Leopard

(London: HarperCollins, 1992) 000219936X. Signed by the author-photographer on the half-title. 4to; original black boards, lettered in gilt on spine; laminated pictorial dustwrapper; pp. 192; lavishly illustrated with pictures by this award-winning wildlife photographer. Some spotting to top edge. Very good condition. "The leopard has the ability to live almost amongst man, and yet elude him continuously. It is so much lighter in weight, but has the strength and ability to overpower him. Its brain is smaller than man's brain, but it regularly confuses him - a fact that has given rise to many legends. For centuries the leopard has symbolised strength, vitality and cunning to many African people, and magical powers have been attributed to its whiskers, claws, teeth, skin and bones. Gerald Hinde is one of the few people to have unravelled the leopard enigma having watched and photographed them for over ten years. He travels through the bush in a custom-made Land Rover, equipped with all the mod cons necessary for a successful photo-safari. … This book is the culmination of all he has learnt despite the obstacles, and the stunning photographs it contains are rare in their depiction of leopard at some of their most intimate moments - mating, fighting, rearing their cubs, hunting and fighting for survival in the harsh bush." .