BOOK REPORT

This month, our book reviewer looks at "Dark Safari" by John Bierman

"Dark Safari" has to be one of my all time favourite books. It is an in-depth look at one of Africa's pioneers in exploration of the dark continent. The books shows some of the darker sides of Henry Morton Stanley including his claim to have been the only survivor of a ship wreck when it was later found that the ship made it safely to port and it was assumed that Stanley fell overboard whilst drunk. It also looks into the question of whether Stanley saved or Livingstone or just happened upon a person who was happily doing his work.

On our reading list

• Hatari Sue - The Misadventures of a Jewish American Princess in Africa, Susan Charvonia
  • A fun short novel about Susan and her sister and they years in Tanzania. www.hatarisue.com.
• Lions Share, Jeanette Hanby and David Bygott
  
  • An exceptionally written book about the social behaviour of lions. It is not a typo that the apostrophe has been omitted. This book tells of how lions share the work load and rewards.
• Maasai,  Tepilit Ole Saitoti
  • Spectacular photography by Carol Beckwith and insightful text by Harvard graduate and Maasai elder Tepilit Ole Saitoti. Mzee Saitoti now resides in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area near Oldupai (Olduvai) Gorge. A lecture or group discussion can be arranged for a reasonable honorarium. Please send an email with the dates you would like to meet Mr. Saitoti (at least two months advance notice) and we can see if his schedule will meet with yours.
• Ngorongoro - The Eighth Wonder,   Henry Fosbrooke*
  • Perhaps the world's leading expert on the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Henry Fosbrooke lived for more than fifty years in Tanzania. Mr. Fosbrooke was the first Conservator of the Conservation Area. He spent his last years in Duluti where he died at 88. He is buried in the rim of Lake Duluti, overlooking the lake he had grown to love.
• Savage Paradise,  Hugo van Lawick
  • Hugo van Lawick remains one of Africa's leading photographers. His specialty is feature documentaries including one of his latest films, "The Leopard's Son". This book shows his talent at the still photograph.
• Samburu,  Nigel Pavitt
  • North of the Equator, the Samburu tribe are closly related to the Maasai. This well illustrated book takes you into the tribal life of these people.
• Dark Safari - The Life Behind the Legend of Henry Morton Stanley,  John Bierman
  • One of the 'Great Explorers' or 'Great Exploiters'? This book takes a different look at one of the the men who pioneered travel in Africa.
• Lonely Planet Guide (only if recent edition and if taken with a grain of salt. Some of the information on 'budget travel' may be out of date.)
• Birds of Eastern Africa, Collins
  • Though not the most comprehensive guide book on birds found in East Africa, chances are pretty good that you will find most species seen on safari in this book.
• Birds of Southern Africa, Roberts
  • Though much more comprehensive than Collins' edition, many of the birds shown are not found in East Africa.
• Snakes and Other Reptile of Southern Africa, Bill Branch
  • The best book available on snakes and other reptiles of Africa. Unfortunately the book is written for visits to Southern Africa and some snakes found in East Africa may not be listed. We are not currently aware of a better book.
• In the Shadow of Man, Jane Goodall
  • A detailed study of the chimpanzees of East Africa.

* This book is out of print and difficult to find. If you happen upon a copy, you should by all means purchases it.