(1949) 2011 new edition. Safari Press. Long Beach, California. Pp288. Introduction by Negley Farson, map end-papers. Purple leather-effect boards Mint in dust-wrapper.
Notes: "This is the tale of Walter Bell's epic journey into Karamojo [now divided between Uganda and Kenya] some 100 years ago when it was still completely unknown to Western man. Bell's safari lasted 14 months, and during that time he shot 180 tuskers and brought back 18,762 lbs of ivory. Of these, 31 tusks weighed over 100 lbs each, and the largest pair weighed in at 145 and 148 lbs. Nobody has ever accomplished a feat like this, especially amazing considering the logistics of the day." Bell's safari began on the Kenyan coast, and his account leads the reader through the whole process of preparation and the recruitment of porters, a blow by blow account of the safari itself, concluding with his triumphant and heavily laden return. "Not only is this a superb hunting story, but [this book] also offers true insight into the lives of Africans before colonization. Because Bell approached his crew and the tribes he met as equals, we get an unbiased account of what life in Africa really was like in precolonial days." A terrific read, packed with excitement and adventure, and a great deal of insight.
