AFRICAN CAMP-FIRE NIGHTS (1959) - inscribed by the author

Publisher's hardcover binding with illustrated dust jacket.

192pp. Illustrated.

Inscribed by the author on the title page: "To I.(?) W. Hitge Esq(?) with the author's compliments and sincere good wishes. John F. Burger, Durban, 10th January 1959."

Inscribed copies by Burger are scarce.

The book is in near fine condition with tight binding and clean pages. The jacket, however, is worn and has tape reinforcement along the outside and inside edges.

'Most of the thrilling adventure stories of the bush have been handed down by men who made hunting a part-time business, or an annual outing. Most of these writers can tell of hair-raising, last-ditch stands against the recognized killers, in spite of the fact that they were armed with the most modern equipment.

The present volume, however, is devoted to the stories of men for whom hunting is a daily necessity. These are the men who regularly take the trail, armed only with courage, hope and the most primitive weapons. It is inevitable that with them accidents are more numerous than amongst well-equipped Europeans, and in consequence they have more thrilling stories to tell. But unlike European hunters, the natives of the jungle and veldt have neither the ability nor the inclination to write about their miraculous escapes.

During a life-time of wandering in the African bush the author has recorded some of the most amazing stories told to him round the camp-fires at night. They are remarkable for the simple honesty of their telling.

The stories, however, are not confined to hunting adventures, but Mr. Burger's fascinating record also includes eye-witness accounts of the activities of cannibal tribes on the Ivory Coast, ordeals by poison and water, witchcraft, the influence of the medicine and fetish men, and an account of nights spent listening to the midnight chorus of "the Ruwenzori Ghosts".'