Horn of the Hunter: The Story of an African Safari

Doubleday, 1953-01-01. Hardcover. Near Fine/New Facsimile DJ. Vintage Hardcover with New Facsimile DJ, Early Printing 1953 Doubleday 315 pages. Near Fine, in a New Facsimile DJ. Just a hint of shelf/edge wear to black cloth boards with gilt titles and copper illustrations - one corner bumped. Housed in a Brand New Facsimile DJ - now in mylar. No previous owner markings - all pages are clean and unmarked. If not for the bumped corner, I would list this as Fine. Binding is tight, looks and feels unread. (I haven't seen a copy this nice in many years, which is why it deserved a New facsimile DJ.) Illustrated with drawings by the author and 32 pages of photographs taken on safari. A true African classic. Robert Ruark was an American author, syndicated columnist, and big game hunter. After enjoying some success as a writer, Ruark decided that it was time to fulfill a lifelong dream to go on safari to Africa. Legendary Ker and Downey Safaris booked him with Harry Selby, and Ruark began a love affair with Africa. As a result of this first safari, Ruark wrote a book called Horn of the Hunter, in which he detailed his hunt. Selby became an overnight legend and was subsequently booked for up to five years in advance by Americans wishing to duplicate Ruark's adventures. Imagine a two month Safari into the wilds of Africa in the early 50s. He was accompanied by his wife who hunted alongside of him. Gritty descriptions of the chase and the kill are supported by astute observations on the Africa of the 1950s. Ruark had strong opinions on many of the African tribes. Some he praised, others he condemned and he explains why. If you are wrapped in the fog of political correctness don't bother to read this. As close as you can come to actually being in the bush of that time. There are also deep insights into hunting to be found in this book. He is a master of outdoor writing. Highly Recommended. A superb vintage copy in a New Facsimile DJ. LOC SSS-30