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Thanks - I will try sending the Pretoria HR's an email and see if they can post a copy to an address in South Africa so that I can collect on my next trip home.

Maybe many forum readers are not aware that a major new 3 volume 1500 page book about the Kruger National Park is about to be published.
Publication of "History of the Kruger National Park" by Dr Salomon Joubert is expected before the middle of 2007.
It promises to be the most interesting and comprehensive book about the Kruger ever published and covers 7 different Eras of the Kruger National Park. The Eras span more than 100 years.
All lovers of the Kruger I feel sure would wish to learn more and even consider buying when published. The 3 volume book is a bit pricey at around R770 but I think it's going to be worth every penny.
It would make an excellent gift and would be a godsend for environmentally minded organisations to give to their important customers.
In cooperation with the publisher we have started a completely free series of 7 newsletters to alert interested people as to what the book contains.
You can learn more by subscribing to the "newsletter" series at http://www.thekruger.com or go to the sign up form here http://www.vuvuzela.com/historykrugerjoubert/
For example at one stage a decision was taken to offer a bounty of a Pound on the skin of every Wild Dog killed. Can you imagine such a management policy?
Did you know that poison was used to kill crocodiles? This was an attempt to control predator populations. It was thought there were too many carnivores in the Park.

Ordered at Amazon, it's been delivered yesterday. The fool I am, I started to read it late evening (beeing completely alone at home), raining dogs and cats, reading half of the book until early morning and stopped after Wolhuter, heavily wounded managed in last second to escape from beeing the dinner for 2 male lions - WOW.

Already first pages were the pure fun: A jackal with a human (female) arm/hand in his fang... - I'd highly recommend to read it

Dear mods, if this post fits better into chit-chat: Pls just move it ....

Sounds like a "this is where my life ends" read.

No, MM, it's not - that's just a small part of a wonderful report
in which a journalist (Robert R. Frump) is talking about his "investigative journey" about Kruger in 2002 - he collected a lot of highly interesting facts and old stories (such as Wolhuter's life changing experience escaping from lions' fangs with the help of his dog) - why hunters changed thier minds ..... Fascinating.

And of course, it includes the actual Mozambican refugees's situation which, in his opinion, is not known enough to the world; these refufees are "eaten en masse" as per his investigations - but, what is done on that? He's posing the question if human life really is more valuable than that of lions? He's not showing or talking about any massacre details, if you fear this.

His question simply is: Is Kruger the "Eden" like it's shown to the world? Even a Kruger lover should be able to stand that question, or not?

Fascinating book. Can strongly advise it

Reads more easily than the titel suggests. And deals with the fact that Kruger is a fenced in habitat .
Has a few chapters on elephants. Deals with history and many
aspects on the impact of elephants. But doesnt draw conclusions.
In fact its a summary of books and papers from many educated people who has done studies on the different aspects of managing such a big park.

Makes you wonder on water management, plants and has many chapters on the different species of plants, animals etc.
Deals with the whole ecosystem, effect of humans etc.

Thanks, it sounds like a "must read".
I agree thoroughly in terms of the difficulty in managing such an important and challenging area.
I will try to get a copy ASAP.

Bought this book a couple of months back. Is great for getting information on the those small out of the way places.

My only gripe, seems that quite a few of the coordinates provided are far off.

I purchased "A Dictionary of Kruger National Park Place names" on my last visit.

What a gem. The names themselves mean less to me than the prehistory provided.
The authors, JJ Kloppers and Hans Bornman, place the names in the backdrop of a greater pre Kruger history.

For anyone with an interest in history, this is a "must buy".

Dear Imberbe

The good news is that SANParks have commissioned Helena Bryden to translate Dr Pienaars book into English. The book will be available early in 2008 and the English titel is "The past unburied". Helena and her husband Bruce (author of A Ranger Remembers) spent many years in Kruger and are now living in Knysna.

Thanks, Kevin, for the update!

That's good news! Thanks Kevin (and welcome! )

/me writes memo to me, to create extra, extra space in March.

Good news.
If not in SA Santa has to deliver to my doorstep

My "History of the Kruger Park" arrived this afternoon. They are three top quality books with enough reading and information to last a life time! Can't wait to get started!

Sounds like I need to make a Christmas wish list Kathy.