Richard Meinertzhagen (originally published 1957, reprint published 1984) This is the diary of a British officer attached to the Kings African Rifles (KAR) before and during the Nandi revolt of 1906.

Given the interest in DA in recent times, this offers a fascinating insight into the early days of British rule of Kenya. Full of anecdotes of Meinertzhagen, who was later to gain fame as an intelligence officer during WW1, had few qualms about shooting his own men to enforce discipline. He also endured official censure over the shooting of the Nandi Laibon (or chief) at a meeting, which led to his ultimate removal from Kenya.

The author, who only released the dairy for publication in 1957, himself notes that on reading through the first part of this record I am shocked by the account of taking life and the constant slaughter of big game. He does not try to excuse these facts, but explains the situation faced by Europeans in Kenya at that time where they faced hundreds of thousands of natives with few trained troops and fewer officers.

Don't expect a pleasant read, but this is full of excellent small scenarios, great photos of natives, KAR, and small posts (like Fort Hall), and very good maps.