Zambezi Book Company - Specialists in the natural and human history of The Victoria Falls

Zambezi Book Company

Publications




Welcome to the Zambezi Book Company. We are online publishers specialising in the natural and human history of the Victoria Falls and Zambezi River. We publish our titles in partnership with Amazon CreateSpace online publishing, making our books available in print to order online through Amazon.



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A Railway Engineer in Rhodesia

Charles Murray Ingledew’s Photograph Albums (1901-1908)

This small publication results from the rediscovery of three long-forgotten photograph albums relating to railway construction in the early days of the Rhodesia Railway network, in what is now Zimbabwe. The photographs document the early career of Charles Murray Ingledew, an engineer who worked on various railway construction contracts for Pauling and Company in southern Africa and the beginning of over thirty years of railway construction work in Africa. Photographs are presented with supporting notes and show construction on the Salisbury to Ayrshire line (1902), Gwelo to Selukwe and Bulawayo to Gwanda lines (1903) and Deka Bridge (1908) as well as including a set of 20 professional photographs of Cecil Rhodes funeral (by Samuel Turner) and 6 view of the Victoria Falls (by William Rausch), among others.

Featuring over 150 archive photographs, many previously unpublished. [First Edition published January 2022, 140 pages, over 12,500 words].


A Railway Engineer in Rhodesia - Charles Murray Ingledew

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African Odyssey

The Development of the Drewry Railcar (1902-1908)

This small publication results from the rediscovery of several long-forgotten references to motorised railcars operating in the early days of the Rhodesia Railway network, in what is now Zimbabwe. Our story follows what we believe to be the independent development of the some of the earliest commercially produced motorised railcars, designed and tested in Africa by James Sidney Drewry during 1903 and utilised by Pauling and Company, construction contractors for the Rhodesian railway network. Further railcar designs of increasing size and horse-power followed, leading to the formation of the Drewry Car Company in England in 1906, for many decades specialists in the custom production of a range of motorised rail inspection cars for railway systems across the world. Fully illustrated with a wealth of archive images and illustrations [First Edition published November 2021, 68 pages, over 16,500 words].


African Odyssey - The Development of the Drewry Railcar (1902-1908)

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To The Banks of the Zambezi and Beyond

Railway Construction from the Cape to the Congo (1893-1910)


A detailed study of railway construction from the Cape into the interior, focussing on the development of the line to Bulawayo, north to the Victoria Falls and beyond - hailed at the time as the southern section of the envisaged, but eventually unrealised, Cape to Cairo Railway linking the length of the continent. Fully illustrated with over 90 archive photographs. [Second Edition published April 2023, 252 pages, over 80,000 words]


To The Banks of the Zambezi and Beyond - Railway Construction from the Cape to the Congo

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Life and Death at the Old Drift

Victoria Falls, 1898-1905


The Old Drift holds a unique place within the story of the development of the Victoria Falls region, established in 1898 and marking the main crossing point on the river for European travellers and traders. For a brief period this small settlement was a pivotal point in the transport of goods and people across the Zambezi River, before the arrival of the railway in mid-1904, and the opening of the Victoria Falls Bridge in 1905, shifted the axis of activity away from the river. 'Life and Death at the Old Drift, Victoria Falls, 1898-1905' presents a detailed study of life, and death, at the small settlement during this period of great change. Fully illustrated with over 90 archive images and photographs. [Fourth Edition published September 2022, 258 pages, over 87,500 words]


Life and Death at the Old Drift, Victoria Falls 1898-1905

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Sun, Steel and Spray - A History of the Victoria Falls Bridge


'Sun, Steel and Spray - A History of the Victoria Falls Bridge' presents a comprehensive and detailed study of this iconic structure and engineering marvel. Built in 1904-5 as a vital link in the envisaged Cape to Cairo railway north into central Africa, the spanning of the Zambezi pushed engineering knowledge and construction techniques to new heights, literally, for at the time the Bridge was the highest of its kind over water. With over 100 period photographs and illustrations, 'Sun, Steel and Spray' is full of interesting facts, entertaining stories and information detailing the rich history of the Bridge, from conception and construction to its ongoing management and maintenance. This revised third edition builds on the information previously published, with expanded text and many additional stories, details and images. [Fifth Edition, December 2022, 238 pages, over 76,000 words]


Sun, Steel and Spray - A History of the Victoria Falls Bridge  

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Corridors Through Time - A History of the Victoria Falls Hotel


Established in 1904 the Victoria Falls Hotel has played a central role in the romance of a visit to the Falls for generations of travellers, its walls and gardens echoing with a rich history covering the development of a modern global tourism icon. Fully illustrated with over 100 period images and 30 modern photographs, 'Corridors Through Time - A History of the Victoria Falls Hotel' details the changing face of the 'Grand Old Lady of the Falls' and growth of tourism to the Victoria Falls, from humble beginnings to luxury five-star elegance, from the arrival of the railway to the age of aviation, and through colonial administration to political independence. [Third Edition published April 2021, 222 pages, 60,750 words]


Corridors Through Time - A History of the Victoria Falls Hotel

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Footsteps Through Time
A History of Travel and Tourism to the Victoria Falls


Exploring over 150 years of travel and tourism to the Victoria Falls, 'Footsteps Through Time - A History of Travel and Tourism to the Victoria Falls' charts the evolution of a global tourism attraction. Discover the human heritage of this famous natural wonder and the people who have carved their names in its history - from the arrival of Dr David Livingstone in 1855, the coming of the railway and opening of the Victoria Falls Bridge fifty years later, to the development of international air travel and transformation into the modern tourism destination we know today. Fully illustrated with over 100 archive images and photographs. [Second Edition published April 2021, 262 pages, over 84,000 words]


Footsteps Through Time - A History of Travela and Tourism to the Victoria Falls

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Explore the history of the Victoria Falls online - www.tothevictoriafalls.com

Explore the History of the Victoria Falls