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African Game Trails: An Account of the African Wanderings of an American Hunter-Naturalist
The twenty-sixth president of the United States was also a world-renowned hunter, conservationist, soldier, and scholar. African Game Trails includes stories about President Theodore Roosevelt adventures throughout East Africa, Belgian Congo, Mombassa, Khartoum, and more.
In 1908 Teddy took a long safari holiday in East Africa with his son Kermit. His account of this adventure is as remarkably fresh today as it was when these adventures on the veldt were first published. Roosevelt describes the excitement of the chase, the people he met (including such famous hunters as Cunninghame and Selous), and flora and fauna he collected in the name of science. Long out of print, this classic is one of the preeminent examples of Africana, and belongs on every collector's shelf.
Travelling the world to hunt and kill dozens of animals including Lions, Rhinos, Giraffes, Leopards, Buffalo, Hippos and Elephants. This fascinating story about Teddy Roosevelt's hunting adventures are not for the squeamish or the politically correct as it includes heart-pounding stories.
In 1908 Teddy took a long safari holiday in East Africa with his son Kermit. His account of this adventure is as remarkably fresh today as it was when these adventures on the veldt were first published. Roosevelt describes the excitement of the chase, the people he met (including such famous hunters as Cunninghame and Selous), and flora and fauna he collected in the name of science. Long out of print, this classic is one of the preeminent examples of Africana, and belongs on every collector's shelf.
Travelling the world to hunt and kill dozens of animals including Lions, Rhinos, Giraffes, Leopards, Buffalo, Hippos and Elephants. This fascinating story about Teddy Roosevelt's hunting adventures are not for the squeamish or the politically correct as it includes heart-pounding stories.
624 pages, Hardcover
First published July 15, 1988
229 people are currently reading
770 people want to read
About the author
Theodore Roosevelt
2,334 books900 followersTheodore Roosevelt, Jr., also known as T.R., and to the public (but never to friends and family) as Teddy, was the twenty-sixth President of the United States, and a leader of the Republican Party and of the Progressive Movement.
He fathered Alice Roosevelt Longworth, a daughter.
He became the youngest President in United States history at the age of 42. He served in many roles including Governor of New York, historian, naturalist, explorer, author, and soldier (posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2001 for his role at the Battle of San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War).
Roosevelt is most famous for his personality: his energy, his vast range of interests and achievements, his model of masculinity, and his "cowboy" persona.
He fathered Alice Roosevelt Longworth, a daughter.
He became the youngest President in United States history at the age of 42. He served in many roles including Governor of New York, historian, naturalist, explorer, author, and soldier (posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2001 for his role at the Battle of San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War).
Roosevelt is most famous for his personality: his energy, his vast range of interests and achievements, his model of masculinity, and his "cowboy" persona.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 28, 2013
A great book, detail the Roosevelt Expedition for the SMithsonian Institute. Teddy and his son Kermit travel almost the length of Afirca in a grand year long safari. They encounter all of the Big 5 adn the lesser aniamls as well. Teddy's observations of native customs and people are quite revealing for a New York raised politician! The Roosevelts hunted with some of the premier big game hunter of the era, Selous, Percival, the Hill brothers etc. This book is not to be missed,it is an important book on Africa but more so on Roosevelt. I recommend it highly.
Some people talk about how racist this books is but he was a man of the time sand he was the 1st President to have a black man to dinner at the White House - he invited Booker T, Washingotn to dine with him
Some people talk about how racist this books is but he was a man of the time sand he was the 1st President to have a black man to dinner at the White House - he invited Booker T, Washingotn to dine with him
March 4, 2011
A very difficult read. The whole-sale state sponsored killing and outrageous racism combined with a narrative style unmatched in its clumsiness left me nearly witless after every session. This is coming from a man that loves a vigorous outdoor lifestyle, hunting and I'm a omnibigot to boot. That being said, the descriptions within of both the animals and there habits are wonderful, and the portraits of the plant life dizzying.
November 19, 2013
Reading Roosevelt isn't for everyone, but if you're going to make the committment, this is the best of his work. A fascinating and very historically relevant account of an east African safari in the early 1900's. Any historical hunting/Africa enthusiast would love this work.
May 17, 2017
If you can make it through the first 200 pages of mildly varying accounts of dozens of hunting conquests (stalk, distance, shoot, chase, kill) then get ready... you've got 300 more pages of the exact same to come.
April 21, 2013
Roosevelt rambles through East Africa shooting and eating everything that moves. :) Great description of Juja House in Chapter 4. The house I lived in 2011-2012.
June 8, 2022
An interesting look at the African plains through the (dated) eyes of one of America's greatest naturalists. Can get a little dry at some points but still a good read.
December 14, 2023
Reading around the occasional racism that comes with a book that is set in colonial Africa, it still is phenomenal. Although boring or repetitive at times the stories and what is essentially a diary of a year of hunting keeps one interested as a reader.
August 14, 2009
Spectacular story or hunting and African tribal life in the early 1900's
April 6, 2016
Most engrossing....
October 24, 2011
Very good book about Teddy Roosevelt and his son hunting Africa.
January 19, 2014
Read this book in Africa, great insight to game in the early century.
January 11, 2022
I find Theodore Roosevelt a most capable writer and a pleasant read. That said this is a book about hunting, and in it he remarks about all the situations he find himself shooting animals 517 of them in total. So be warned that this book is not for vegetarians or vegans. Many if not all of his kills are warranted for the collection of museum specimens or for food, it does sound a bit defensive at times and a bit of veneered justification.
However, I truly believe that this is not where the book excels. It is rather in his descriptions of the locations, the climate, the types of animals, and how they behaved the locals, the individuals he meets where he gives you a good glimpse of Africa in 1910. His descriptions of the activities of the birds, camp life, and behavior of particular animals show that he had a keen eye for observation of the natural world. His narration gives a insightful glimpse into conservation, preservation, and acute awareness of the fragility of species. His remarks about the fate of the White Rhino, are almost eerily accurate, the thinking of the predators of an area as being a nuisance or vermin were a bit off and the world would have to wait until the 1970s to understand apex predators in the role of a healthy ecosystem.
The book does have its cringy moments as well when TR clearly displays the thinking at the turn of the century along the lines of race. He will go into an expose about the pros and cons of different groups of people, and how an area would be suited for the "black race" or the "white race", and the benefits of colonialism and creating productive farmland out of the waste. Besides that archaic thinking and his predisposition of using the term savage or barbaric, you can get a glimpse of the system he uses to describe a people based upon the amount of clothes they wear, how industrious they are, and so forth. I am of the deposition that if you remove many of the offending terms, you get casual observations of how certain tribal cultures operate or value certain, and different characteristics in their members. As the next 100 years will show he quite missed the mark when it came to his anthropologic observations, but if you can get past that you can enjoy this book for what it is, and the adventurous story it tells.
However, I truly believe that this is not where the book excels. It is rather in his descriptions of the locations, the climate, the types of animals, and how they behaved the locals, the individuals he meets where he gives you a good glimpse of Africa in 1910. His descriptions of the activities of the birds, camp life, and behavior of particular animals show that he had a keen eye for observation of the natural world. His narration gives a insightful glimpse into conservation, preservation, and acute awareness of the fragility of species. His remarks about the fate of the White Rhino, are almost eerily accurate, the thinking of the predators of an area as being a nuisance or vermin were a bit off and the world would have to wait until the 1970s to understand apex predators in the role of a healthy ecosystem.
The book does have its cringy moments as well when TR clearly displays the thinking at the turn of the century along the lines of race. He will go into an expose about the pros and cons of different groups of people, and how an area would be suited for the "black race" or the "white race", and the benefits of colonialism and creating productive farmland out of the waste. Besides that archaic thinking and his predisposition of using the term savage or barbaric, you can get a glimpse of the system he uses to describe a people based upon the amount of clothes they wear, how industrious they are, and so forth. I am of the deposition that if you remove many of the offending terms, you get casual observations of how certain tribal cultures operate or value certain, and different characteristics in their members. As the next 100 years will show he quite missed the mark when it came to his anthropologic observations, but if you can get past that you can enjoy this book for what it is, and the adventurous story it tells.
January 24, 2018
Not a book for everyone. It's Teddy Roosevelt so it has to be interesting and he is a fine author as well. But it's a big book. A year spent traipsing across East Africa culminating with a trip up the Nile. The book goes like this. Broke camp this morning. Mounted my horse while by guides ran behind me. Killed two of these, 3 of those and took a few shots at some others on the way back. For the good of the museum collection of course. Repeat this process every day for a year. Oh certainly some tense moments and not to belittle the danger involved when you are carrying rifles with a large enough caliber to take down an elephant (or should I say a herds worth) you really are on the winning edge of deaths' sword. A bit tedious for me, but worthwhile to understand the man and the times. The most interesting chapter describes a native lion hunt where some large number of natives in a line beat the country side to rouse up a lion, encircle him and then take him down with spears and shields. In typical Roosevelt detail he lists the several hundreds of animals killed by himself and his son... for the good of the museum collection of course.
May 2, 2020
Even as someone who grew up hunting, T.R.'s game-bagging exploits can be difficult to read. Also present in this account are the racial prejudices commonly displayed in his era. But, lest I be guilty of sanctimonious, anachronistic judgement, I tried to read this in context. I frequently reminded myself that, but for this man and others like him, much of the modern practices of natural conservation would not exist. I have enjoyed the fruits of his labors many times in the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, not to mention at various national parks and monuments. In addition, despite his foibles, I remembered his role in trying to better relations between Americans of African and European ancestry. If anyone can say half so positive things about me a century hence, vice condemning me for following the mainstream of society in my day, I will certainly be well pleased.
July 12, 2019
No better text exists which you can understand the meticulousness, the scientific drive, the courage, the surprising honesty and deep seated self-awareness of Theodore Roosevelt than this. Sometimes repetitive and prone to cliches, no doubt thanks to its serialized publication which could have been better edited, African Game Trails is quintessential Roosevelt reading, even when it proves to be difficult to read.
October 5, 2020
Got about halfway through. Savagely racist and with very little reverence for the animals he's killing. I got to a point where he is describing with enthusiasm how East Africa will become populated by white settlers and then proceeds to kill a pregnant lioness and I stopped. It was a different time sure, but Roosevelt is a blowhard by any era's standards. Stick to Hemingway.
January 11, 2025
What an amazing journey and story! The things they saw and did are hard to explain. So many amazing tales and Teddy is a fantastic writer and amazing President. This is a must read for any outdoorsman!
May 28, 2025
This book was a challenge to read. It’s good in the sense that it gives great insight into what Teddy Roosevelt saw and his thoughts on his trip. The book is just very hard to read at times. Wish he had included some pictures! It makes me want to go on a safari and see all this.
May 6, 2018
Great Classic Hunting
Really enjoyed it. I liked the hunting stories as well as getting to know the mind of Pres. Roosevelt. A classic for African hunting litetature.
Really enjoyed it. I liked the hunting stories as well as getting to know the mind of Pres. Roosevelt. A classic for African hunting litetature.
June 1, 2018
a look into Africa and the mind of TR in 1908.
January 24, 2020
Great book
January 28, 2020
Very good era time peace
Not everyone’s cup of tea but written well to read as an era time piece! Some people will take offense in words used
Not everyone’s cup of tea but written well to read as an era time piece! Some people will take offense in words used
March 26, 2020
Revolting.
April 6, 2022
Truly great adventure with a great president.
August 29, 2023
Excellent account of Africa during the time of the Scramble for Africa and the big game safaris.
June 14, 2025
Everyone wanting to experience the adventure of Africa before it was overrun by modern man
First and foremost the character and prowess of Theodore Roosevelt is a marvel to behold. Second, his observation of early exploration of Africa is so interesting. His perception of the native population sees straight what it was like to observe the black race in their original habitat as the real savages they were compared to what they have become since that time. The hunting adventures will never be repeated and the courage and dedication of the white hunters to their trade, to Africa and to it's animals and it's development was amazing.
First and foremost the character and prowess of Theodore Roosevelt is a marvel to behold. Second, his observation of early exploration of Africa is so interesting. His perception of the native population sees straight what it was like to observe the black race in their original habitat as the real savages they were compared to what they have become since that time. The hunting adventures will never be repeated and the courage and dedication of the white hunters to their trade, to Africa and to it's animals and it's development was amazing.
Read
September 6, 2011I had a difficult time with this book. I have always fancied myself as a theodore Roosevelt type of guy. He being known as a sort of a badass. His ideas of the white man being the supreme race really put me off. I have been a sportsman my entire life enjoying hunting and fishing I cannot even think of shooting a Elephant. An elephant being such an intelligent animal and its not like a small target. I am glad I read it things were so different in the early 1900s.
September 6, 2016
A book very much of its time. If a president were to publish this today, he'd be near universally excoriated.
Teddy and son hunt their way across Africa, collecting examples of the dark continent's fauna for the Smithsonian...as in they shoot thousands of animals, most of which are still in the Smith's collection, with many on display.
Teddy was a superb writer and this book illuminates in rich detail a world that no longer exists. If you're a member of PETA, you'll hate this one!
Teddy and son hunt their way across Africa, collecting examples of the dark continent's fauna for the Smithsonian...as in they shoot thousands of animals, most of which are still in the Smith's collection, with many on display.
Teddy was a superb writer and this book illuminates in rich detail a world that no longer exists. If you're a member of PETA, you'll hate this one!
Want to read
November 3, 2011Enjoyable so far
Want to read
January 5, 2013*note: own first edition hardcover from 1910 published by Charles Scribner's Sons.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews