The Lost World of the Kalahari [Paperback]

Laurens van der Post (Author)

Book Description

Series: Harvest/HBJ Book | Publication Date: November 3, 1977

An account of the author’s grueling, but ultimately successful, journey in 1957, through Africa’s remote, primitive Kalahari Desert, in search of the legendary Bushmen, the hunters who pray to the great hunters in the sky.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The extraordinary life of Laurens van der Post is not easily capsulized. Author of of many books, farmer, soldier, prisoner of war, political adviser to British heads of state, educator, humanitarian, philosopher, explorer, and conservationist are titles that barely indicate the depth and breadth of this rare individual. Born in 1906 in the interior of southern Africa, he lived among the people who created the first blueprint for life on earth, becoming the principal chronicler of the Stone Age Kalahari Bushmen. He was also one of C.G. Jung's closest friends for sixteen years. Van der Post dedicated his life to teaching the meaning and value of indigenous cultures in the modern world, a world he felt is in danger of losing its spiritual identity to technology, prejudice, empty values, and a lack of understanding of the interconnectedness of all life on earth. Awarded a knighthood (the C.B.E.) in 1981, Sir Laurens died after his 90th birthday, in December, 1996.

He has written the following books:
A Far Off Place
The Heart of the Hunter‎
A Story Like the Wind

From AudioFile

This first-person narrative about van der Post's expedition to find the ancestors of the Kalahari Bushmen is almost mythic. Nettleton verbally recreates it in a manner similar to a folktale. Van der Post's fascination, awe and respect come forth as the listener gets to know the Bushmen. The enthusiasm and excitement in Nettleton's voice translates itselfÐlisteners are observers to the mighty hunts and the celebratory dances around the fires. Nettleton even teaches some of Bush language by presenting words and their translations, which he reuses often enough to help the listener retain. This beautiful story is almost perfectly told. Any adult interested in anthropology will love this title. S.G.B. An AUDIOFILE Earphones Award winner (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 279 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Brace & Company/A Harvest Book (November 3, 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0156537060
• ISBN-13: 978-0156537063
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #199,166 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #68 in Books > History > Africa > South Africa

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vividly descriptive of Kalahari & Bushmen yet meditative, August 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Lost World of the Kalahari (Paperback)

This was a wonderful book. Although, at times the author brought down the pensive, spiritual level with his complaints regarding the practical complications of his expedition, overall, this book is extremely moving. The only way you could get a better idea of life in the Kalahari is by going there yourself; he describes, in beautiful, vivid language, the plant and animal life of the desert, the variety of cultures, and the consequences of the European settlement. The book unravels like a mystery, with the mysterious Bushman always lingering just out of reach, a figure between reality and legend.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book stirred my imagination..., September 28, 2000

By 

A. Bourne (Pleasanton, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Lost World of the Kalahari (Paperback)

I enjoyed this book immensely. It really stirred and awakened my imagination. At the time, I was planning a trip to Southern Africa, and after reading his book, the Kalahari desert became a must see for me. As well as the Victoria Falls Hotel in Zimbabwe which Laurens Van Der Post mentions in his book, as the place where he joined the other explorers before and after his trips. Great historical book. Excellent vivid and vibrant descriptions of the desert and the bushman. I also recommend "The Cry of the Kalahari" by Mark and Delia Owens.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book filled with love and dignity, October 6, 2004

By 

George R. Beinhorn "gb" (Mountain View, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Lost World of the Kalahari (Paperback)

An older friend of mine met Laurens Van der Post in Australia and described him as "a wonderful man." A large part of the joy of reading "Kalahari," his best-known book, comes from the experience of his transparent honesty and honest heart. His writing style is as wonderful as the man was--unpretentious, without "side," and ever positive and life-affirming. Van der Post did a fine service in revealing how trivial and unconnected our modern traits of cynicism and meaninglessness appear before the Bushmen's selfless creed. This is one of the great books of pilgrimage.