A selection of books reviewed by [URL=http://www.talkingtravel.co.za/books.htm]Talking Travel Africa[/URL]
ADVENTURE
Trekking Atlas of the World - Consultant Editor Jack Jackson
Every now and then a book comes along that makes you want to get out of your armchair and explore. And this book does just that! Superbly put together with breath-taking photographs, both route and elevation maps, explanations of trekking terms, and details of treks written in a very friendly manner “particularly tempting for a few hours lying in the sun” this book covers treks in Europe, North and South America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Africa. There is also information on physical fitness, visas and passports, equipment, acclimatizing to altitude and interaction with different cultures. Even if you don’t go trekking, you will love this beautiful book written by the finest experts.
Published in 2006 by New Holland Publishers ISBN 1 84537 179 8
COOKERY
A Kitchen Safari - compiled by Conservation Corporation Africa
Stories & Recipes from the African Wilderness, inspired by Yvonne Short and Head Chef Dumi Ndlovu.
One of the joys of ‘going on safari’ is to sample the cuisine of different countries, lodges and camps. This is a stunningly beautiful book of favourite recipes from CC Africa’s lodges, together with colour photographs, hand written notes to themselves by the chefs, and information on the lodges, the food and wildlife. This book is also a tribute to the amazing chefs that prepare such wonderful meals for their guests, often whilst handling inquisitive wild animals and difficult dietary requests.
I wanted to choose a recipe for our Bush Kitchen this month, but couldn’t decide amongst Citrus Glazed Onions (Zimbabwe), Fresh Tomato & Fennel Soup (Botswana) Chocolate Whisky Loaf (South Africa) – oh, and so many more! This is a wonderful book – have a look at it yourself, I am sure you will be equally impressed!
Published by Struik ISBN 1 77007 0850 (soft cover) ISBN 1 77007 127X (hard cover)
GUIDES
A Backpackers Guide to Lesotho - Russell Suchet
52 Pages of facts, figures and ideas, this well presented guide, now in it’s 6th edition, has everything a traveler to the beautiful mountain Kingdom of Lesotho will need, and want, to know. Covering a variety of routes, what to do and see and where to stay along the way, the history and culture of the Basotho People, useful addresses, costs of accommodation and information on organised tours and condition of roads, with superb photographs that encourage you to visit this small and friendly country
The book is available from Sani Lodge, P O Box 485 Underberg 3257, Kwazulu Natal at R50 per copy including postage within South Africa. It is also available from most of the lodges within Lesotho and selected backpackers lodges in some of the major centres.
SOUTHBOUND GUIDES - this series of the seven
WORLD HERITAGE SITES OF SOUTH AFRICA pocket size guides cover: -
THE CAPE FLORAL REGION, one of the oldest plant kingdoms in the world with species dating back 60 million years.
ISBN 0-9584891-8-1
GREATER ST. LUCIA WETLAND PARK, Africa's largest estuary with eight inter-linking ecosystems, a marine reserve and a major breeding ground for the leatherback and loggerhead turtles. ISBN 0-9584891-7-3
THE VREDEFORT DOME, the site of the largest and oldest meteorite impact structure on Earth turning the Earth inside out and pushing up rock layers that are not visible anywhere else on this planet. ISBN 0-9584891-4-9
MAPUNGUBWE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE, uncovering the myths and legends of a noble culture dating back 1,000 years with archaeological treasures pre-dating Great Zimbabwe. ISBN 0-9584891-5-7
THE CRADLE OF HUMANKIND, the caves of Sterkfontein, Kromdraai and Swartkrans and the ancestral people that once lived there. ISBN 0-9584891-3-0
ROBBEN ISLAND, the desolate island off the coast of Cape Town to which ex-President Nelson Mandela and his colleagues were sent, including an exclusive interview with Mtlakana Philemon Tefu who was incarcerated there for 21 years. ISBN 0-9584891-2-2
UKHAHLAMBA-DRAKENSBERG PARK , the stunning beautiful mountains between Lesotho an South Africa, the single largest montane wilderness are protected anywhere in Africa. ISBN 0-9584891-6-5
Easy to use, very informative with maps, interesting photographs, availability of tours and accommodation, important contact details these guides have been written by well-known authors, David Fleminger, Philip Briggs and Fiona McInotsh with CapeNature.
Published in 2006 by 30° South Publishers www.30degreessouth.co.za.
A 1001 Places to See Before You Die - David Bristow et al
Also published by Struik and newly available is Getaway's 1001 PLACES TO SEE BEFORE YOU DIE. It includes, places to go, things to do, what souvenirs to buy where, what to eat where (i.e. Mopane worms in Zimbabwe) restaurants, vineyards, museums and much more, as well as contact details and space for your own 'Been there, Done that' notes. Amongst the many section is Encounters with Yourself suggesting destinations for even Couch Potatoes and Office Workers! A guide book with a BIG difference, a great sense of fun and excellent photographs this has been compiled by the well travelled editorial staff of Getaway magazine.
ISBN 1 77007 146 6 www.struik.com
MEMOIRS & BIOGRAPHIES
Beloved African - Jill Baker
In 1979, John Hammond said “The story of education in this country (Rhodesia) is one of such dynamism and achievement, despair and hope that I hope it will one day be written” It has been, and by his daughter Jill. A much loved and respected educator, this is a record of John Hammond’s devotion to his calling, his country and fellow men. It is also a tribute to his wife Nancy who loved and supported him throughout, and who gave many of the personal details that make this such a heart-warming story. Beloved African is also a fascinating history of the days from 1935 to John’s retirement in the 1960’s.
Published by Gary Allen, Australia ISBN 1875169865
GIANT'S CASTLE - A Personal History, by Bill Barnes.
In 1956 Bill Barnes became warden of uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, or more commonly known as Giant's Castle, in the majestic Drakensberg Mountains that border Lesotho and South Africa. This book covers a period of 35 years, and brings alive the magnificent scenery, the animals and birds, the unique and often endemic flora, and the history of the people that left their paintings in the caves, the Bushmen. It is a story of men protecting a World Heritage Site, of their often tough but always interesting lives, of explorers and climbers, all told in an easy manner by the man who truly lived it all.
Well illustrated with black and white photographs throughout the text, there are pages of full coloured photographs at the back of the book including some superb images of rock paintings. This is a book for not only those that love 'The Berg' but also for those interested in geology, ornithology, flora and fauna written in an easy manner with many amusing anecdotes and stories of hikes, people along the way and the establishment of this wonderfully rich Park.
Privately Published by the late Bill Barnes, the book is available from his daughter, Allison Gans, mgans@iafrica.com and through book stores. ISBN 0-620-31130-4 Recommended Retail Price R180
A Game Ranger Remembers - Bruce Bryden
Having been a game ranger and colleague of Bruce Bryden, I thought my husband was far better qualified to review this book than myself. “Oh, you must read this book”, “Just listen to this”, “This is exactly how it happens”, “You will love this book,” I was told amongst many chuckles and loud laughter. It must be good!
Well and entertainingly written the book spans 27 years of Bruce’s life as a ranger and conservationist in Kruger National Park. Full of encounters with animals, interesting people, stories of the heroism of his fellow men, an insight into the habits of animals and opinions on management and elephant control, this book brings vividly to life the passion shared by many men and women who dedicate their lives to preserving the wilderness.
Jonathan Ball Publishers ISBN 1 86842 226 7
Backseat Safari - Robyn Keene-Young
This book gives one an insight into the hard work that goes into making such books as Okavango a Journey, as Robyn has ably assisted her husband, Adrian Bailey, though ten years of photographing and recording the mysteries and adventures of the wilds.
Written with humour and some very thought provoking opinions (which we agreed with!) this book complements the photographic journey of the Okavango and brings a greater understanding of life and achievements living in the bush.
Also published by Struik - www.struik.com ISBN 1-77007-285-3
NOVELS
Between the Sunlight and the Thunder - Keith Meadows
In the style of Wilbur Smith this is a “fast-moving, thundering good read”. Keith takes his readers through trials and tribulations of an emerging new Africa. The horrors of the Mau Mau, the turbulence in the Congo, politics and poaching in the early post-UDI days of Rhodesia, the story is full of action, a good dollop of sex, a love story and some evocative descriptions of scenic Africa and it’s flora and fauna. Keith’s knowledge of hunting, weapons and all sorts of ‘manly’ things will appeal greatly to male readers, whilst his intimate knowledge and love of Africa, it’s people and wildlife shines through, bringing the beauty of Africa alive.
Well researched, the book is a blend of fact and fiction with some interesting historical details, excellent descriptions of characters – fictional and thinly-disguised real people – places and events that did occur. This book will take very many people down memory lane, as well as bring to life, in a most enjoyable way, some of the events that took place in an ever-changing Africa.
Published by Rowland Ward ISBN 0 9584939 1
TRAVELOGUES
The Art of African Shopping - Adam Levin
Every once in a while a book on Africa comes along that is truly different, and this is one! Not another 'coffee-table' book of stunning wildlife photographs, but a rich tapestry of African art, crafts, food, fashion and music. Adam Levin has reached right into the soul of Africa and come up with colours, tastes, traditions and a humorous account of where and how he found find such gems. Adam Levin' latest book is one of five short-listed for the South African Sunday Times Alan Paton Award for non-fiction. With superb photography by Wendel Monteiro Fernandes, The Art of African Shopping is a "must have".
Published by Struik www.struik.com ISBN 1770070702
Cape to Cairo - Kingsley Holgate
I first read this book shortly after it was published in 2002 and thoroughly enjoyed it the second time around. These “adventures along the waterways of Africa” brings out the explorer and adventurer in all of us. Having introduced us to the team “Pilgrims of Adventure” Kingsley takes one on a journey in open boats and four-wheel vehicles from Cape Town, along rugged shorelines, through desolate pans and deserts, across countries and wherever possible up the waterways of Africa to Cairo. Written with humour, well illustrated with photos, sketches and maps, this book captures the spirit of the adventurer within most of us.
Published by Struik ISBN 1 86872 694 0 www.struik.co.za
Africa in the Footsteps of the Great Explorers - Kingsley Holgate
The latest adventure by this intrepid family and their “Pilgrims”. With historical facts and photos, superb engravings, snippets of dairies from the old-time explorers themselves, Kingsley takes us on another journey of high adventure and discovery. From Botswana to the Congo, Mozambique and Tanzania, this book brings to life the beauty and secrets of this fascinating continent and the invincible personalities that live in Africa.
Published by Struik ISBN 1 77007 147 4 www.struik.co.za
Okavango A Journey - Adrian Bayley & Robyn Keene-Young
One runs out of words to describe work done by many brilliant photographers who bring to life the African wilderness - how many ways can you describe a photograph of an animal before having to describe another photo of the same animal taken by another photographer?
We definitely ran out of words to describe the photography in this book, after all how many words convey the meaning of 'superb', 'awesome' 'brilliant'? Adrian Bailey's evocative and original portrayal of the Delta includes the whole gambit such as spiders and lizards, plants and sunsets, flying monkeys, racing leopard, and who will ever forget the look in the eyes of that wild dog as he comes towards you straight off the page?
The descriptive text, by Robyn Keene-Young supports the visual effect of this book in every way.
Another good thing about this book is its size and weight. Though 'coffee table' style, it is smaller and lighter than the average big picture book, making it easier to post or to slip into your hand luggage.
Published by Stuik - www.struik.com ISBN 1 77007-271-3
Worst Journeys - Pat Hopkins and Bridget Hilton-Barber
Don't be put off by the cover of this book, which really does not do it justice. This is a superb anthology of "South African Travel Disasters" which include fictional and non-fictional pieces by well known authors and personalities including, amongst others, Nelson Mandela, Rudyard Kipling, Mahatma Gandhi, Herman Charles Bosman, Winston Churchill, Deny Ritz, John Matshikiza and TV Bulpin .
Often sad, but inspirational in the courage and fortitude these people had and wrote about others having, there is little of joy in the book, until one meets Trinity Crimp.
Trinity - do you really exist? When can we meet?
A perfect book for short reads at a time and as a gift for anyone as the subject covers such a wide range of interests, Worst Journeys is published by Struik - www.struik.com ISBN 1 77007 101 6
