Parker Gillmore Books

Parker Gillmore was a Scottish seasoned world traveller, big game hunter and later a soldier, who arrived in South Africa in 1875. He served as a captain in the British Army during the Crimean War and had wide shooting experience in North America, India, China and Africa. He was also prolific author, writing about his journeys that had taken him to dangerous parts of North America and Africa. On occasion, Parker Gillmore used the pen-name 'Ubique'.

The Hunter's Arcadia by Parker Gillmore (1886) is an account of hunting all manner of game in Africa.

The Great Thirst Land: A Ride Through Natal, Orange Free State, Transvaal And Kalahari Desert by Parker Gillmore (1878). In 1875 Gillmore rode an oxcart from Durban via Pietermaritzburg and Harrismith to Klerksdorp and then north to Zeerust across the Limpopo River into Matabele. He hunted zebra, giraffe, buffalo, eland, elephant, rhinoceros, lion, leopard and antelope. He crossed the Kalahari heading south to the diamond fields at Kimberly. He discusses the interaction with tribes and Boers he met.

On Duty: A Ride Through Hostile Africa by Parker Gillmore (1880) is the account of a journey into the interior to recruit Bechuanas in order to assist in the transport of the army. Meeting with no success and after much suffering and privation, he returned to Maritzburg to find the campaign over.

Gun Rod And Saddle: A Record Of Personal Experiences by Parker Gillmore (1893) is about fishing, shooting various gamebirds and wildfowl, bear and deer all over the world.

Prairie Farms And Praire Folk by Parker Gillmore (1872). 2 Volumes. A fascinating book recounting life on the American prairies in the mid 1800s.

Travel, War And Shipwreck by Parker Gillmore (1880) are tales of adventure including crossing the Santa Fe Trail in the mid-nineteenth century.

Through Gasa Land And The Scene Of The Portugese Aggression: The Journey Of A Hunter In Search Of Gold And Ivory by Parker Gillmore (1890) is an account of a journey through Manica, Matabele and Mashona Land, which surrounds the river Zambezi, during the author's search for big game.

Days And Nights By The Desert by Parker Gillmore (1888) is the sequel to Gillmore's 'The Hunter's Arcadia' and is an account of a hunting trip on the fringe of the Kalahari Desert after lion, gemsbok, wild boar, zebra and a variety of antelope species. The author observes, "As the travelling in this part of the world is very rough, none but strong heavy weapons should be taken by those who propose following in my footsteps".

Lone Life: A Year In The Wilderness by Parker Gillmore (1875)

Adventures Afloat And Ashore by Parker Gillmore (1873) is largely devoted to life and sport in the Chesapeake Bay area.

Prairie And Forest: A Description Of The Game Of North America With Personal Adventures In Their Pursuit by Parker Gillmore (1874) includes chapters on big horn and Rocky Mountain sheep, bison, moose, deer, antelope, caribou, bears, wolves and foxes, wild turkey, wading birds and also three chapters on fishing salmon, bass and pickerel.

Adventures In Many Lands by Parker Gillmore (1879)

Leaves From A Sportsman's Diary by Parker Gillmore (1893) includes chapters relating to hunting and fishing in Canada, the United States, Africa and Australia for bears, beavers, African otters, panther, elephants, salmon, partridge, buffalo, salmon, grouse and giraffes.

A Hunter's Adventures In The Great West by Parker Gillmore (1871) is an account of hunting and fishing in Montana Territory apparently just before the discovery of precious metals there and several years before Custer and the Little Big Horn. There is a little information on the Crow Indians and includes remininscenes of other places.

Accessible Field Sports: The Experiences Of A Sportsman in North America by Parker Gillmore (1869) includes woodcock, bear shooting and some fishing.

All Round The World: Adventures In Europe, Asia, Africa And America by Parker Gillmore (1871)

Encounters With Wild Beasts by Parker Gillmore (1881)

The Land Of The Boer: Or Adventures In Natal, The Transvaal, Basutoland And Zululand by Parker Gillmore (date unknown)

Adventures Of A Young Naturalist by Lucien Biart, edited by Parker Gillmore (1875). Lucien Biart (1829 - 1897) was a French author, travel writer and doctor of medicine and this book is an account of his adventures in Mexico.

Reptiles And Birds: A Popular Account Of The Various Orders With A Description Of The Habits And Economy Of The Most Interesting by Louis Figuier, edited by Parker Gillmore (1873) includes a section on game birds with a little on falconry, in addition to herpetology.

Mammalia: Their Various Orders And Habits Popularly Illustrated By Typical Species by Louis Figuier, edited by Parker Gillmore (1870)