Apes and Ivory. By Joy Packer. (Eyre & Spottiswoode. 21s.)
LADY PACKER is one of those gifted people who can turn a diary into an entertaining descriptive book without the tedium that so often accompanies such writing. In 1950 her husband was appointed Commander-in- Chief, South Atlantic, and the author found herself returning to her homeland, South Africa, for two years. During that time she travelled extensively in Africa, observing the customs, politics and culture of the Africans, which she records accurately and without prejudice. She also met many interesting and varied people. One's chief impression of Africa is a country of rich variety, colour- ful, vivid, and of infinite texture, and Lady Packer has done justice to all that she saw. The background to this personal odyssey is the Navy, but it is never intrusive. This book is a sensitive and most ably written record of time well spent in a fascinating continent.
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