Roccco

Thanks for all the recommendations.

I just ordered "Valley Of The Elephants", by the late Norman Carr, a very, very rare book (only found two copies on the entire internet) for $175 (there was a library copy for a little less, but this book is signed by the author).

The late Norman Carr was one of the founding fathers of South Luangwa National Park, and I have thus far enjoyed two of his other books "Kakuli", basically just a collection of his wildlife reports from Kapani Lodge, still in existence in South Luangwa, and "Return To The Wild", his book about his experiences raising two orphaned lion cubs until they were four years old.

"Return To The Wild" is a fascinating read, and I think his tales of raising the brothers "Little Boy" and "Big Boy" are well worth reading.

"Long Walk To Freedom", by Nelson Mandela, is splitting time with "The Scramble For Africa" right now.

digitaldiva

More votes for:

- "Don't Let's go to the Dogs Tonight", Alexandra Fuller

- "Flame Trees of Thika" Elsbeth Huxley

and another two suggestions:

- "The African Safari Papers" by Robert Sedlack

- "Power of One" by Bryce Courtenay

Pagash

Two of my absolute favourites are:
Songs to an African Sunset: A Zimbabwean Story by Sekai Nzenza-Shand
and
Mukiwa: A White Boy in Africa by Peter Godwin

Enjoy!

wanderlust5

The Power of One, by Bryce Courtenay. Excellent.

Nelson

FWIW, I have a Bibliography section, with comments, if you slide down to the bottom of this page, a Kilimanjaro trip report:

http://www.summitpost.org/mountains/...mountain_id=17

Most books listed are general Africa reading, not just about the mountain. Some have been mentioned here already, others not.

cooncat

I've just ordered Africa: A Biography of a Continent by John Reader. Hope it's good...

Volante

Africa the biography of a continent is a hard read.....too much geology etc...but u can skip those bits.


Just read the best book ever


'the trouble with Arfica'

by Vic Ghurs
he use to be married to Norman Carrs duaghter.......very amusing insight into living in the bush and Africa in general!


but Scramble for Africa is a must.

everything will fall in to place after reading that.


Mukiwa is a good book as well...can remember who wrote it though...another boyhood Rhodesian book

bwanamitch

That's right, "The Trouble with Africa" was the best book I read last year.

Mitch

cooncat2

Yes, Volante, but geology plays a not-so-insignificant role in who Africa is and why things are the way they are, does it not?

Volante

Quite right it does...but maybe not 200 pages when geology is perhaps not my favourite sublect....I much prefer people....u will see what I mean when u get the book

cooncat2

Volante - I have just received THE book. Yes, it is a rather hefty tome. Perhaps I should have checked my library first....I haven't gotten into yet. We shall see!

Volante

I had warned u!.
But I will go on to say its a truly wonderful book ....just a bit rich on Geology and even perhaps a bit too detailed on anthropology.....and I like anthropology!
Enjoy...its going to take u some time

cooncat

You've got that right!!!!!!!

jasher

Did you get your Bradt guide(s) for Zambia and/or Botswana as well?

Cheers,
Julian

cooncat

Hey Jules - Yes, I did. I thought I told you that already?! Anyway, it has been a great help. Esp. reading about the wildlife in various areas, camp location maps, etc. His prices for the camps freak me out a bit though. And the book is from 2004! (I think) Still no word from Zambia...

jasher

Maybe give Barry a nudge via email -- he can be a bit slow getting back to people sometimes.

Cheers,
Julian

matnikstym

,
julian is right about Barry. Seems he replies to every second email but he was great planning my Zambia trip, did all the work! send an email, wait 2 days if no reply, resend and he should reply back.
Dennis

cooncat

Thanks you two: I'll give the 'ol boy another day or two and then give him a nudge...!

ShayTay

Here are some biographical titles for you:

"My Life of Choice", Wilfred Thesiger. His book, "My Kenya Days" was already recommended.

"Wildlife Wars", Richard Leakey and Virginia Morell. Memoirs of Leakey's days as director of Kenya Wildlife Service.

"Dangerous Beauty", Mark C. Ross. American safari guide in Kenya. He and his clients were among the kidnapped gorilla trekkers in Uganda in 1999.

Two "journey" tales are:

"Malaria Dreams", Stuart Stevens and "Looking for Lovedu", Ann Jones

Enjoy!

afrigalah

"Journey to the Jade Sea" by John Hillaby might appeal.

The late Simon Combes' "An African Experience" and Craig Bone's "African Seasons, wildlife at the waterhole" are pictorials with text giving artists' perspectives.

Another in my library is David Mountfield's "A history of African exploration".