No Room in the Ark

Undated (circa 1960s). 228pp, plus one section of colour photographic plates, three sections of black and white photographic plates. Quarter-bound in blue cloth under peach cloth-covered boards, gilt publisher’s logo on front, gilt titles on spine. Maps on endpapers with some further black and white illustrations. 8vo. Rubbed spine ends, lightly rubbed corners. Slightly dusty top text block edge, remaining edges just starting to tan. Previous owner’s name on half-title page, else internally neat, clean, bright and tight. Dust jacket has 5cm closed tear at spine heel, tape repair to top front edge, light shelf wear, chipping to edges, mirrors book damage, not price clipped.

A portrait of Africa in the 1950s as Moorehead gets close up and personal with gorillas and other vulnerable species.  His disquiet over the fragility of the balance between nature and human development he witnessed and documented now seem prophetic.