White Hunters:The Golden Age of African Safaris

I had the good fortune to have Brian Herne as my hunter in 1969. We hunted in Uganda, Kenya, & Tanzania. It was the dream of a lifetime. He told stories of hunting and all the people, fauna & flora we encountered.

I found this book to be a fun read. Lots of details about the African White Hunters of the past and some exciting stories of things that happended during their hunts and careers. Some parts that recounted some hunting events with clients were pretty comical! Laid out in a chronologocal manner. Some sections seemed too long. I would recommend this book for anyone wanting to learn more about the characters and some insight on how they went about their hunting business in Africa.

I enjoyed reading the book to the extent that I learnt something new about the age of "white hunters"in Africa. However, the author's writing style is sometimes abrupt and at times repetitive. I was quite annoyed about his habit of referring to people alternatively with their first and last names which was confusing. I had to keep going back to reconnect the dots, so to speak.

On a graver note, I found some inaccuracies in the factual data presented in the book. I have read a lot of information on the Mau-mau uprising for example and the author's version of it was biased and some of it was factually flawed.

I would not recommend this book for anything more than a casual read (if that!) and I would take what it says with a grain or sometimes even a fistful of salt!

If you are at all interested in African safaris from the colonial days to modern (1990's) days, this is a must. A fine introduction to the men who became legends in the bush, and how they came to be there. Obviously not a great deal of detail on any one individual, but does a great job of whetting the reader's appitite to learn more. Along with "Death in the Long Grass" and "African Rifles and Cartridges", I would say that above all, these are the true must owns for any aspiring safari buff. Hearne introduces us to the early hunters and the opening of Africa by the British, Germans, Portuguese, and Belguims. His prose is clear and consise, and the reader will finish with a great understanding of how the safari industry developed and a great plan to read more. I began with the three aformentioned books many years ago, and now own a fine collection of about 60 classic books on the subject. Start here, enjoy it, but be prepred to haunt amazon for more...

This more reads like an oral history - probably because Hearne, a big game hunter himself had direct contact with some of the color cast of characters in this densely written, fact and story filled account of the golden age of safari. Many famous historical figures have bit parts in this saga: Theodore Roosevelt, Stewart Granger, Clark gable, Hemingway, many lords, ladies and dukes, industrialists, famous writers and artists and the intertwining of the backstories of well known books and figures to emerge from this time period: "out of Africa", "born free" Jane Goddal among others. While not by any means a technical hunting manual, there are many 'lessons ' in this book about big game hunting and tracking.
It is also an honest, sober, and often overlooked account of why poaching is so out of control now.

Not a book of hunting stories it’s a history of safaris in Africa. Excellent book with a lot of interesting facts and stories that are backed up with lots of research. Really should be on the bookshelf of anyone that enjoys reading about hunting in Africa

I guess I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, essentially a series of brief biographies about the men who, starting in the early 20th century, began offering their services as guides for wealthy westerners to come hunt big game in Africa. I found to writing style quite dry and very little adventure in the telling, despite the subject material. Would not read again I can not highly recommend this one.

The book came through fine, and it has a very broad perspective of the greatest hunters in Africa. The Pictures and sketches were excellent.

Safari hunters by definition are adventurers, they are a unique breed willing to pit wits with the most dangerous game that play for keeps. I found this to be a well researched and a totally facinating read. It may be because I have always dreamed of going to Africa.

This was a book. It was received within two days in excellent condition. We are are very pleased with the service and merchandise.