This text is a valuable source of information about the Magaliesberg, including the history of man in the area; from archaeological evidence thousands of years ago, to the battles fought between different groups in more recent times. The portrayal of humankind’s history in the Magaliesberg is fascinating, but it does not dominate the book to the detriment of environmental issues.

The extensive descriptions of the fauna and flora of the area inspire the reader to consider the impact that man has on his environment. An entire chapter is devoted to birds and the checklist of birds in the Magaliesberg makes this book essential for all birders. The chapters on trees, mammals, reptiles and amphibians also contain extensive checklists, indicating both the scientific as well as common names.

The Magaliesberg is almost 100 times older than Everest, and the chapter on the geology of the area describes how these mountains started to take shape 2,300 million years ago. Carruthers’ eloquent writing style is easy to read and grabs the reader’s attention from the start. The comprehensive book is based on sound research and is complemented by numerous illustrations and full-color photographs throughout. Carruthers’s love for the area is obvious and he describes the Magaliesberg as a ‘priceless national asset’, which he hopes to preserve with the help of this book. The many full-color and black and white photographs, as well as detailed illustrations are found on every page throughout the book, adding value to the book, making it a publication that appeals to those readers who are academically inclined, as well as those who are amateur environmentalists or historians.

VINCENT CARRUTHERS is a well-known environmentalist and author. He co-authored South African Frogs: A Complete Guide. He served for seven years as a director of the North West Parks and Tourism Board and was Vice Chairman of the Magaliesberg Advisory Committee. He is a past executive director of the Wildlife Society of SA and chairman of Birdlife SA. He currently consults on environmental and tourism matters and is the author of several books on wildlife, history and conservation. He is on the board of the Delta Environmental Centre and the Sustainable Tourism Research Institute of SA.