Customer Reviews

Tales of the African Frontier

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have never read a book quite like this before. It is completely devoid of political correctness so often associated with revisionist history. The narrative is sharp and cuts like a knife. This book was copyright in 1954 which affords it two advantages: 1) it pre-dates political correctness and 2) The stories are told as first hand accounts told by the old timers when they were still alive. I can't begin to tell you how exciting it is to read African history when it's told by those who were actually there when the history was the present and not the past. Whew! What a ride!

This book goes well beyond Mr. Hunter's usual white hunter/safari fair. It is about a collection of characters, Arab, African, European and others who were around at the turn of the 20th century and on into the late '40's. It would probably NOT be considered politically correct, but Mr. Hunter and his co-author Daniel Mannix try their best to be unbiased in telling their tales. It begins with the story of Arab slaver Tippu Tib who had many adventures, including helping Stanley find Livingstone! A nice sketch of John Boyes (who was for a time, the king of the Kikuyu) is included for those who haven't read his own book. It finishes with Dr. L. S. B. Leakey who was as much Kikuyu as white man. I was unaware of his role in the Mau Mau troubles. In all, there are 15 tales of individuals and families who were part of the opening of Africa. As the authors say in the end: "Some were cruel, some prideful; probably a number of these pioneers were unwise, as all humans are. Many were heroes in the best sense of the word. But they all shared in a quality of courage which is the essential ingredient-at any frontier, on any continent, and at any time."

Finally, there is a nice bibliography at the end. I hope to read many of those tomes listed, if I can find them!

A terrific read, and one of my favorite books of adventure. Includes a fascinating account of the Tsavo Lions, and great tales of heroism and hardship. I'm extremely happy to see this classic back in print. Inspiring history, unbelievable accounts of courage, greed, and patriotism. True stories of Lewis Leakey, missionaries, eccentric noblemen, safari hunters, and the founders of Hills coffee! New insight into the Victorian age of adventure. Delightfully written, funny and touching. The best written series of historical stories I've seen.

If there are any men who wouldn't enjoy this superb book, I wouldn't want to know them. The early days of East Africa as told in many instances by the men who lived them and in others, by the men who knew the men.

The story of the man who ran the crew that laid the first railroad across Africa(the "lunatic line"). The opening of Kenya. The British East African Police.The early missionaries, pioneers, white hunters. Story after story of well-written excitement will keep you reading, and bring you back for repeat readings for years to come.

Buy this book for yourself,and another for a friend. And if your friend doesn't like it...well, is he really the right kind of guy?

J.A. Hunter was one of a rare breed of men who moved to Africa in the late 1800's. He made the place his home, married, and raised a family whilst becoming one of the most sought-after big-game hunting guides in the world, in places like Kenya, Zaire, and Tanganyika.[be sure to read about clearing the railroad tracks of wild game] His style of writing is terse, but the first hand narrative is crisp and fresh, as if it happened yesterday.

The chapters are neatly tied into characters and events, which makes for a great book to take-along. There were many pretenders, like Ernest Hemingway and Robert Ruark who wanted to be in the same league as Mr. Hunter....but this is from the man himself. He is never self-promoting, and is quick to praise other hunters, a modesty that is very becoming.

I found the description of that world and it's realities irresistable: you can read all you like about the socioeconomic evolution of the Dark Continent, but this recounting has the immediacy of eyewitness truth, and from a man who made Africa his home the hard way. It is writing like this that brings history to life, and it has become too rare, in my humble opinion.

It's exciting reading, and well worth the price. Don't forget to check out his other book, Hunter, which has excellent stories and makes a good Part One to this book, which could be read as Part Two.

--->For those of you who have read Karen Blixen/Isak Dinesen's books, Out of Africa and Shadows in the Grass, you will recognize some of the people mentioned. The time framework is similar (Mr. Hunter was in Africa before the Baroness, and remained long after she'd gone) --so in all a good read to 'round out a mental picture of the region at the turn of the century.

This is an amazing read. Well written and wild, but true stories of Good and Evil men and their impact on East Africa.

What a great read. I knew Hunter was considered one of the best, but I had no idea how exciting this book would be. Hunter and Mannix relate interviews and spin stories of colonial Africa; short, concise and thrilling. We get to share adventures with white hunters, native tribes, dangerous slave traders, gentlemen adventurers, ferocious animals, stalwart missionaries, poachers, scoundrels and headhunters. A fascinating portrait of a time and a land long lost.

John Hunter was a notable African White Hunter living in Kenya until the Mau Mau (c. 1960). He is generally considered a very successful hunter and a man of integrity. And without a doubt, he knows how to tell a story. Enough detail to engross one, without bogging the flow.

None of these stories are tales of his own deeds. His other books tell his own exploits. Most here are his own slant on well-known African figures, both European and native, from 1880-1950. There is no doubt this is a most interesting period in African history, or that Africa was and is a violent land with both animals and humans involved. While the adventure is stirring, I cannot long for that long past time, although interesting to read.

Perhaps the most important contribution the book made to me is to help me understand the background on why Africa is as it is today, and the enormous differences in the way Europeans view events and the very different view of the Africans. It seems characters from 100 years ago are little different from the events unfolding in many parts of Africa today.

The final tale in the book are the observations of Dr. L. S. B. Leakey, set in the 1920-1950 time frame. Dr. Leakey was the father of the famous African anthropologists. His explanation of the events leading to changes in African population, created by white domination, clearly reveal how well intentioned (and not so well) actions, rendered changes over a 100 year period of time leaving a vastly different land then that existing in Africa as European settlers moved in and superimposed a whole new set conditions. This chapter alone is worth the price of the book to me.

A good historic perspective of the Eastern African contenent its history & progress to the present day;

The book I received is old but in good condition. It is a first edition. This book is exactly what I have been looking for in that it deals with the history, life, customs and conditons of East Africa starting in the mid and late nineteenth century. It gives a wide veriety of very interesting characters. I am very happy with this purchase.