A Certain Curve of Horn

The Hundred-Year Quest for the Giant Sable Antelope of Angola

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Nature, Animals
Cover of the book A Certain Curve of Horn by John Frederick Walker, Grove Atlantic
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: John Frederick Walker ISBN: 9780802194428
Publisher: Grove Atlantic Publication: February 20, 2004
Imprint: Grove Press Language: English
Author: John Frederick Walker
ISBN: 9780802194428
Publisher: Grove Atlantic
Publication: February 20, 2004
Imprint: Grove Press
Language: English

“Walker . . . weaves a surprisingly fascinating story around one animal, involving colonialism, revolution, biology, and politics . . . Hard to put down.” —Booklist
 
In A Certain Curve of Horn, veteran journalist John Frederick Walker tells the story of one of the most revered and endangered of the regal beasts of Africa: the giant sable antelope of Angola, a majestic, coal-black quadruped with breathtaking curved horns over five feet long. It is an enthralling and tragic tale of exploration and adventure, politics and war, the brutal realities of life in Africa today and the bitter choices of conflicting conservation strategies.
 
A Certain Curve of Horn traces the sable’s emergence as a highly sought-after natural history prize before the First World War, and follows its struggle to survive in a war zone fought over by the troops of half a dozen nations, and its transformation into a political symbol and conservation icon. As he follows the trail of this mysterious animal, Walker interweaves the stories of the adventurers, scientists, and warriors who have come under the thrall of the beast, and how their actions would shape the fate of the giant sable antelope and the history of the war-torn nation that is its only home.
 
A Certain Curve of Horn deserves to be ranked with Peter Matthiessen’s classic, The Snow Leopard.” —The Philadelphia Inquirer

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

“Walker . . . weaves a surprisingly fascinating story around one animal, involving colonialism, revolution, biology, and politics . . . Hard to put down.” —Booklist
 
In A Certain Curve of Horn, veteran journalist John Frederick Walker tells the story of one of the most revered and endangered of the regal beasts of Africa: the giant sable antelope of Angola, a majestic, coal-black quadruped with breathtaking curved horns over five feet long. It is an enthralling and tragic tale of exploration and adventure, politics and war, the brutal realities of life in Africa today and the bitter choices of conflicting conservation strategies.
 
A Certain Curve of Horn traces the sable’s emergence as a highly sought-after natural history prize before the First World War, and follows its struggle to survive in a war zone fought over by the troops of half a dozen nations, and its transformation into a political symbol and conservation icon. As he follows the trail of this mysterious animal, Walker interweaves the stories of the adventurers, scientists, and warriors who have come under the thrall of the beast, and how their actions would shape the fate of the giant sable antelope and the history of the war-torn nation that is its only home.
 
A Certain Curve of Horn deserves to be ranked with Peter Matthiessen’s classic, The Snow Leopard.” —The Philadelphia Inquirer

More books from Grove Atlantic

Cover of the book Off to the Side by John Frederick Walker
Cover of the book Among the Dead by John Frederick Walker
Cover of the book The Treatment by John Frederick Walker
Cover of the book Wait Till I'm Dead by John Frederick Walker
Cover of the book Twelve by John Frederick Walker
Cover of the book The Zen Teaching of Huang-Po by John Frederick Walker
Cover of the book Satisfaction by John Frederick Walker
Cover of the book The Best Minds of My Generation by John Frederick Walker
Cover of the book Random Acts of Senseless Violence by John Frederick Walker
Cover of the book Now or Never by John Frederick Walker
Cover of the book Carlito's Way by John Frederick Walker
Cover of the book Living Room by John Frederick Walker
Cover of the book Evolution by John Frederick Walker
Cover of the book An Untamed State by John Frederick Walker
Cover of the book Small Fry by John Frederick Walker
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy