Jock of the Bushveld [Paperback]

Phillida Brooke Simons (Illustrator)

Book Description

One of Africa's classic tales, enjoyed by generations. This is the first time, however, that the life and times of Sir Percy Fitzpatrick's stouthearted bull terrier has been within the grasp of young readers. Illustrations together with text, which is an abridgement faithful to the original story, will enthral children as they share in the exciting scrapes and adventures of a man and his dog in the Transvaal bushveld a century ago.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James Percy Fitzpatrick was born in King William's Town in 1862 and died on his Eastern Cape Farm, Amanzi, in 1931. He worked for the firm of H Eckstein and Co, later becoming a partner, and a director of Rand Mines Ltd. Always active in politics, he also found time to write several books besides the classic Jock of the Bushveld. His first book, Through Mashonaland with Pick and Pen, was published in 1892, followed by The Outspan: Tales of South Africa in 1897 and The Transvaal from Within in 1899. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Struik Pub (July 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0869784773
• ISBN-13: 978-0869784778
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 1.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,560,662 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #89 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Multicultural Stories > Other

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't expect this version to be anything like the original c, December 9, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Jock of the Bushveld (Paperback)

If you've never seen the classic original of this book, with its wonderful illustrations, then perhaps you would not be as disappointed as I was when I got the re-written "children's version" with none of the original illustrations. There are occasional "boxed" texts that provide background material, but it's like taking a Beatrix Potter book (e.g., Peter Rabbit) and rewriting it-- it doesn't work. The original is beautifully written, the language is lyrical and the descriptions of the life and the veld take you right into the setting. This book is a poor substitute. If you can find it, get the original by Sir Percy Fitzpatrick and read it to your children when they are too young to read it themselves; then they can enjoy it on their own a few years later.

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Why destroy a great book?, July 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Jock of the Bushveld (Paperback)

What a travesty; from the cover which looks NOTHING like the Stafforshire that Jock was, to the "PC" nature of the narrative, the book is an insult to the orginal. My grandchildren will read the original.

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A weak book from the oringinal, January 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Jock of the Bushveld (Paperback)

wHEN i READ THE NEW cHILDRENS VERSION BOOK, I was extremley disapointed. tHIS COMES NOWHARE NEAR THE ORINGINAL Book. Which I thought was terrific. You must read the oringinal and not this one.