Safari: A Chronicle of Adventure [Paperback]

Bartle Bull (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1992

In this book, the author charts the history of the African safari from the first great expedition of 1836, as Cornwallis Harris crossed the Transvaal with an ox-wagon, to the guides of today, carrying on their tradition in the swamps of Tanzania and the forests of Ethiopia. The author tells of the men and women who made this land their home, among them Frederick Courtenay Selous, Beryl Markham, Isak Dinesen and Bror Blixen, of the clients like Theodore Roosevelt and the Prince of Wales, of the animals they stalked and of the Africans who made their expeditions possible. An environmentalist, Bartle Bull examines the ethics of hunting and the apparent dilemma of the hunter-conservationist. Against a background of tribal and colonial history, he documents developments in weapons and transport, in literature and film, in game control and conservation, and conveys the attraction that has never changed: the freedom and thrill of the African bush.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In every line a celebration of man and his environment, written with love and profound understanding." -- Edmund Morris, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

"An irresistibly beautiful book... Bull captures the feel and sight and smell and sound of the bush" -- The Boston Globe

In this magnificent book, Bartle Bull charts the history of the African Safari from the first great expedition of 1836, when Cornwallis Harris crossed the Transvaal with an ox-wagon, to the guides of today, carrying on the tradition in the swamps of Tanzania and the forests of Ethiopia. Capturing the timeless beauty of the African bush, Bull tells of the men and women who made this land their home, from Frederick Courtenay Selous to Beryl Markham; the legendary individuals who brought fame to the safari, from Teddy Roosevelt to the Prince of Wales; and the Africans who made the adventures possible. An active environmentalist, Bull examines the ethics of hunting and the apparent dilemma of the hunter-conservationist. Against a rich background of tribal and colonial history, he documents developments in weapons and transport, in literature and film, in game control and conservation, and conveys the attraction that has never changed: the magical freedom of the African bush.

"Comparison with Hemingway and Ruark is meaningless, for Bull's knowledge of East Africa is profound." -The Washington Post

"Full of pictures and lore...One learns a good deal of Natural History...Bull has collected art work, not often seen, from the era before photography... Their works give the book a special edge." â€" The New York Times

Bartle Bull is the author of the widely praised African novels The White Rhino Hotel, A Café on the Nile, and The Devil's Oasis as well as Shanghai Station. Bull is a member of the Royal Geographical Society and the Explorers Club and was the publisher of The Village Voice. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (May 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140168850
• ISBN-13: 978-0140168853
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,163,852 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Safari, History and Adventure, May 29, 2000

By 

G. P. Smith (Coos Bay, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Safari: A Chronicle of Adventure (Paperback)

Bartle Bull knows about Africa, having spent many of his formative years there among its beautiful places and with some of Africa's more interesting people. As proof that all of this was not wasted on the author, he has written a marvelously detailed account of the history of the most commonly known of African institutions, the Safari. In Safari a Chronicle of Adventure, Bartle Bull starts with the first travels of Europeans in Southern Africa, on their own and for themselves, and shows how Safaris evolved into a vehicle for Ivory Hunters and explorers and finally into a business of its own. During this history trip we meet many interesting people along the way and find out how their African experiences changed their lives. At times the author takes us on some side trips explaining the lives of travelers, writers,white hunters, even Presidents and movie stars before and after their safaris. In many ways the history of the safari is the history of the European experience in Africa and the book rises to this task by giving us a sideward glance at Africa outside the safari business.The book is also a record of the exploitation of the continent wildlife and how the fortunes of people changed as the game became scarce. In all the work is well crafted with Bartel Bull's usual attention to detail and his flare for adventure that lets all of us travel on safari if only from the comfort of our easy chairs.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reads like a novel; a must for any safari aficionado!, August 8, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Safari: A Chronicle of Adventure (Paperback)

This is a very well researched book, chronicling the history of African safari's from the first European safari starting in Cape Town. Packed with fascinating quotes and antecdotes, the book takes the reader on an action-packed safari through the history of Africa. Researching my own book on safari camps, I found this was a book that I continually referred to and was one of two books that proved to be the best of a great many that I read. For anyone who is planning a safari in Africa, I recommend this book -- whether you are traveling in East Africa or Southern Africa, you will find many historical references that will relate to your journey and will enhance your trip.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thorough and thoughtful history of Safari, August 21, 2001

By 

David D. Tong (Burbank, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Safari: A Chronicle of Adventure (Paperback)

The author, Bartle Bull, wrote a very interesting overview of Safari, both in fact and in legend. Combining the histories of famous professional hunters and adventurers along with the mythological "Great White Hunter" of the silver screen, he brings a very candid and personal account based on his experiences in the bush. Highly recommended if you can find a copy, one of the best I've ever read.