Death in the Dark Continent

I bought this book at a local library fund-raiser, thinking I'd give it a try. I'm frankly not a hunter at all, and never will be (I'm actually much closer to the "preservationsits" he less-than-enthusiatically mentions throughout the book). But I must admit two things: First, I liked this book a whole lot more than I expected to; and second, it made me take another look at the relatinship between two environment-loving species who are traditionally enemies, namely Hunters and Conservationsists. This book captures what big-game hunting in colonial Africa must have really been like. Reading these exploits, it's impossible not to feel a certain mourning for what is now essentially a lost culture...killed off by political changes and a changed environmental ethos. Not that I'd turn the clock back if could...but wow, the experiences they had! The term "armchair adventure" was coined for books like this. Capstick was a great writer in the macho-pulp tradition, full of gore, danger, and bravavo. Even those who hate the idea of big-game hunting would find themselves caught up in the sheer awful majesty of it all. Throughout the book, I repeatedly found myself impressed with the obvious love of the land and wildlife that Capstick articulates. It realy underscored the common love of nature at the heart of all outdoorsy-people...something that's hard to see when that love is later manifested in forms as seemingly opposed to one another as big-game hunting and environmentalism. I doubt whether Capstick would have seen it that way, and I certainly don't think that most environmnetalists would see it that way either...but it's there if you look. Maybe that's a lesson for all of us.

Capstick reprises his role as master yarn-spinner of African legend in Dark Continent. The book is entirely devoted to Africa's "Big Five" dangerous game animals; lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo. This hi-octane collection of stories ranks second only to "Long Grass" as my PHC favorite. It is completely FULL of experiences, legends and tales of close calls or catastrophes. Capstick goes chapter by chapter showing us without a doubt why each animal is included among Africa's Dangerous Game. The stories themselves are heart pounding. Capstick can put you behind the sights and in the path of a charging rhino like no one else. You'll be bathed in sweat as he drags you through the thick Mopane scrubb searching for that man-eating leopard or gut-shot lion. Ol' Pete may be the most thrilling safari adventure writer of all time.In addition to the danger, PHC also takes us back in history to the golden days of the White Hunter and relives the world record trophy hunts in each category. You'll hear about giant tuskers with 200lbs on each side, massive 10ft lions, and rhinos big enough to derail a train. I found this wonderful reading. It was like going to a world record trophy museum and getting a behind-the-scenes look at each hunt.This book is a MUST for anyone who enjoys safari legend, hunting, or adventure. Highly recommended. I guess you could say I give it a "Big Five."

It was a revealing book for all who have not yet hunted in Afrika or anywhere else. Revealing in a way that all of my delusion about hunting in Afrika were defenetly broken. If you think that hunting is just siting down behind a bush and waiting for an animal to shoot you are mistaken. How dangerous it really is can be told by the fact that most great hunters were either eaten by a lion or trempelled by an elephant. This is an absolute must for all who love adventure and reading in general.

The first book of Capstick, that I read. A wonderful style of story telling, that grips you and forces you to read it again and again. Capstick has an ability to increase the interest of reader, as compared to some big game hunters, who get more technical and factual. Although he will also tell you about guns, calibres, bullet weights, scientific knowledge, geography etc, but does not make it boring for reader. Capstick's opinion, about most dangerous game and his rating & analysis of big five, is no doubt, very true, and is confirmed by, what is written by the great white hunter J.A. Hunter. I fully appreciate author's efforts and research done, in finding the exact story of the world record elephant tusks.

I really liked this book. I do not remember why I picked it up, but I am so happy that I did. I felt like I was sitting in a bar listening to someone who just came back from Africa. I am a hunter and I now have a new found respect for a lot of the big game animals of the dark continant. The book covers the big five of the game animals and the stories are remakable. This book is a must read for the hunter and the adventure junkie. I made my hunting buddy read the book. After the chapter on the Cape Buffalo he called me to say that he now wants to hunt something that will charge. We both purchased big bore rifles and are planning a boar hunt. Trust me you will want to too. Do not read this book if your wife will devorce you over one more hunting trip. You will miss her