Please note: In order to keep Hive up to date and provide users with the best features, we are no longer able to fully support Internet Explorer. The site is still available to you, however some sections of the site may appear broken. We would encourage you to move to a more modern browser like Firefox, Edge or Chrome in order to experience the site fully.

Supporting your high street Find out how »
Burchell’s African Odyssey : Retracing the Return Journey 1812–1815, Hardback Book

Burchell’s African Odyssey : Retracing the Return Journey 1812–1815 Hardback

Hardback

Only a few left - usually despatched within 24 hours

Description

The English botanist William Burchell arrived in 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’sfamous 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 war-ravaged eastern Cape, and along the Eden-like southern Cape coast.

Drawing on primary and secondary sources, including Burchell’s letters 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.

Sales points: Fills a major gap in what is known of Burchell’s travels in southern Africa; sheds new light on Burchell’s character and his discoveries; contains information, illustrations and watercolours not published before; coincides with the bicentenary of the publication of Vol. 1 of Travels in the Interior of Southern Africa.

Information

Save 26%

£19.99

£14.69

Only a few left - usually despatched within 24 hours
Add to Basket
Sign in to add to wishlist
 
Free Home Delivery

on all orders

 
Pick up orders

from local bookshops

Information