Legends of the African Frontier

by David Chandler
(Ross Murphy - Oklahoma, USA)

Of all of the books I have read about Africa or African hunting, this one stands alone in "uniqueness". Basically, it is an encyclopedia of everyone who was anyone European or that is "known" in African hunting history. It is a series of vignettes or biographies on 1200+ key figures in African history.

Chandler wrote this book as a labor of love and gift for all of us who are interested in Africa. If you know a name and are wondering about his/her background, this book likely deals with it. His writing style is not research oriented but very straight forward and easy to read. He tells several stories on well known hunter/adventurers that may not be in longer biographies. He has gleaned a tremendous amount of information about everyone.

It is on par with Bartle Bull's "A Chronicle of Safari" but more depth on the people. If you were wondering about Osa Johnson or a host of people, he tells about them. He has additional information on John "Pondoro" Taylor that I have not read elsewhere.

Another plus is that he includes an extensive bibliography of several hundred well known and obscure Africa related books, from which he got most of this information.

THis book is from Safari Press and is for the serious student of Africa. You cannot call yourself an expert or a semi-expert on Africa hunting or history without having read this book.

You will like it and I give it a 10 out of 10 on the "dogcat" scale for its uniqueness and value in any true students library.