Author Topic: Books on "classic" hunting in Africa... (Read 5473 times)

oaksalad · « **on:** March 01, 2009, 06:54:44 AM »

Hi,I am interested in reading some of the older classic books on African hunting.Can anyone suggest some titles for the must reads?

Spanky · « **Reply #1 on:** March 01, 2009, 11:16:47 AM »

Pick up some of the books by Peter Hathaway Capstick.
Great reading about true life experiences in Africa.

Spanky

WL44 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 05, 2009, 11:14:21 PM »

I'm not sure what "classical hunting" means to you. If it's the 50's and 60's.... Hemingway, Ruark (I think!). And those by the hunters of the period applicable.

There's even older stuff like Selous, Sutherland, Taylor, Bell (if that's "classical" to you). Some of the older stuff is heavier going I find (style was different), but still entertaining and informative. There's also good stuff recently written and some of it by hunters who were active in the 50's and 60's and have only recently had the time to put pen to paper.

There's a lot of great stuff. I've been buying books as funds permit and have not yet read quite a number of them. Check out Zimbi Books and Roland Ward for quite a good collection to look over - you don't have to buy there of course.

KAYR1 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 06, 2009, 03:29:18 AM »

The Safari Press is also a good source. I love this stuff too! Here's what I recomend:

1. Hunter
2. Pondoro J. Taylor
3. Robert Ruark:
-Horn of the Hunter
-Robert Ruark's Africa
4. The Green Hills of Africa -Hemmingway
5. Peter Capstick
-Death in the Long Grass
-Death in Silent Places

rex6666 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 09, 2009, 05:51:55 AM »

I have 3-4 of each by Ruark and Hemmingway
9-10 by Capstick
All good reading even the 2nd and 3rd time.

Skunk · « **Reply #5 on:** March 09, 2009, 06:46:55 AM »

Gee, thanks guys. Now I have more books to buy.

Kragman71 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 20, 2009, 09:01:50 AM »

I've read quite a few of the classics,by the hunters,themselves.
The only ones that I bought,to reread,later,are "Hunter",by J.A.Hunter,and "Pondoro",by John Taylor.Both are well worth buying.
My next book,to buy,is by Bell,the 7mm elephant killer.
Frank

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #7 on:** May 20, 2009, 09:10:16 AM »

I just finished one a while back by Capstick about Selous called Warrior , good read and it ref. many books from Selous's time in Africa . It may give you a list of books you are looking for .
Good Luck

rex6666 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 21, 2009, 05:06:50 AM »

Capstick has several books out about the old hunters.
I don't know if Capstick was a real African hunter or not, some say not.
But very few can hold my attention any better than him.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #9 on:** May 21, 2009, 05:10:51 AM »

Even His Capstick's wife wrote one after his death.
Then there is also Bunny Allen. I will have to check my collection and get back to you with the title.
Took a tip toe reccess from work to check play here. I should now get back.

rex6666 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 21, 2009, 05:32:44 AM »

Yea i would like to know the title and writers name on
the one Capstick's wife wrote

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #11 on:** May 21, 2009, 07:48:39 AM »

Capstick was both a game offical (warden) and PH in Africa or a good lier . I tend to believe he was a PH and warden from all I have read.

rex6666 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 21, 2009, 09:57:03 AM »

Yea i have heard it said on this forum that he was not what he said he was
if he wasn't he was very good at making up stories.
From what he said i a couple of his books, he worked for the game dept. as an elephant croper a couple of times he had to furnish his own weapon. because he
didn't trust their equip. They furnished the ammo. he said he learned a lot about
ammo for elephants in that job. I thing he was what he said he was.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #13 on:** May 21, 2009, 10:25:36 AM »

He also followed up wounded Lion onto game preserves where the hunter would have been breaking the law . Wish Silent was around to ask he could clear it up for us .

rex6666 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 21, 2009, 11:42:45 AM »

YEA!!!!
silent was there and seen it all.
I really liked the discription of the suit he put together for "recovering"
wounded leapards.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #15 on:** May 21, 2009, 11:46:02 AM »

that would have been a picture !

WL44 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 22, 2009, 12:35:16 AM »

SILENT WOULD HAVE HAD NOTHING TO SAY ABOUT IT THOUGH I'D GUESS!

Some who knew Capstick say that he provided collaborations of the stories of many PH's / rangers / hunters and that no, the experiences were not ALL his own. Those I've chatted with are not upset by this at all. I suspect some of the stories are somewhat imbellished too, but then what story that is retold umpteen times isn't spiced up a little for the benefit of us the listenter? I don't think PHC ever said the stories were all his own, or all true. His book "SAFARI - the last adventure" seems to be more factually correct.

To me none of this matters, some get very agitated and call him a "fraud". I think he did more for African huting in the 80's and 90's than anyone else. I'm envious of my friends who were privileged enough to have met him.

I enjoy his work.

Fiona Capstick wrote "The Diana Files". I haven't read it.

rex6666 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 22, 2009, 04:23:06 AM »

I will have to try and find " The Diana Files " Thanks
PHC did on several occasions say that this one was someone elses story
Like you i think he brought African hunting to the forefront better than
anyone i can think of.
I have a book at home buy a younger writer and ph can't remember his
name right off but he is good but only one book.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #18 on:** May 22, 2009, 05:18:23 AM »

Books I have in my African section of the book shelfs include
Allen- Wheel of Life- About PH Bunny Allen and his life in Africa
Capstick- Death in the Long Grass- Stories about the big 5
Death in the Dark Continent- More stories about the Big 5
Safari- About life on and getting ready for a Safari
Last Horizons + Death in a Lonely land - Are reprints of the different articles he wrote for G&A, Outdoor Life, Hunting and more
Sands of Silence + A return to Africa are about Peter on his last two safaris.
Death in Silent Places - About all the big named Hunters of the last Century
Last of the Ivory Hunters - Life of Wally Johnson- Market Hunter and PH
A man Called Lion- the Life of John Taylor - He is .... Interesting. Also the one that came up with the Taylor Knock out scale
Fifi Capstick- His Wife- The winds of Havoc- Story of the life of Adelino Pires- PH and sportsman in the Hay day of Safari.
JA Hunter- Hunter - Don't know it is on my to read list. new Job has me not reading as much.
Patterson- The maneaters of Tsavo- Hunting the two man eaters that ravaged the workers of the railroad.
Hemmingway - Green hills of Africa- Not sure I keep falling asleep in the first few chapters. (had to read it in school and never have been able to)
Short Story - the Happy life of Francess McOmber- Good quick read about Safai.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #19 on:** May 22, 2009, 05:35:37 AM »

Quote from: mcwoodduck on May 22, 2009, 05:18:23 AM

Books I have in my African section of the book shelfs include

What! No Ruark!?

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #20 on:** May 22, 2009, 05:50:06 AM »

And NO Teddy Rosevelt, or Boddington either.
Yet.
You know I have to sound out the words and if they are big I need to keep the Dictonary handy.

Richard what do you suggest?

AtlLaw · « **Reply #21 on:** May 22, 2009, 05:55:52 AM »

Quote from: mcwoodduck on May 22, 2009, 05:50:06 AM

what do you suggest?

Uh, $:-\$ Give up reading?

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #22 on:** May 22, 2009, 06:08:11 AM »

NO as an author, Geek!

AtlLaw · « **Reply #23 on:** May 22, 2009, 06:10:48 PM »

Oh...

KAYR1 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 27, 2009, 07:07:40 AM »

Robert Ruark's "Africa"
TEddy Roosevelt "Game Trails"

Those are some more great titles about the "classic era" of African Hunting

Boddington probably has more experience than any other American alive, but he is of course more comtemporary.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #25 on:** May 28, 2009, 07:03:02 AM »

Silent had alot to say about things , got his name from his ablity to be quiet when moving !

WL44 · « **Reply #26 on:** May 28, 2009, 08:59:03 PM »

"Silent had alot to say about things , got his name from his ablity to be quiet when moving !"

I grew up reading Capstick, so yes, it was a word play....

By the way, I read a funny story by a PH who told of his slightly different experiences, imperfect trackers with regualr names etc.. It was very entertaining.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #27 on:** May 29, 2009, 02:04:55 AM »

Some people read these books looking for a good read , while others want a text book on how to do something .

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #28 on:** May 29, 2009, 05:34:59 AM »

With how much Afraica changes the rules and how each year will change the conditions of what is hunted no two years will be the same and no two adventures there will be alike.
I read the Capstick books and others to get excited about going. I understand that there is a chance of being charged but it is very unlikely that will happen with a Cape Buffalo. Still does not make the stories any less fun to read or excite the fear of having something trying to get you.
I equal it to watching a wild roller coaster as a kid. Hearing other kids tell tales of how this kid or that kid got sick, passed out or got hurt from the G forces. The building excitement and fear of standing in line and inching closer and closer to the car adn finally when the harness comes down is greater than the fear of the coaster.
While i have not yet gone to Africa. I do want to. I have my suspisions that a lot of the printed stories are embellished. (Patterson Exempted here) After all who would want ot go lion hunting if the story was. Day 2 of my Safari: Tracker saw big "Pug" marks of a large male lion in the river bed. After a short walk we spotted the Lion. Huge male with a great mane. We walked down wind of him and proceeded to stalk him. He layed down for a nap. We snuck to with in 40 yards. the PH set up the sticks, I got my 375H&H ready.
The PH threw a rock the lion woke up stood up and I shot HIM! Down he went when we made sure he was dead, I had my picture taken with him. We went back to camp. Day 3: .....

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #29 on:** May 29, 2009, 07:52:47 AM »

That's good !