The Nile Tributaries of Abyssinia [Paperback]

Sir Samuel White Baker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 21, 2000

This Elibron Classics book is a facsimile reprint of a 1871 edition by Macmillan & Co., London.

Product Details

• Paperback: 488 pages
• Publisher: Adamant Media Corporation (December 21, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402185502
• ISBN-13: 978-1402185502
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,532,604 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the greatest adventures of all time, August 31, 2006

By 

B. C. Richards (Tucson, AZ, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Nile Tributaries of Abyssinia (Dodo Press) (Paperback)

I like to read about exploring and hunting in Africa, authors like Ruark, Capstick, & Hemingway. The reason I hunted down this book is because Hemingway said it was the best book he ever read about Africa. I figured he would know.

I enjoyed this book immensely. Baker describes his explorations, hunting expeditions, and encounters with the natives in experiences that now can only be dreamed about. He talks about his extensive hunting trips with the Hamram Arabs, who hunted elephants with swords from horseback. He tells about traveling hundreds of miles on the backs of camels, and about rescuing one pack camel that had fallen off the side of a cliff by wrapping ropes around it and lowering it to the bottom of the canyon. Even much of the day to day camp life is very interesting, as the party had to provide for all of their needs for themselves.

It is worth noting, that apparently modern readers must be somewhat put off by a supposed tone of superiority. One reviewer indicates this way, and in the version I have, the publisher actually attempts a vague apology on the back of the book. I didn't notice anything in Sir Samuel Baker's tone, but if someone can read this book and not conclude from the narrative that Baker actually is superior to the vast majority of mortals, they must have a better imagination than I do.

One of the most interesting aspects of Baker's explorations is that he had his wife, Lady Florence, with him the entire time. One of my favorite stories is about a night when he was awakened by a gentle tug on his sleeve, which was always his wife's signal that something was wrong. Without rolling over he reached under his cot and got his rifle first, and then his wife indicated that a hyena had just stuck it's head in the door of the tent. He waited a few minutes, and when the hyena took another look, he dispatched it there in the tent in the middle of the night.

If you like to read about Africa, or about exploration, hunting, or high adventure, I think you will enjoy this book very much.

4.0 out of 5 stars The Nile Tributaries of Abyssinia, November 25, 2008

By 

Bob Bronson "Adventure Addict" (Indianapolis, IN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Nile Tributaries of Abyssinia (Hardcover)

The book was a great description of the exploration of Africa during the late 19th century. It was somewhat hard to "get-in-to", by sometimes spending too much time on descriptions of less important issues and too detailed regarding some personal issues, particularly in the early parts of the adventure. Baker seemed to pat himself on the back quite often.

As the story progresses, my interest grew and by the end, I wished that the book had gone farther with Baker's explorations. As a hunter myself and by today's standards, I was somewhat "taken-aback" by what seemed to be just too much "sport killing" of animals, however, one must remember it was a different time and place.

Overall, the book rates 4 stars for it's history, content, and for putting a face on one the great and difficult explorations of the time.