From Ox Cart to Email: The Kenya Story of Delia Craig

by Natasha Breed

A beautifully written book. Reviews of the book speak volumes. A very unique opportunity to invest in a book which is already in high demand as a result of its very low first edition print run.

384 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2011

Reviews

[Rebecca Stonehill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating account of one family living in Kenya (formerly British East Africa) from the early to the late twentieth century as a patch of untamed wilderness is carved out, transforming into 'Lewa', a haven for wildlife to roam free and flourish. Natasha Breed's memoir is meticulous, encompassing hours of painstaking research, not to mention the months and years even spent with the family and their associates, pouring over old photographs, hearing their tales and building up a picture of life on Lewa and other adventures.

As well as being beautifully written, Breed has done a fantastic job of chronicling the social and political changes of Kenya over the years. At heart however, this is a memoir of one compelling family, in particular its matriarch, the redoubtable Delia Craig, as they dig their roots deeply into this patch of soil in East Africa, leaving a formidable legacy for future generations of both humans and animals.

[Helga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is well written and brings the reader vividly to the scenes of Africa in the early 1900 all the way to current day ! Through her description writing, the writer was able to accurately remind me of the smells, sounds and scenery in my childhood which was spent in Kenya. So having stayed at Lewa as an adult, i found it fascinating to learn about the history of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and the amazing people behind it. It’s a magic part of Kenya. I have nothing but admiration for the determination, strength and resourcefulness that these earlier settlers had and also for the current owners who face the modern day challenges for preserving a unique part of Kenya’s wilderness. Definitely recommend reading this book!