The Myth of Wild Africa: Conservation Without Illusion

By Jonathan S. Adams

Book Overview

Western explorers and hunters created and perpetuated the myth of Africa as the world's last great wilderness, a sparsely populated land of spectacular beauty and savage mystery. The conservationists built national parks upon this myth, ignoring the fact that this continent was filled with ancient cultures that have lived with wildlife for countless generations. They took away rural Africans' land and livelihood, squeezing them into smaller areas that could not support their farming methods.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393033961
• ISBN13: 9780393033960
• Release Date: January 1
• Publisher: Norton & Company, Incorporated, W. W.
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.18 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.6" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Love African and Animals? Read this book

This is a balanced perspective and an easy read. It isn't blindly save all animals nor allow shooting of all species. It speaks to Africa for Africans as a theme.Not some heady tome, but a thoughtful approach to how to conserve wildlife in Africa. I read before going to Botswana, my 4th trip to Africa, and found it stimulating and very useful. Particularly timely given the new white colonialism one sees in Africa trying to run wildlife camps, foster religious growth, etc.A must read before your next safari.

Shames them all

This book was eye-opening. I've been reading about sub-Saharan Africa for the past two months and this is the best book of analysis I've read so far. It criticizes some of the other books I've read such as Cry of the Kalahari and Gorillas in the Mist for being short-sighted in their conservation dreams. This book brings up the need to incorporate people into conservation and the failure of vast stretches of land dedicated to being a national park in countries where people aren't well fed. By numerous critiques of programs considered to be at the forefront of convervation and analyses of policy in countries that include Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, Naimbia, Rwanda, Gabon, Malawi, Zimbabwae, Zambia and Uganda Adams and McShane eloquently show that one policy of conservation doesn't work everywhere.If are interested in wildlife conservation this book is a must. If you are persuaded by National Geographic movies this is a must. If you want to gain insight into the types of creative policies needed for wildlife areas in Africa and perhaps other tropical countries, this book is a must.One of the best I've read all summer.

Great examination of conservation issues in Africa.

A great book for anyone interested in conservation in Africa. This is not, however, a book that promotes saving wildlife at all costs but instead looks at the issues surrounding conservation and the difficult issues that are involved in it. The book challenges the western-driven modes of conservation that have been in place for the past century. A must for anyone going on safari or anyone that works in the field of conservation.