After Big Game in Central Africa

An account of his hunting exploits while leading an expedition sponsored by the French Ministry of Public Instruction, Edouard Foa's "After Big Game in Central Africa" is gem of a book. Foa resists the temptation to give a tedious day-by-day recounting of his travels or to pen a dry chronological sequence of events, noting himself that the moments of interest were interspersed among days and sometimes weeks of boredom and monotony. Rather, Mssr. Foa draws upon his keen skills as an observer and his evident scientific curiosity to create a literary survey of the land -- and time, no less -- in which he traveled. The result is a work that can, admittedly, be confusing for a reader who doesn't have a memory for dates and places as Foa occasionally jumps around in time and space, but which nonetheless excels as a descriptive portrait of Central Africa at the twilight of the 19th century.Obviously well educated, Foa was not just another hunter but a true explorer who was literally studying his surroundings on his journey as part of his governmental charge. The resulting notes that he kept enabled him to accurately recreate his experiences and observations and sometimes the deep feelings they inspired. From the opening chapters dealing with guns, equipment, and personnel to the actual recounting of the hunts, Foa establishes an objective to convey to his readers what his methods were and how effective they proved in practice. But more importantly, he imparts his passion for a life in the wilds and for hunting in particular, even with the inconveniences. Always candid and gifted with a sardonic sense of humor (kept wonderfully intact by Frederic Lees's superlative translation), Foa gives a fascinating and captivating account that is at least as entertaining and even more informative than his near-contemporary Col. John Patterson's "The Man-eaters of Tsavo." The great regret is that his other five books -- including "Mes Grands Chasses Dans L'Afrique Centrale", to which he makes frequent reference in this volume -- have apparently never found their way into print in the English language.

Just a few words to fellow book critic; "Robert Smith from usa." English is the native language of Britain. Maybe a little intelligence next time before you write an inept and foolish critique.

Foa's excellent book (originally published in French) is rich with unpretentious descriptions of Late 19th Century Africa. A rare find in English as most writers of that and later era's were British. His practical descriptions are filled with natural history of a most useful and interesting sort. Hunting tales that any real sportsman will find amazing. Rich and yet humble descriptions by a man who is reknowned for his hunting and natural history contributions. The organization and style are worthy of any writer or readers notice. The text is captivating and appendices fascinating for there bare bones facts.

I especially liked Foa's matter-of-fact descriptions of his hunting methods, guns, camp equipment, etc from the 1890's. His approach seems refreshingly straightforward compared to many of the macho English big game hunters of the 20th century (Foa was French). Foa certainly had some mighty adventures at a time when Central African hunting was not a tourist's game, and just as black powder was giving way to smokeless. I couldn't put the book down. I would like to find other of Foa's books translated to English.