On our trip I red Paul Theroux's Dark Star Safari - Overland from Cairo to Capetown and found it fascinating, a book I could not put down. I found it fascinating. I particularly liked his take on development in Africa, which he says is part of the problem, not part of the solution. I also found interesting his take on tourists only seeing a small, sanitized version of Africa. Condescending maybe, but I thought it had a ring of truth. I would recommend it to anyone going to Africa.

Wow where to start? “The Tree Where Man was Born” by Peter Matthiessen is the reason I went from wanting to visit to Africa to moving there when I got out of college. “Don’t let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight” by Amanda Fuller – an extremely well written and amazing book about her childhood in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. And of course the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall-Smith – a sweet look at Botswana – and not really that far off the real thing. Anything by Bessie Head. And – if you’re into safari – “Safari” by Bartle Bull is a must with great insight into the history of safari.

I just finished a very sweet, funny and smart book, "Little Boys Come From the Stars", by Emmanuel Dongala, about a young boy growing up in postcolonial Congo. It's a quick and enjoyable read.

thanks for the new thread and the link.
I have just purchased Cry of the Kalahari, which others recommended to me, and am particularly interested in the Paul Theroux book, as i like his writing so will probably buy that as well.
I am going on my first safari in May-Botswana, so not only do i want books to read while on the plane and while there, but am eager to start now (though i was saving Cry of the Kalahari for the plane- as it seems very special)
so keep those titles coming all you helpful fodorites
Amy

I just had to climb in on this one! Here are just a few of my favourites:
Mukiwa - Peter Godwin
When the Crocodile Eats the sun (tragically sad and true, especially as I am a Zimbabwean) - Peter Godwin
The Power of One - Bryce Courtney
Hold my Hand I'm Dying - John Gordon Davis
Barefoot Over the Serengeti - David Read (plus the 2 follow ups which I can't remember the titles of right now
Zanzibar Chest - Aidan Hartley
Sometimes when it rains; The sand in the Wind; Between the Sunlight and the Thunder - all by Kieth Meadows

I could carry on all day! There are GREAT african writers.

I recommend "Wildlife Wars: My Fight to Save Africa's Natural Treasures" by Richard Leakey. He worked during the late 80s and into the 90s as the first director of the Kenya Wildlife Service. The book is his version of that work. I am sure there is some controversy about his version, but if even half of it is true it provides a good insight of what it has taken in terms of effort, money and even human lives to secure the wildlife and national parks of Kenya. And good insight into developing countries economic, political and cultural challenges. Anyone considering an African safari would do well to have such background of what has gone into -- in the positive and negative sense -- what their experience will be there.

Treepol, Thanks for sharing your list of 200 Africa related books.

hi all
now, you feel like ordering one of those books about africa
order through Better World Books
http://www.betterworldbooks.com/
and you make a contribution to Africa's and other 3rd world countries' literacy

aby

aby
thanks for the info on Better World Books. I will use them.
i also wanted to get this post back up to the top
amy

Hi,

a few more recent reads for the thread.

Firstly, The Bolter by Francis Osborne is an interesting biogaphy of her gandmother who was at one time Lady Idina Hay, wife of Jos Hay aka the Earl of Erroll who was murdered in Nairobi during the Second World War. The book dwells on both colonial Kenya and the Happy Valley crowd.

Secondly, The Voluptuous delights of peanut butter and jam is a disturbing novel set in Rhodesia during the bush war. Two sisters have an idyllic life despite the long absences of their father due to the 'war' until a cousin moves to the farm and all of a sudden the cosy family life they have enjoyed to date is overshadowed by a menacing presence.

Thirdly, Mark of the lion by Suzanne Arruda is the first in a fiction series to feature feisty heroine Jade Del Cameron. Jade travels to Kenya to fulfil a dying wish of someone who was important to her and along the way is introduced to a lively cast of settlers, some of whom are recognisable. Close encounters with large creatures, a couple of seemingly 'magical' murders and more than a hint of witchcraft make for a fast read. The book was a thoroughly enjoyable 'ripping yarn' and I'm looking forward to the others in the series.

Cheers,


Pol

Treepol,
I just started reading Mark of the Lion last night. Suzanne Arruda was in Houston this week and DH surprised me with three autographed books(Stalking Ivory and The Leopard's Prey).

Last week’s read was Rainbow’s End by Lauren St. John (really enjoyed it) and Don’t Lets go to the Dogs Tonight (Alexandra Fuller).

i've recommende elsewhere on this forum:
Facing Mount Kenya by Jomo Kenyatta

from Wikipedia:
Facing Mount Kenya, written in 1938, is an anthropological book about the Kikuyu people of central Kenya. It was written by native Kikuyu and future Kenyan president Jomo Kenyatta.

The book's introduction was written by anthropologist Bronisław Malinowski, who mentored Kenyatta while both were at the London School of Economics.

Here are 3 more recent African reads.

Firstly, Innocent victims : rescuing the innocent victims of Zimbabwe's farm invasions

This book is about the courageous and humane work of Meryl Harrison, the Chief Inspector of the ZSPCA and her tireless efforts to free pets and livestock (even poultry!) from invaded farms. A very inspirational read.

Secondly, Stalking ivory by Suzanne Arruda, the second novel in the Jade del Cameron series and another 'ripping yarn' set in Marsabit NP. This time, Jade tackles ivory poachers and slavers in the Kenyan wilderness.

Thirdly, Ive just started Wilbur Smith's latest novel Assegai which although slow at the beginning is developing his familiar 'boys own' style. I'm not enjoying it as much as Blue horizon, the most recent of his works that I've read.

Happy reading,


Pol.

Does anyone know of a recent book about the Rift Valley?

many thanks for all suggestions-

I bought and finished Don't Let's Go To The Dogs Tonight- which i highly recommend

I am in the midst of Dark Star Safari- which while I am finding very interesting, i would really like to wring his neck at times when he is so condescending about anyone who is in Africa as a tourist. But I am very interested, though not completely in agreement with his thoughts about African aid. And would be interested in more information about this from anyone, be it other books ( I did jot down a couple of writers he mentions) or websites on this topic.

21 more days till my first safari ( and I decided to bring Cry the Beloved Country for my son to read while we are there as well as Cry of the Kalahari for both of us- then he gets to bring some books for me to read, but I told him they did not need to be Africa related.

amy

Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan

A new book (copyright 2008) of short stories. The stories take place in Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Nigeria and a few other places.

The cover has a picture of a running child. After reading several of the stories, I can understand why that picture was chosen.

sallysaab,

Anup Shah has a new book out this year called Great Rift Valley.

Cheers,


Pol

Anup Shaw!! Brings back memories!!! I just happened to run into him and his father Manoj last year in camp (Olare Safari Camp) when he was photographing for this book. He missed Honey's cubs making their first zebra kill.

His pictures are amazing. I picked up his book "African Odyssey, 365 days", which is amazing as well. This is his website: http://www.shahimages.com

The video of Honey's cubs making their first ever zebra kill can be found here:

http://www.tomtrowbridge.com/2008/09_Kenya/Video/Video/17_CheetahKill_320.wmv

this is my original post:
http://www.fodors.com/community/africa-the-middle-east/honeys-cubs.cfm

The Keith Meadows books are a crazy price on Amazon so they'll have to wait.

I've read quite a few. The asterick is for having read it more than once.
My Heart Is Africa: A Flying Adventure
Place of Reeds
Botswana Time
Jambo, Mama
*The No. 1 Ladies Detective Series
Whatever you do, don't run
Twenty Chickens For A Saddle
Stalking the Wild Dik-Dik: One Woman's Solo Misadventures Across Africa
The Worlds of a Maasai Warrior: An Autobiography
*Africa House
*West With the Night, Beryl Markham
*I Married Adventure by Osa Johnson
*Four Years in Paradise by Osa Johnson
*Safari; A Saga of the African Blue by Martin Johnson
*Cry of the Kalahari (I've read it 4 or 5 times.)
*The Eye of the Elephant
The Secrets of the Savanna
Traversa by Fran Sandham
Africa In My Blood, Jane Goodall
Rainbow's end by Lauren St John
Mukiwa - A White Boy in Africa, by Peter Godwin
When a Crocodile Eats the Sun: A Memoir of Africa
Dead Men Don't Leave Tips: Adventures X Africa

And not only about Africa is Honeymoon with My Brother. Fun book.

Another book not about Africa but about an African elephant that I really love is The Cowboy and His Elephant: The Story of a Remarkable Friendship
by Malcolm MacPherson

I know I've read more but can't remember them right now.

A book I read a few years ago which was really interesting was The Ukimwe Road by Dervla Murphy. I'd highly recommend it. An Irish woman who cycled alone through Eastern Africa following the plight of people with HIV/AIDS (Swahili translation - Ukimwe). I haven't read it for ages, but remember being amazed by her intrepid journey.

Am currently reading novels by Tony Park … fun adventures on Safari in Southern Africa with thrills, spills aplenty … filling the gaps between safaris for me.

Beyond Mombasa by Frank Coates was also a great read with lots of historical information but turned into a hard to put down read. He has some other books out, I have only read one other of his, In Search of Africa which I enjoyed but not as much as Beyond Mombasa.

bookmarking

I cracked up to read a couple of you share my feelings about Paul Theroux.

This month’s read:
Into Africa: the Epic Adventures of Stanley & Livingstone
The Bolter, story of Idina Sackville (aka high priestess of the Happy Valley Set, Kenya)
Wildflower, life of Joan Root

3 recent reads which added considerably to my appreciation of wildlife in Africa today. Don't mean to add fuel to the hunting vs non-hunting debate but these reflected quite a bit on places some of us have visited.

A Hunter's Wanderings in Africa--Being a Narrative of a 9 years in the far interiof of South Africa of Frederick C. Selous.

Africa Game Trails--an account of the African Wanderings of an American Hunter-Naturalist Theodore Roosevelt.

White Hunters--The Golden Age of African Safaris by Brian Herne. Reflects on many of the places we have visited. Kinda of nostalgic to read of lions, hippos and the like being seen on the streets of Nairobi!

Dick

I second the recommendation for A Guide to the birds of East Africa by Nicholas Drayson. It's fiction, and romantic without being sentimental. Very easy to read, evoking a different time and place.

Anyone else read "In the Dust of Kilimanjaro"? I'm in the middle of it now and have really enjoyed it. It gives one person's account of how Amboseli NP was set up.

I'm shocked that no one has mentioned "The Covenant" by James Michener. Like all Michener books, it is classified as historical fiction but includes 95% non-fiction (only the characters themselves are fictional). The most amazing coverage of African history,especially South African history.

Lots of my favorites have already been mentioned, like Alexandra Fuller's 'Don't lets go to the dogs tonight' (has anyone read her second book 'Scribble the cat'? Is it as good as 'dogs'? ) and Peter Godwin's 'Mukiwa'.

I also enjoyed David Schmahmann's 'Empire Settings' about growing up in SA.

I first got introduced to William Boyd through 'Brazzaville Beach' and 'A good Man in Africa', I find his style of writing very engaging.

One of my all time favorites - Malaria Dreams by Stuart Stevens.

David Lamb's 'The Africans' or 'The Arabs'. I found them both enlightening.

I've also read lots of Peace Corp memoirs- The village of waiting & The ponds of Kalambayi

And of course I'm following the Ladies #1 series.

On my last trip to SA, I picked up:

'Say you're one of them'-I found the persistent theme of hopelessness so disturbing, about halfway through I refused to go on with it.

Enjoyed Tim Ecott's 'Stealing Water'

Enjoyed Peter Godwin's 'When the crocodile eats the sun'- went from cover to cover on the flight back home from SA.

...and I'm currrently reading A Primate's Memoir which I bought because I enjoyed my walk with baboons in Cape Town so much.

Are there any books that tell of happy or enjoyable times in Africa? Most of what I read seems to focus on the trials/tribulations/hazards and in general difficulties of the dark continent.

Sally Henderson has a new book out called Ivory Moon about Namibia. Peter Allison also has a new book.

sallysaab

Do you know the title for the new Peter Allison book? I haven't had any luck searching for it. Thanks!

Lillipets, I've deleted the email that had that info, I'll find out in the next couple of days, it's released in August.
Also I've just ordered a book called Wildflower by Mark Seal.

Lillipets, just looked at the Barnes & Noble website and the book is "Don't Look Behind You!: A Safari Guide's Encounters with Ravenous Lions, Stampeding Elephants, and Lovesick Rhinos"
by Peter Allison
They say it's out in Sept.

Femi,
I read Scribble the Cat and didn't like it as well as Dogs.

All, I'm enjoying this thread tremendously! After Africa, reading and books top my list of favorite activities.

Just read A Carrion Death Introducing Detective Kubu. (This first novel by Michael Stanley was on the LA Times Crime Fiction Favorite Book of the Year). It reminds me of the #1 Detective series but from a decidedly more masculine and more violent approach. Detective Kubu is a memorable character.

Has anyone read their other novels?

Femi, in answer to your question about more upbeat books about Africa, this is one on my list of those to read:
Angels in Africa: Profiles of Seven Extraordinary Women (Beth O'Donnell)

Books I'm on the hunt for:
Longing for Darkness: Kimante's Tales from Out of Africa (the stories of Isak Dinesen's trusted majordomo).

Swahili Chic (Bibi Jordan)

I have pre-ordered a copy of Tanzania - Culture Smart!: the essential guide to customs & culture (Quintin Winks)

Its been over 35 years since I was a student in Kenya, but even now the novels by African writers that we studied in school in the mid to late 70s leave an indelible mark on my mind.
We were so fortunate to have had excellent literature teachers to guide us through the reading and studying, who gave us insights into the minds and creations of these novelists that we'd never have gleaned were it not for them.

Two novels and a play come fondly to mind :

- The Lion and the Jewel, by Wole Soyinka
- Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe
- The River Between, by Ngugi wa Thiong'o

All three illustrate aspects of tribal Socio-culture, the aspirations and the history and ploitics of African people from across the continent.
Give them a shot if you can find them. Well worth it.

Calo, I actually have "Safari Chic" in my library. The production values aren't very high (grainy photos, etc.); I think that the Balfours' "Simply Safari" is a better book along those lines (photos of camps, etc.)

You've confirmed my thoughts about Scribble the Cat Samcat. The snippets I read just didn't reach out and grab me the way 'Dogs' did. I wouldn't have described myself as passionate about reading, same way I wouldn't say I have a passion for breathing, LOL. They're practically one and the same for me. I feel bereft if I'm forced to go to bed without something to read. My love of travel is a very close second.

Thanks Calo, I'll definitely look those up.

I've also got safari Chic in my library, and a couple with the same title, Safari Style. I agree with Shay Tay about the quality, but at the time I was so hungry for all things African, I thought it was worth it. I think the 'Great Hotel Book' series by Taschen are a better value, I pull them out time and time again.

Mathieu, because we had to read Things Fall Apart in school, I never even considered it for this list. But, I just picked it up again a few months ago and agree that it deserves honorable mention. Makes me wonder now about Ngugi Wa Thiongo's 'Weep Not Child', once again required reading, so of course I never picked it up since. Maybe now is my chance.

Just returned from browsing Amazon.

Calo it's a pity the books on your list don't have the sneak peek feature. Longing for Darkness is available for a reasonable price.

I thought the name Peter Allison sounded familiar, and sure enough I bought 'Whatever You Do Don't Run' last year. I remember it being just ok, but it has received pretty good reviews.

ShayTay and Femi, it'll be interesting to see if the photo quality in Swahili Chic (published 2007) will be better than Safari Chic (published 1999).

Oops, wrong "Chic"! Sorry, Calo, my bad... You can actually see 28 pages of "Swahili Chic" on www.bibijordan.com. It's hard to say if the photos are of greater quality by just looking at the website, but they appear to be so. Yes, it looks to be an interesting book!

No worries, Shay. I'm a bit confused because the book I've ordered (for when available) is listed differently from the one on Bibi Jordan's website. Could be just the years of publication, but the tag lines are also different. I guess it's the same book:
http://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=swahili+chic

Looks like it may be an updated version of the same book. I notice a few publishers doing that with their picture books.

Khakif, thank you SO MUCH for telling us about Michael Stanley. I am just starting to read A Carrion Death. Imagine my surprise to discover, upon reading the blurb about the authors on the back flap, that the Stanley half of the duo is an old friend of mine, in fact, the man who introduced my husband and me to Africa! Stan went to grad school with my husband, and the three of us have worked together, both in the US and Africa. This was many years ago, and we had lost touch. It will be great to get back in contact with him.

The web site for their books is www.detectivekubu.com. The book is really good. I always knew Stan was a man of many talents, but I had no clue that literature was one of them.

Celia:
Truly nothing in life is an accident. I'm pleased to be the catalyst of a wonderful reunion. Enjoy!
KhakiF

Celia:
Just finished reading “The Second Death of Goodluck Tinubu,” by Michael Stanley. I’m becoming rather fond of the charming Detective Kubu. I think their second book is hugly appealing. Looking forward to more mysteries from Michael and Stanley.

"The Power of One," which has is mentioned above, is an excellent read. For those who might not have known, Bryce Courtenay wrote a sequel entitled "Tandia," which includes Peekay, the main character from 'Power...' I've just started the sequel and so far so good.

I'm reading The Last Resort. It's written by a journalist who grew up in Zimbabwe. He goes back to visit his parents a few days before this most recent election.
It is really good so far. He's a wonderful writer. And it's nice to read something so current.

'The Zanzibar Chest' is excellent.
'Don't let the dogs go tonight' is much better than 'Scribbling the cat' I felt.
Memoirs of a Game Ranger - by one of the first Wardens of Kruger Park is a great read.
Wilbur Smiths first books are also rollicking African adventure story's - 'When the Lion Feeds' I think is one? Good, light holiday reads.

Oh and for a very good account of a bit of South Africa's more recent apartheid history - 'In a Different time' - it's about the treson trial of the Delmas 4. Written by there lawyer. It sounds very heavy but it is well written and gripping.

I didn't go back to check the original lists - and figure many readers here are like me - so I'm adding a book I just finished.

Mark C. Ross's "Dangerous Beauty" Many wonderful safari memories from his experiences as a guide in East Africa, built around the terror of having been in the group that was kidnapped while in Uganda viewing gorillas. Horrific ordeal. Extremely well written and constructed book.

Another great Peter Allison book - "Don't Look Behind You" available at Amazon Sept. 1st

Here's a title I don't recall seeing in this list, or other similar lists and it surely does belong. Among The Elephants by Iain and Oria Douglas-Hamilton, published in '75. Quite amazing to realize how little was known such a (relatively) short time ago.

I am enjoying The Trouble with lions by Jerry Haigh, telling of his work with mostly lions and rhino in the mid-1960s around Meru and Nanyuki. The book has just moved onto Cameroon where he was involved with fitting radio collars to forest elephants.

Other recent African reads include:

King, Simon - A Wild life (Memoir)

Peek, Bookey - Wild honey (tales from a Zim wildlife sanctuary)

Park, Tony - Ivory (Adventure page-turner set on the Mozambique coast)

Henderson, Sally - Ivory moon. Follow-up to Silent Footsteps where Sally and Jerry are guest managers at a WS lodge in Namibia.

McKenna, Virginia - The Life in my years. Memoir that includes some stories of her meetings with the Adamsons whilst making Born Free and other African projects.

Seal, Mark - Wildlfower. A biography of the wildlife photographer Joan Root who was murdered at her Lake Naivasha home in early 2008.

Bryden, Bruce - A Game ranger remembers. Biography of a long serving Kruger game warden. I saw his death reported recently.

Brownlee, Nick - Burn (2nd in a crime series set around Mombasa)

Cheers,


Pol

I can't believe nobody has mentioned WILBUR SMITH!!!!!

My favorite is most defintely "When the lion feeds" followed by "Elephant Song" and so many many others!

There's a new little paperback guide that came out in Aug this year called Tanzania - Culture Smart!: the essential guide to customs and culture.

It'd be very useful particularly to first-timers to Tz in terms of how to be culturally sensitive and aware.

http://www.amazon.ca/Tanzania-Culture-essential-customs-culture/dp/1857334833/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254405025&sr=1-1

"I Married Adventure" by Osa Johnson....my mother read this to us as a bedtime story in the 40's.

Just an update on "Tandia," the sequel to "The Power of One." The follow-up book chronicles Peekay's boxing career and his subsequent legal career. If TPOO was a 4.5 - 5, I thought "Tandia" was a 3.5 - 4. Still a decent read and interesting to find out what happens to Peekay.

"Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan"

This just made Oprah's Reading List.

Just picked up Anita Shreve's "The Change of Altitude" (Kenya and Mt. Kenya) A novel. Will advise when I get into it!

The Woman who lived in a Tree by Don Pinnock (A book of short stories)
There really is a woman who lived in a tree - for 16 years in fact. A leopard occasionally shared her arboreal home; lions stalked underneath.
There's also a man who flew clean round the world in a microlight powered by a lawnmower engine. And a woman who single-handedly hauled a sled to the South Pole. A climber who turned back 150 metres from the top of Everest and an elephant whisperer who saved the Baghdad Zoo. These people are about as diverse as you can imagine, but they have one thing in common: they are Africans.
Their stories are extraordinary. They make you look back at your life and think of all the things you could have done with yours.
Previous book by Don Pinnock
African Journeys
Natural Selections
Loveletters to Africa
Blue Ice
Rainmaker

After renting "Born Free" I read:

Joy Adamson: Behind the Mask by Caroline Cass


After renting "Out of Africa" I read:

Silence Will Speak-Life of Denys Finch Hatton by Errol Trbezinski

Lives of Beryl Markham-Denys Hatton's Last Love by Errol
Trbezinski

Blood River - Tim Butcher
Various by Redmond O'Hanlon
The Lion Children
Healing Land - Rupert Isaacson
Lost world of the Kalahari - Laurens Van Der Post
Various by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

and for North Africa and the Middle East
Naguib Mahfouz, Amin Maalouf and Ahdaf Soueif

If you're in need of a good laugh Nick Green's "Boathouse to Botswana" is a fast read - though not strictly set in Africa, starting in the UK, with a little time spent in Mexico, then on to Namibia.

Tammie Matson's new book “Elephant Dance“, is out now.

2 I've just bought, A Game Ranger Remembers by Bruce Bryden & Whatever you do, Dont Run, by D Hood, J Hendry, C Roche & M Emmett

Enjoying this exchange of information - some interesting titles I hadn't seen before!
But have to disagree with VeeR's recommendation of Nick Green's "Boathouse to Botswana" - I personally thought it was the worst travel book I've ever read, badly written and full of UK-centric Z-lister references about his life as a waiter. His Africa stories are unfunny tittle-tattle about guests, and the Botswana part of the book is a full (or not) 5 and half pages. I would say don't bother with this one!

I've just been given 'Mma Ramotswe's cookbook - nourishment for the traditionally built' by Stuart Brown, a celebration of the food & culture of Botswana. I was pleasantly surprised by the care which has gone into the illustrations, quotations and captions, it's nice reminder of Botswana for those who have visited and those who like the Ladies Detective Agency novels.

The Trouble with Africa-Why Foreign Aid Isn't Working by Robert Calderisi (an official previously with the World Bank). I'm finding the book intriguing and provocative. It has me thinking.

One of my favorite books about Africa, The Shadow of the Sun is a non-fiction book by the Polish writer Ryszard Kapuściński.

To Femi, Another upbeat recommendation, Safari Jema by Teresa O'Kane. available on amazon.com

I read Safari Jema too and really enjoyed it. Also some of the others you all have recommended like the Peter Allison books, I think he's hilarious, #1 Ladies series of course, and Don't Lets Go to the Dogs. Thanks for all the other ideas, everyone. I'm getting ready to make my first trip to Botswana (second trip to Africa) so I'll need some good reading for the planes.