Burchell's African Odyssey - Revealing The Return Journey 1812-1815 (Hardcover)

The English naturalist William Burchell set off from Cape Town in June 1811 to explore the flora and fauna of the vast southern African interior. Over a four-year period, and travelling in a custom-built ox wagon, he amassed an astonishing 63 000 specimens of plants, bulbs, insects, reptiles and mammals – many not previously documented for science – as well as over 500 paintings and illustrations.

While the outbound trek is well described in Burchell’s famous Travels in the Interior of Southern Africa, little has been published about the challenges and discoveries made on his return journey to Cape Town, from 1812–1815. This pioneering book traces the homeward leg of Burchell’s epic odyssey – through the arid northern Cape, the Great Karoo, the warravaged eastern Cape, and along the Eden-like southern Cape coast.

Drawing on primary and secondary sources, including Burchell’s letters, his handwritten records archived at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the detailed map he created to record his trek, the authors have crafted a thought-provoking and beautifully illustrated account that encompasses both the genius of the man and the natural history of the region that so intrigued him.

General

Imprint:	Struik Nature
Country of origin:	South Africa
Release date:	September 2022
Authors:	Roger Stewart • Marion Whitehead
Dimensions:	227 x 170 x 32mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Hardcover
Pages:	240
ISBN-13:	978-1-77584-815-8
Categories:	Books > Language & Literature > Biography & autobiography > General Books > Sport & Leisure > Natural history, country life & pets > The countryside, country life Books > Humanities > History > History of specific subjects > Local history Books > Sport & Leisure > Natural history, country life & pets > Plant life: general > General Books > History > History of specific subjects > Local history Books > Biography > General Books > Local Author Showcase > Biography Books > Local Author Showcase > Sport & Leisure Books > Promotion > Struik > Natural History Books > Promotion > Green Friday > Natural History
LSN:	1-77584-815-9
Barcode:	9781775848158

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Review This Product

Sat, 1 Oct 2022 | Review by: Carla B.

Beautiful book with maps and photos. I've not yet read it but it's beautiful and it will be an adventure from one's armchair of brave.people who have gone before us.

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A wonderful book

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 | Review by: Ilana S.

I'm absolutely savouring this book. It is beautifully created, extremely well written and researched and allows one to get to know William Burchell and learn about a very different time to one's own.

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