Author Topic: John Pondoro Taylor again (Read 1141 times)

Questor · « **on:** September 07, 2005, 03:43:56 AM »

I just got a copy of Pondoro, by Taylor. This is a very good book and I highly recommend it. It's written from the perspective of someone who lived in the bush as an African and related his experiences. We hear so much about some of his tall tales, but the context of those tall tales certainly rings true. This is a good book for reading slowly and savoring.

Questor · « **Reply #1 on:** September 08, 2005, 03:46:37 AM »

I need to add, however, that it's easy to understand why Taylor is such a dark horse figure in the hunting world. The modern sport hunter's sentiment against poaching is very strong, and Taylor wrote much about his experiences as a poacher, making few apologies for it. This probably goes a log way toward explaining why he was deported to England not long after Pondoro was published. What he wrote would easily be seen as insulting by the authorities in the African countries.

Rifle25 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2005, 07:25:46 AM »

Sure, Taylor was a poacher, but big deal, I say. Poaching then is not like poaching now. First off, the British and Portuguese and French governments really didn't have any right to regulate African game in my opinion. If it really a European country's job to set laws on game hunting in Africa. I think not. He (Taylor) also justifies a lot of his poaching by the fact that he helped the natives. Maybe so. There were a ton of poachers in Africa at the time that Taylor was there. He just did everything on a grander scale and left us with some truly brilliant writing.

Like I said, there is a huge difference between the poaching Taylor did and the poaching you or I would do if we walked out our backdoors and shot 3 whitetail deer or if Taylor whacked a few deer in Ireland. The point is that a country really shouldn't have any right to regulate game and impose laws on lands that are not their own. Africa has never been British land. Sure, you could argue that Taylor was a British citizen (was he?) and he should follow the British laws...but the British laws shouldn't have been there...besides, there are much greater crimes than poaching, unless you're a member of PETA. :shock:

Ramrod · « **Reply #3 on:** October 06, 2005, 04:43:04 PM »

Sorry if I upset some of the more urban folks here, but in my neck of the woods, walking out your backdoor and whacking a deer or two is not considered poaching when you have kids to feed. Many have done it one time or another. The idiots jacklighting for the thrill of it are the real poachers.

Robert · « **Reply #4 on:** October 07, 2005, 04:12:59 AM »

I agree with Ramrod. I also agree that Pondoro IS an excellent book and that it should be read slowly savored. In fact...I am waiting for it to come out in paper back. I got a cop from the library and I had to return it before I finished reading it. It is excellent.
P.S. ROBIN HOOD was a poacher. Screw the Sherriff!

Questor · « **Reply #5 on:** October 07, 2005, 04:59:16 AM »

I got my copy as a used book through ABEbooks.com. I buy most of the books I want to own through them and have never had a problem. It's a great service. I paid under $20 for my copy.

After I've finished reading them, I'll probably sell my copies of "A Man Called Lion" (Capstick's biography of Pondoro), African Rifles and Cartridges, and Pondoro.

If you're interested, I'll put a post here. How does $60 for all three sound? They are all in very good shape. Only Pondoro is worn, and that's because it's an old book, but it has the dust jacket and is in what I consider to be good shape. It doesn't have any rips or stains. The other two are as new. African Rifles and Cartridges is bound in green leather and is a recent reprint.

Butler · « **Reply #6 on:** November 07, 2005, 09:18:21 AM »

I bought a copy on a recent trip to montana,,rare to find books like that in alberta where I live,,It really was a nice read.Some good humor in it too about his gun going off before it hit his shoulder and nailing a springbok at a great distance and having the natives ooh and ahhh.,,,And having his double set off both barrels ar once and sending the gun flying throught the air...I really enjoyed it..

msorenso · « **Reply #7 on:** January 03, 2006, 03:07:43 AM »

How many book has he written???

coltnavy36 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 05, 2006, 06:00:14 AM »

three

"pondoro"
"big game rifles and cartridges"-or something to that effect-can't remember name of that one
and
"african rifles and cartridges"

jro45 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 06, 2006, 03:05:49 AM »

I have and read ' pondoro. ' That is an excellent book.So is his other books. Its ashame how he had to live his last days.