THE HUNTING BLACKBEARDS OF BOTSWANA. Edited by Brian Marsh.

2007 1st edition. Large 4to (220 x 280mm). Pp272. Colour & b/w photographs, photographic end-papers. Tan bonded leather boards, spine & upper board titled in gilt.

One family, a passion for hunting, the bushmen of the Kalahari and the fascinating environments of the Kalahari and Okavango Delta make this book a truly fascinating read. The Blackbeard name was brought to Africa by Francis Blackbeard, a silver and goldsmith from England who came to Africa with his family [in] 1820. In 1879, his son Samuel left to go to the Bechuanaland (now Botswana) as a trader with the Bamangwato people" where the family have stayed ever since. "Dennis Blackbeard was one of Samuel's sons [who became] an accomplished hunter in Serowe. His driving passion was to become a professional hunter running "organized" safaris in Botswana. Between working at his newly built service station, Dennis would outfit and guide South African hunters on hunts in the Kalahari. Both Dennis's sons, Gavin and Ronnie, grew up with their father's love of hunting. Ronnie has his own safari company in Botswana today and some of his hunting stories will make your hair curl. Gavin's son, Luke, grew up amongst the Basari people, the bush people of the Kalahari who learned to track as soon as they could walk. Luke has learned and developed their incredible bush craft and tracking skills and has been described as "a legend in his own time."