THE LAST IVORY HUNTER: The Saga of Wally Johnson
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This book has 213 pages , one map of Mozambique, 24 B/W photos and was published in 1988. Some photos may be said to be gruesome today, like half eaten man by man-eater lion and a lion hanging from his teeth being weighed. "Wally" was born on 8.1.1912 on the high seas between Australia and Durban, South Africa. He had hunted since 1926. 100 lions and 1300 elephants. He last saw his home in 1975, after being thrown out of Mozambique, his home for 50 years. He conducted his last safari in Zambia at the age of 72.
In 1957, Wally survives after bitten by a Gaboon Viper. It took him a year to walk properly and hunt again. In 1935, Wally married Lilly, a German nurse and they had 2 children,'Walter jr' and 'erika'. Lilly died in 1968.
Wally shoots a man-eater. And there were hardships, freeze at night, broil by day,starving to death or dying of thirst." YOU WOULD DRINK ANYTHING YOU FIND IN THE BUSH". Wally shot one elephant with 3 tusks on one side and another with 5 small tusks on one side." AFRICA IS OFTEN A CRUEL, UNFORGIVING EXPERIENCE"
Some of Wally's clients were, Bob Ruark and Squires. Wally was AFRICAN, he spoke portugese and local languages. His gun bearer and tracker "LUIS" was his mate, but one day he was gone! Africans believe in 'witchcraft' (CUCHUCUCHU or TAGATI), extending to hunting and coming of the rains. Wally's other african name was "NYAMPANDLA" meaning ' bald headed'. He may have shot over 2000 buffalos. One buffalo tosses him and severely wounds his left thigh. Poaching is the greatest threat to wildlife in Africa.
Wally tells how at the age of 20 ,he developed malaria and then blackwater fever. After independence of Mozambique in 1975, Wally gets beaten up and thrown out, loosing everything. He gets Botswana citizenship and does safari in Zambia and tries to go to his home in Mozambique (1986), but is not allowed into the country. His daughter and son lived in California.
This book is basically short, very interesting stories of Wally Johnson. The author does warn you about the language. Having born in Kenya, I enjoyed reading this book.
Read and ENJOY.
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This book is a must.
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For anyone who has read this book,I knew Wally Johnson, from when I was a child. My father {mentioned in the book}, Ken Fubbs, hunted with Wally for many years. I really enjoyed this book, as it brought back many personal experiences, and memories, shared with Wally. I am also fortunate enough to have one of the few autographed copies of this book. Should anyone like to read another book very similar to this one, about Werner Von Alvesleven, the man in charge of the whole set up in Mozambique, this book is also available.
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Excellent real life White Hunter adventure!
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Wally Johnson started hunting elephants for their ivory as a very young man and continued the business all his life until forced into retirement by the Communists taking over his country and home. His many adventures are detailed in a most entertaining way by Capstick. If you want to experience the thrill and agony of life and death in old Africa --- this is a must read.
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Africa of old comes alive.
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Peter Capstick writes the story of the last of the great white hunters, Wally Johnson. This books tells the story of the way Africa used to be. It also tells how Mr. Johnson lost everything he owned in a revolution. This is the best book Capstick has ever written.
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Old Africa
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This is a book that takes the reader back to the Africa of old.. This is the Africa of the great white hunter. Capstick tells the story of the last of the great hunters, Wally Johnson a man's man. This is one of the best of the entire Capstick collection. A book that is a must read for anyone who loves Africa.
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