A powerful 1955 novel by Robert Ruark exploring friendship, race, and change in colonial Kenya during the Mau Mau uprising.
Details
• Measurements: 9 x 6 x 2 inches
• Format: Hardcover with dust jacket
• Page count: 566 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday & Company, Inc., Garden City, N.Y., 1955
• Author: Robert Ruark
• Illustrator: Daniel Schwartz (drawings and jacket design)
• Library of Congress Card Number: 55-7158
• Genre: Historical Fiction
• Edition: Book-of-the-Month Club Selection
• Setting: Kenya during the Mau Mau Rebellion
• Suggested uses: Reading, historical study, display, or thoughtful gift
• Printed in the United States by Kingsport Press, Kingsport, Tennessee
Condition Grade: Good
Notes: Clean pages and tight binding. Dust jacket shows moderate wear with chips and tears at edges and corners, and tape repair visible on the back cover. Boards and spine in very good condition; pages lightly age-toned consistent with age.
See all photos for detail—sold as pictured.
Condition Grade Key
Near Fine: minimal wear; tight; clean.
Very Good: light wear; clean text; minor flaws.
Good: noticeable wear; sound reading copy; some marks.
Fair: heavy wear; complete but worn; priced accordingly.
Collector’s Note
Something of Value is one of Robert Ruark’s most acclaimed works, offering a vivid and complex portrayal of Kenya during the Mau Mau Rebellion. This 1955 Book-of-the-Month Club edition captures Ruark’s journalistic insight and emotional depth.
The novel’s exploration of colonial tensions and cultural identity made it both a bestseller and a subject of debate in its day—an enduring classic for collectors of mid-century literature and African historical fiction.
About the Author Robert Ruark
Robert Ruark (1915–1965) was an American author and journalist known for his novels, columns, and essays on hunting, travel, and social issues. His firsthand experience in Africa informed much of his fiction, including Something of Value and Horn of the Hunter.
Perfect for collectors of classic adventure and African history novels.
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Disclaimer
All items are vintage and may show signs of age, wear, or use consistent with their history. Photos show the exact condition of each piece—please review them carefully, as they are part of the description. While I do my best to capture colors accurately, your monitor or device screen may display colors slightly differently from the actual item.
Please Note:
These pieces come from estate collections and have been surface cleaned. You may wish to perform additional cleaning depending on your preference.
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