Home › Cape Whale Coast › Gansbaai › Local Stories › General
Blog

The Wanderings of an Elephant Hunter

The Wanderings of an Elephant Hunter

Ian Martin in Pearly Beach

I bought this for R10 at the second-hand book stall outside the Standard Bank in Hermanus one Saturday morning about 25 years ago. It was first published in 1923 and my copy is the 1958 edition. After many years of being out of print it was brought back as an annotated digital version by Big Game Books in 2018.  Favourable reviews of the book can be found on Goodreads.

I regard hunting as deplorable, and when I read that the book is ‘Lavizhly illustrated from on-the-spot sketches by the author,’ my low opinion of hunters, including WDM Bell, was confirmed. The cover drawing, which shows a tiny figure with a rifle confronting a charging elephant of laughably enormous proportions, is clearly meant to demonstrate courage of the intrepid white man as he holds his ground and takes aim. However, I did find the book fairly well written, entertaining and factually as well as historically interesting.

Read the full article here.

(You can read Sell Me a Gun for free on Smashwords HERE.)

To view my longer work as an author, you can find me on Smashwords here.

The Wanderings of an Elephant Hunter

Ian Martin

This is my writer's blog and it's a pleasure to have your company. You’ll see that the site is designed to showcase my writing.

View Profile

What is Xplorio?

Xplorio is your local connection allowing you to find anything and everything about a town.

Watch the Gansbaai Video
Read More

Other Articles

The Leadership Shift That Changes Everything

The Leadership Shift That Changes Everything

One day, you will look back on this season.

New Fynbos Discoveries and Chelsea Flower Show Prep

New Fynbos Discoveries and Chelsea Flower Show Prep

Your Feelgood Friday starts with news of an exciting little plant that was spotted by a member of our Conservation Research team.

Grootbos Foundation
Gans-Berg News - 15 May 2026

Gans-Berg News - 15 May 2026

From community upliftment to local sport and inspiring personal stories, this edition is packed with heartwarming Overstrand news.

Gans-Berg Nuus / News
Recent Functions Catered by Thyme & Lime

Recent Functions Catered by Thyme & Lime

Thyme & Lime has been bringing people together with delicious catering and beautifully prepared meals.

Thyme & Lime
Power Crisis in Overstrand Sparks Petition Against Eskom

Power Crisis in Overstrand Sparks Petition Against Eskom

As the official DA Mayoral Candidate for Overstrand in the 2026 elections, I have taken note of the plight faced by residents across the Overstrand...

Feisty Predator’s “Heels” Under the Microscope

Feisty Predator’s “Heels” Under the Microscope

This week, the raised 'heels' of a feisty predator were under the microscope light.

Grootbos Foundation
See All Articles