Books

First edition, first impression. My African Journey, based on his travels around British East Africa in the autumn of 1907, was the first book to derive purely from Churchill's journalism, as distinct from his work as a war correspondent. The work was initially serialized in the Strand Magazine prior to publication in the present form. Churchill's contract was highly lucrative, reflecting his status as a rising star in British politics. The account is highly readable and "bubbles with Churchill's irrepressible interest in everything new, whether it was the thrill of hunting rhino, the dangers of sleeping sickness, or the engagingly extempore justice of the District Officers" (Woods). Octavo. Original red cloth, spine lettered in gilt, lettering and pictorial decoration to front cover in black, blue, and grey. Photographic frontispiece, 46 photographic plates, and 3 maps. Later ink inscription (Wm Watkins) to front free endpapers. Slight sunning to spine, covers bright, contents without the foxing often seen; a near-fine copy. Cohen A27.1; Czech, African Big Game Hunting, p. 37; Woods A12.

My African Journey is the book written by Winston Churchill documenting his travels and experiences during a tour of the British Empire. In this work, Churchill offers his observations on the people, wildlife, and natural beauty of the regions he visited, particularly in parts of what are now Uganda and Kenya.