Keith Somerville is a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London; he lectures in Journalism at the Centre for Journalism University of Kent. His latest book, Africa's Long Road Since Independence: The Many Histories of a Continent has just been published by Hurst.
'Part historical overview, part polemic and call for policy change,
[Keith's] book is dedicated not only to those who gave or risk
their lives to conserve elephants but also to "those who have the
courage to question the ruling orthodoxy" that burnings and bans
save elephants. The author's own appetite for questioning - from
the "flexible meanings" of the word "poaching" to the high ideals
and more nuanced realities of NGOs' work - makes for informative
reading.'
*Times Higher Education*
'[A] meticulously documented record of an economic activity that
has spanned millennia . . . Somerville has made a valuable
contribution towards documenting the history of the ivory
trade.'
*The Times Literary Supplement*
'Combating elephant poaching in Africa has become an international
priority, attracting Hilary Clinton, Jackie Chan and Prince Harry
to its cause. Drawing on decades of experience as a seasoned
journalist, Keith Somerville eloquently writes about the politics
of ivory poaching in Africa and shows why we should care.'
*Dr Alex Vines OBE, Head of the Africa Programme at Chatham House
and Senior Lecturer at Coventry University*
'Keith Somerville has written a pioneering study in the field of
wildlife conservation. Based on a formidable list of sources, the
argument is well constructed and superbly expressed. The text will
prove an invaluable guide to both scholars and those engaged in the
struggle to preserve an asset of incomparable value.'
*Professor Jack Spence OBE, Kings College London*
'This is an urgently-needed book that strips away the myths around
the fast-changing scene of ivory poaching. For this task there is
nobody better than Keith Somerville, who has kept a beady eye on
Africa for many years.'
*Jasper Humphreys, Director of External Relations, The Marjan
Centre for the Study of Conflict and the Non Human Sphere,
Department of War Studies, King's College, London*
'Somerville's analysis of the booming ivory trade under colonial
rule is masterly: more firearms, more organized trading, and
greater demand for ivory in the West meant escalated killing. He
shows the more pernicious, lasting effect to be the alienation of
indigenous people from control over wildlife, which happened when
British game officials banned Africans from hunting while
encouraging white trophy pursuers.'
*Robert Eagan, Library Journal*
'[A] devastating and majestic history of the supply chain from
Africa. […] Somerville has produced the best academic account to
date of the history of the supply side of this catastrophic
trade.'
*Joanna Lewis, Africa at LSE blog*
'This excellent book clearly captures the reasons for killing
elephants in Africa, and the perils we face in trying to save them.
The historical and political dimensions of the phenomenon are often
under-stated, but here corruption is shown to be at the heart of
the ivory trade, and human conflicts have provided the arena in
which large-scale corruption takes place.'
*Lucy Vigne, ivory and rhino horn researcher*
'This thoroughly researched volume delves into intricate detail
regarding the historical and current status of elephants and ivory
trading. An excellent addition to an advanced course or seminar on
conservation biology, sustainable use, or wildlife policy.'
*CHOICE*
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