the reader right through the factual prose of Mr. Herne. Nearly every hunter of any note is here, and the reader is given potraits of all the greats: Alan Black, Karamoja Bell, Bror Blizen, Charles Cottar, Bill Judd, and many, many others. Herne certainly can't be faulted for his completeness of the topic. What becomes clear when reading Mr. Herne's book is two facts. First, that big game hunting is an incredibly dangerous profession. It seems that nearly all the hunters were at some point gored or horribly mauled by big game, or suffered malaria, black-water fever, or one of the many diseases that float in the air in Africa. A fair number where killed outright, and these stories make the most gripping in the book, Two, conservation of big game was also an important role of these big game hunters. It was not the white hunters that decimated the rhino and elephant, but rather the various corrupt African governments themselves that allowed, and benefited greatly, from poaching. Herne makes a case for this in statistics that are irrefutable. By eliminating the safari hunters, the only group of individuals that had both the means and incentive to protect the region's wildlife for both personal and financial reasons, the corrupt government officials and poachers were free to roam, now hunting with AK-47 assault rifles and poisons. International prices for rhino horn and Ivory jumped up, as did the death toll for elephant and rhino. In short, this book is a great resource for the true story of white hunters. It includes a fabulous bibliography as well, for further reading.
    African Safari Photography
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		African Safari Photography
      Chris Weston
      Manufacturer: Photographers' Institute Press
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Hardcover

      GeneralGeneral | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
      Nature & WildlifeNature & Wildlife | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
      AfricaAfrica | Travel | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
      GeneralGeneral | How-to | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
      EquipmentEquipment | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
      GuidebooksGuidebooks | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books
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      5. Whatever You Do, Don't Run: True Tales of a Botswana Safari Guide Whatever You Do, Don't Run: True Tales of a Botswana Safari Guide

      ASIN: 1861084420

      Book Description

      Chris Weston, one of the world’s most celebrated nature photographers, presents a practical and inspiring new guide on the dream trip of a lifetime: an African safari. Packed with 230 sensational color photos of the continent’s unsurpassed wildlife, it shows how to plan for a safari and what to take along. A Botswana to Zambia guide to the best parks and wildlife reserves provides invaluable information on when to travel and the best sites for viewing nesting birds, elephant herds, the black rhinoceros, big cats, and more. Plus, entire sections cover animal behavior patterns and photographic techniques for capturing great fleeting wildlife moments.
      Horn of the Hunter - The Story of an African Safari
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        		Horn of the Hunter - The Story of an African Safari

        Manufacturer: Safari Press
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Hardcover
        ASIN: B000H7HDL0
        The African Kitchen: A day in the life of a Safari Chef
        Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
        • The African Kitchen
        • Will make you want to take a safari
        • GET THIS WONDERFUL BOOK RIGHT THIS SECOND
        • From a South African
        		 The African Kitchen: A day in the life of a Safari Chef
        Josie Stow , and Jan Baldwin
        Manufacturer: Interlink Publishing Group
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Paperback

        GeneralGeneral | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
        AfricanAfrican | Regional & International | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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        ASIN: 1566565804

        Book Description

        Africa is synonymous with adventure-a land of wild animals, colorful traditions and natural splendor. The African Kitchen is a culinary and visual feast, a food lover's tour of this fascinating continent. The guide is leading safari chef Josie Stow, who takes us through a day in the life of her bush kitchen. Today's most popular ingredients are used in exciting combinations with recipes for all occasions. Whether you are looking for a quick lunch or leisurely supper, breakfast or snack dishes, new ideas for the barbecue or recipes for a lavish dinner party, The African Kitchen will provide inspiration and enjoyment.

        Customer Reviews:

        5 out of 5 stars The African Kitchen.......2006-06-21

        An inspiring book in every way! Get this book if you are interested in real Africa and African cooking. The recipes are great and the photo's give you real insight into the safari travel and the bush lifestyle.

        5 out of 5 stars Will make you want to take a safari.......2002-07-11

        I really have enjoyed this book. It gives you an insight into African cooking and the beautiful scenery. I had the pleasure of meeting Josie Stow at Tswalu and sampled some of the recipes in the book. They are incredible. Most of the items are easy to prepare and the photos will make you want to go there!

        5 out of 5 stars GET THIS WONDERFUL BOOK RIGHT THIS SECOND.......2000-03-12

        The book is simply stunning, I was most impressed with the food and images. I reccomend the termite mound pizza, although with all the termites it isn't really a veggie dish, you can always pick them off....(he he ha ha)

        Really enjoyed it. inpsired me to go to Africa

        5 out of 5 stars From a South African.......2000-03-08

        As a South African and having spent time in the USA, I tried to think of ingredients etc that one would need if you were living outside of Africa, most seem easy to obtain. It's a beautiful book both in recipes and photos.Being a professional photographer it's a fun book to look at for the photos as well as different style of cooking. Most recipe books are static and don't motivate me into purchasing it, but this one caught me. It has a great African feel. Worth buying.

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        8. Where the Buffalo Roam: Restoring America's Great Plains
        9. Wild About Horses: Our Timeless Passion for the Horse
        10. Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Portfolio Nine (Wildlife Photographer of the Year Volume 9)

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