Chris McBride

McBride isn't perhaps the most riveting of writers on African wildlife, but he does a workmanlike job, and in any case the subject matter (and excellent photographs) lift this book well above the 'ordinary'. Albino lions have been known for many years (mostly in captivity), but a true white-haired lion had never been studied in the wild before McBride virtually stumbled on them on his father's private wildlife reserve. The book follows his study of these creatures, and the pride they were born into, over a couple of years. As it later becomes clear, the gene for the white haired trait is common to the lions of the Timbavati Nature Reserve, and many have subsequently been born there.

Although the story seems to end somewhat abruptly, McBride it seems picked up the threads in a later book, 'Operation White Lion'. I suspect the reader would think better of the earlier book if they could immediately turn to the later book to follow the story, and hear the answer to the question that nags at the reader (and author) all through the first book, could these white lions survive into adult-hood? I'd recommend two excellent links for those that can't wait for the answer, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_lion, and http://www.timbavati.co.za/overview/the-famouse-white-lions. Overall recommended, certainly for those that chase books about African wildlife with the same enthusiasm as others used to hunt their subjects.… (mais)