Man Eaters of Tsavo by J.H. Patterson, 8185019789, Lowest Book Price Finder

Customer Reviews:

The ghost and the darkness?

I read this book after watching the film several times, for once Hollywood played down the risks and dangers of the story!!!
Some of the book deals with "sport" hunting, which has little place in the world today, but the tales of the two maneating lions of Tsavo are astounding and well worth reading, the tale of the maneater in the railway carrieage makes chilling reading.

Ripping yarns

I first read this book in 1963 when I was thirteen, and was utterly captivated by the thrilling story. After reading it again, I was just as enthralled by Patterson's exploits. I love his simple, direct and slightly clumsy style, which does not detract in any way from the content. You have to keep reminding yourself that this was written a hundred years ago when the only good lion was a dead one. (Ditto for most other animals, especially hippos and rhinos.)

The Man eaters of Tsavo

I am lucky enough to have a second edition of this book and read it after visiting Tsavo (an arid place) and long before the film came out.
It is a wonderful book if read in the context of the time it was written,(the greens and PC brigades are no doubt horrified)but that is the way it was,you can't change history,unless of course you are an American film director.
As with so many Hollywood "true stories" the film is utter rubbish and bears very little resemblance to the facts -apart from two lions,a hunter and a railway the rest is pure hokum! If the author was still with us he would probably sue.

Fascinating for anyone with an interest in African wildlife

I read this book mainly because I am visiting the Tsavo game reserve in Kenya next year. This book provided a frightening insight to the wildlife of the area.

The book was very interesting and the events that occured made the story quite gripping in places. However, the book is written more as a diary of recollections than a descriptive story. I did not feel that the author added much intensity to the book with this style of writing.

I was initially disappointed to find that half the book is written after the reign of the man eating lions. I was pleasantly surprised when the interest of the authors situation continued following the fall of the lions.

One word of warning to any lovers of wildlife planning to read this book. The book was written about experiences in the late 1800's. The author encounters many different animals and breifly describes there majesty before going into great detail about how he shoots them.

Obviously, attitudes have changed in the last 200 years. If you can overlook the brutal slaughter of the animals, and if you have interest in this field, you should enjoy this book.

A book of every season.

I first read this book as a child in '78 but its still fresh in my mind. Col. Patterson's indomitable spirits in the face of desperation has been a source of inspiration for me all my life. Every child should read this book.

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