South Africa Books

I have this book (two books in one) titled with "Hunters life among lions,elephants, and other wild animals of South Africa" published in 1856. The more than 600 pages of travel, hunting, and near escapes will keep you reading. Cummings is not long winded on his tales at all, more facts would be nice. but still you will love his hunts and the thrilling escapes using the old muzzle- loader, stalking, hunting from horseback etc. htl ky

Nick Greaves wrote and took all the pictures for this beautiful book. It depicts not only elephants, but other animals as well. It clearly explains about the wildlife in the park and goes further to explain the hard issues - culling (killing) elephants, ivory trade, and funding of the park. This is a book that will both look as good on your coffee table and is a pleasure to read. As a Zimbabwe guide in Hwange, Nick Greaves knows his elephants and this comes through clearly in the book. Highly recommended!

A TREASURE NOT LOST: IBN BATTUTA'S TRAVELS IN ASIA AND AFRICA, 1325-1354

In 1354 the Caliph of Morocco commissioned a royal scribe to take down Ibn Battuta's account of his twenty-nine years of travels. The result was an eye-opening recitation from a learned man who participated in the affairs of the world. The book did not surface in the west until 1829.

The 1986 version under review here was a new translation by H.A.R. Gibb, Lecturer in Arabic at the School of Oriental Studies, University of London, reprinted by Oriental Books Reprint Corporation at Delhi, India.

Gibb treats Ibn Battuta "as a traveler, not as a writer of geography" and wrote it so that "this extract may be of service in introducing to a wider circle of English readers one of the most remarkable travelers of his own or any age."

In this work he does the job. The prose is easy to read and comprehend. Gibb's translation does not interfere with Ibn Battuta's narrative style. You believe that it is Ibn Battuta whom you are hearing as you read. The notations throughout the book, as endnotes, are scholarly, although the maps, all by the author, are a little hard to read. There is also an index of names and places, but there is no general index.

The stimulus for Battuta's travels stemmed from the "duty laid upon every Muslim of visiting Mecca at least once in his lifetime, so long as it lies within his power to do so."

"He was in fact the only medieval traveler who is known to have visited the lands of every Muhammadan ruler of his time," in addition to travels in non-Islamic Turkey, Ceylon, and China. His account of the Maldives "is the earliest descriptive account we possess of the islands and their inhabitants."

His pilgrimage in Ceylon to the top of the high mountain known as Adam's Peak is a place unique in the world. Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist alike revere this as the location of the imprint in black rock of the foot of Adam, or a Hindu god, or Buddha, according to their respective beliefs. The reported footprint is over eight feet long.

His account of a cowrie exchange in Malli (Mali) alongside the salt exchange there "showed the existence of extensive trade between West Africa and East Africa, as cowrie shells are found only in East Africa." It should also be noted that Gibb gives a brief but helpful account here "of the early negro (sic) empires" in West Africa in an extensive endnote.

"The extent of his wanderings is estimated at not less than 75,000 miles without allowing for deviations, a figure which is not likely to have been surpassed before the age of steam."

We are lucky to have this translation. It reveals a perspective that could have been lost, were it not for Battuta's keen eye, the royal Moroccan and his scribe, and Gibbs.

A.D.Saunders August 8, 2000 ++++++++

Allan Boesak has been in the forefront of the struggle against apartheid in South Afica and has been increasingly recognised as a political as well as religious leader. Less public but equally important has been his role as a leading theologian among the forces resisting aparthied.

This collection of addresses and sermons from 1979 to 1986 shows all aspects of Boesak's involvement in the anti-aparthied movement. It includes pieces that offer analysis of the church's role in political issues, as well as sermons and articles showing deep biblical understanding of the issues at stake. Among the selections are several of Boesak's important recent public speeches. All who are interested in the resistance to apartheid will find in this book the voice of a thoughtful, articulate, and eloquent leader.
--- from book's back cover

I am an avid birder and own all the recognised field guides to birding in the Southern African region. I have used them all extensively and am convinced that the Illustrated Guide To the Birds Of Southern Africa stands head and shoulders above its rivals. I say this for the following reasons:-The combined knowledge of its authors cannot be matched as these are the Guru's of birding in the region with Ian Sinclair undoubtedly the most travelled,most experienced and most knowledgable expert of the lot.His co-authors not being far behind!The quality and accuracy of the distribution maps are, I believe, where the field guide steals a march over other similar guides.The quality of the illustrations which show all the major plumage variations as well as flight patterns makes this an invaluable guide to experienced and novice birders alike.There is currently simply no better book on the market than this one.

Timeless Wilderness was the first book from Gerald Hinde and Richard du Toit to grace my desk. I paged through it with such excitement that I immediately phoned the publisher asking if I could meet the photographers... This book is filled with the most extraordinary images that I doubt any other photographer has ever captured. The first picture that captured my imagination in the book was the hippo's feet... The large aquatic herbivore rolled underwater in an unlikely display of water ballet and Richard du Toit was there to immortalise the moment. The collection of animal interaction shots is simply astonishing. There are shots of conflict between a Steppe Eagle and a Saddle Billed Stork, as well as between Wild Dog and Fish Eagle to name just a few. These are moments so unique they may never be captured on film again.

In writing the text for the book, Richard du Toit really includes you in those unexpected bush moments which one only experiences in a life time of beast watching. His comments show both his extensive knowledge of animal behaviour and his sensitivity in communing with wild creatures.

I do have one criticism of this beatuiful work. Richard du Toit writes magnificently and his lengthy captions left me craving for more. Let's hope that in his next book he lets the ink flow more freely and gives us even more to get stuck into.

I did finally get to meet Richard du Toit and Gerald Hinde. Over a marvellous lunch, I asked why they had named the book "Images from a Timeless Wilderness". Richard's face lit up and he said "There are a handful of places left on earth where you can feel such primal power. This place on the Kwai River feels as though it hasn't changed since the beginning of time. It is the real Eden."

Thankfully, there are talented souls like Gerald Hinde and Richard du Toit to document in exquisite detail the fleeting moments of magic in this African Eden.

This was the first romance novel I ever read. It is well written and provides interesting detail of the time period. Great for beginners to this genre. Suitable for young readers too! I just read it again, after my first read a decade ago and have renewed my efforts to buy other novels by this author.

The author of "In Darkest Hollywood" is Peter Davis

I cannot believe that I am the first one to do a review ofBernard Crick's great masterpiece, "In Defense of Politics."This is a honor that forces me to question my worthiness. Crick so aptly understood that the aiming for a kind of absolutist perfection in any human relationship is dooming oneself to inevitable bitter disillusionment. This may especially be true within the political sphere. Those who indulge in a virtual cult of adoring specific "great men" totally misunderstand the goal of politics. Democracy can never be more than an attempt to search out a workable compromise between disagreeing citizens. A certain agnosticism concerning one's position is often required; a dogmatic true believer mentality may indeed become dangerous and threaten the very tenuous underpinnings of our governmental institutions. We must indeed strive to improve our political process. It is even a moral obligation to do so. Nonetheless, The search for the perfect and virtuous leader to give one's unhesitating allegiance and adoration has always resulted in a hell on earth.

The political process is often yucky, disappointing, and after much effort may leave one at best with a half a loaf result. It has been said that there are two things someone with a weak disposition may wish to avoid---viewing the processing of sausage and the making of human law. Am I a cynic and possessing a defeatist attitude? The answer is an adamant no! On the contrary, Crick and I recognize the glorious possibilities of an evolving civilization premised upon frail and imperfect human beings. It takes incredible physical, intellectual and moral diligence to bring about viable human relationships of any sort. What we have so far accomplished in Great Britain and the United States is of mind boggling beauty and structural effectiveness. Bernard Crick understands the limits of politics and that a democratic society deserves two cheers, not three. Winston Churchill paradoxically said it best--democracy is usually disappointingly awful--it's simply better than all the other political systems devised and implemented throughout human history.

In 1986, Paul Simon's album, "Graceland" focused international attention on the music and people of South Africa. The music was not the mournful dirges of apartheid victims but rather the vibrant sounds of a cultural affirmation. Anyone interested the people and culture behind the "Graceland" sound need look no further than David Coplan's "In Township Tonight!"

Those who might shy away from an academic work, for fear of encountering dry-as-sawdust pedantic prose, will be pleasantly surprised. Coplan's writing is clear and unencumbered. Coplan provides a brief survey of the dynamics of Black South African culture in the nineteenth century. This serves a backdrop to the book's primary focus, Black music and culture in urban South Africa during the twentieth century.

Coplan's account is intersting and exciting, sad yet homorous. Through rigorous research and passion for his subject Coplan provides the reader with a compelling look at one of the most unusual societies of the twentieth century, apartheid South Africa. The reader is taken beyond the simplistic South Africa of media sound bites to a world of complex characters where music is part of life and where, in the background one hears the irrepresible peep of a penny whistle.