The Worlds of a Maasai Warrior: An Autobiography [Paperback]

Tepilit Ole Saitoti (Author), John Galaty (Introduction)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The author of Maasai ( LJ 10/15/80) now offers his life story: from his birth into a traditional society in Tanzania in 1949, through his youth, education in a mission school, and initiation as a warrior, to his career as a game park guide and ranger (subject of a National Geographic film, Man of the Serengeti ); to his studies in Munich and Boston and at the University of Michigan (where he received an M.S. in natural resources), to his return home, to be received back ritually into his family. Although Masai life has been much described, this personal view is particularly interesting. Accessibly presented, this is recommended for area collections and any library where there is interest in culture contact or the black experience. Elizabeth A. Widenmann, Columbia Univ. Libs.
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press (October 14, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520063252
• ISBN-13: 978-0520063259
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #39,599 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > History > Africa > Kenya

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic! Required reading pre-safari, July 31, 1999

By 

Frank (Stockton CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Worlds of a Maasai Warrior: An Autobiography (Paperback)

This is a fantastic book by a Maasai warrior who was brought up traditionally, schooled in local schools, employed as a park warden and tourist guide, and then able to fulfill his dream of education in Germany and the U.S. Not only does he give us a view of his culture, he shows us our culture through his eyes.
The book is both a well-written view of what the traditional Maasai life is like, as well as their sense of values, and the life story of Tepilit himself and his reactions as he grew up Maasai, and was introduced to modern life and technology.
It will broaden ANYONE'S understanding of this culture, but would be especially valuable reading pre-safari. For instance, on safari you'll see young Maasai in the ceremonial black clothing who have recently been circumcised. With this book you'll understand the full significance of that ceremony.

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars sitting here with the author, December 21, 2001

By 

pen name - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Worlds of a Maasai Warrior: An Autobiography (Paperback)

I read this book 12 years ago and was so moved that I wrote a letter to to the author - something I have never done before or since. I was so struck by his ability to navigate between two cultures that seemingly had little in common. His book is a testimonial to the flexibility of the human spirit and the power of education. Last week, out of the blue, I received a telephone call from the author. Apparently, he had saved my address all these years. Saitoti is currently in the US as a visiting scholar. He will be speaking in various institutions and he has just started writing a follow up to The Worlds of a Maasai Warrior (The Worlds of a Maasai Elder). I have just shown him these amazon reviews. He is sitting here beside me and
would like to take this opportunity to say: "Thank you to the reviewers of my book for such beautiful reviews and to amazon.com for posting such a wonderful display of my work."

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most profound books I've ever read, June 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Worlds of a Maasai Warrior: An Autobiography (Paperback)

I read this book as part of an anthropology course I was taking recently and was totally enthralled with it. Seeing American culture through the eyes of someone from such a vastly different background made for excellent reading. The depiction of the author's life in Africa was exceptional, making a Western reader, like myself, realize how many common threads we all hold with the whole of humanity. I cannot recommend this book enough.