The Mukamba Tree - June Farquhar Illust. Rose Martin ( Rhodesia Interest)

Hard Back.Books of Rhodesia Bulawayo 1974 1st edition. The Dj has a few nicks here and there but is in generally good condition for its age as it has been protected by a plasic cover. There is some browning and a previous owners name on the front endpaper but apart from this the book is in very good condition for its age. Delightful B&W illustrations by Rose Martin.

"The Mukamba Tree is a collection of 27 charmingly humorous, evocative and often deeply moving stories about life in the remote Gwaai Forest Reserve in the Matabeleland province of Rhodesia.

The author writes gently and affectionately of an unspoilt world of many of the forest animals, some of whom became pets for a time ; of the birds which enchant the veld; of the simple and endearing people who inhabit the Gwaai area; of African custom, superstition and legend; of the great trees of the forest; of her family and her husband's work; of fire-fighting , game-counting and game-watching. Here is the real Rhodesia - rugged, beautiful, still resisting the encroachment of 'progress'.

This book will appeal equally to animal lovers, natualists, conservationists, to those who would like to be reminded that there are still some places in this changing world which have not yet been corrupted by man and his commercial ways - and to anyone who likes a good story.

Prominent features of this volume are the illustrations. Each chapter is enhanced by delightful scraperboard drawings by Rose Martin who is one of Rhodesia's leading artists ad who will be rememberedfor, among other things, the exquisite pictures which appeared in the reprint edition of When Life Was Rusted Through.

The Mukamba Tree is one of those rare things - a simply written and refreshingly sincere book which can be read and re-read by people of all ages. It will almost certainly establish itself as a classic of its kind".