Predator: Life and Death in the African Bush

This book was very informative about what to bring and expect on a safari. So much so that we went on a African Safari with the author Mark Ross this past summer. It was the trip of a lifetime and Mark Ross is brillant. It was truly the best trip ever.

Normally books on African predators are full of pictures with little text or the reverse. This book contains an excellent balance of both, wonderful photographs illustrating a very interestingly written text. I was very struck with the quality of the writing and how easy it was to navigate the book. I was also pleased that the author is so knowledgeable about the habits of these animals, that he was able to debunk some of the more popular myths about the species. The photography was first rate.... I was extermely pleased with my acquisition.

I originally purchased this book after skimming it in a store (the pictures sold me). However, after reading it I think it's likely one of the best books out there about African predators and would be really useful if one is planning a safari in Africa. The book is geared towards someone that is going on safari as it covers many aspects of the animal; all of which help to give the observer a better understanding of what they are seeing. Despite this leaning towards future observers the book would be interesting to anyone that is fascinated by the animals featured in it (leopards, cheetahs, lions, hyenas, and crocodiles). If you are like me and watch every show on TV about African predators (that was made within the last 7 years) then the book probably does not contain much that you have not heard before, but if you only have seen a few shows or done a little bit of reading then the book will contain some new information. If you are an African predator junkie then the pictures alone will make the purchase worth it. I also have to mention how well the book is organized and written. It's starts off with a typical day/s for the animal then goes into some of the biology and anatomy and then goes into behavior of the animal; all of which is very useful in understanding the animal and even more so if you are going to observe the animal in the wild. Also, in the reading useful tips are made about how to find and identify the predators. I only have two complaints. First, there is nothing about the African wild dog. I am assuming that this is due to their rarity and most people do not encounter them on safari. Second, I would like the book to have been longer (it's about 205 pages), but being realistic the book is a great deal (I would have easily paid over $40 for it) and if it wasn't such a good book 200 pages would have been way more than enough. Overall, I don't think National Geographic could have done a better job. If you want an informative book that is realistic and contains some great realistic photos get this book. If you don't care about the reading and you want a book that just has pictures of the major African animals then consider "On This Earth: Photographs from East Africa" by Nick Brandt (I've looked at and liked both but bought "Predator....").

A great book for all to read who have either been or considering doing a safari in Africa. I have made 2 trips to Africa, 8 weeks each time and found this book informative, you learn things you never actually stopped to notice or even think about! Enjoy the read!