The Mountains of Southern Africa by David Bristow – Photography by Clive Ward

The Mountains of Southern Africa by David Bristow, with photography by Clive Ward, is a richly illustrated exploration of the spectacular mountain landscapes that define Southern Africa. Combining informative and engaging text with extensive colour photography, the book captures the geology, scenery, atmosphere and remarkable diversity of the region’s great mountain systems.

Bristow’s text takes the reader across Southern Africa, exploring celebrated ranges and dramatic highland landscapes from the Cape mountains and Drakensberg to the rugged peaks and escarpments of Namibia and neighbouring regions. Alongside descriptions of the physical landscape, the book touches on the natural environment, human history and distinctive character of these remote and often imposing places.

Clive Ward’s photography is a major feature of The Mountains of Southern Africa, presenting the mountains through sweeping panoramas, dramatic rock formations, valleys, cliffs and changing atmospheric conditions. The result is both a geographical survey and an attractive photographic record of Southern Africa’s mountainous wilderness.

Published in Cape Town by C. Struik Publishers, this is the 1985 First Edition, Second Impression. The Mountains of Southern Africa remains an appealing vintage reference for collectors of Africana, Southern African natural history, landscape photography, mountaineering and regional travel books. Its large illustrated format also makes it an attractive coffee-table volume and a nostalgic record of Southern Africa’s mountain landscapes as photographed during the period.

Condition – Good

Hardcover boards show light general shelf and edge wear. Dust jacket is present but shows noticeable wear, including rubbing, creasing and small tears/chipping around the edges and spine ends. Page edges have some age-related toning. Endpapers show scattered foxing, with some further light age spotting internally.