Publisher's hardcover binding with illustrated dust jacket.
192pp. Illustrated.
INSCRIBED by the author on the title page: "To Michael Scott, with compliments and sincere good wishes from John F. Burger, author, Durban, 28/6/59."
All of Burger's books are hunting classics and inscribed copies are scarce.
Binding sound. Light foxing on the preliminary pages and rear endpapers. The original dust jacket has age-associated wear with some paper loss at the spine crown.
'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".' - editor's note
- Jacket Condition: Fair to Good
- Binding Condition: Very Good
