What are you reading?

[fourfive8]

What? No Boddington paint-by-the-numbers, African safari hunting cookbooks cited? Or did I miss it?

I’ve read Hemingway’s Green Hills probably 10 times and certain chapters more than that. My copy is full of penciled-in notes, observations. After visiting Africa many times, I’ve been able to “see”and relate directly to what EH was trying to convey to the reader. He was not writing a safari hunting guide. He was writing to translate the smells, the sounds, the heart of Africa and the African safari to the reader. IMO, Capstick probably viewed EH as a sort of mentor. I can see a lot of Hemingway style in much of Capstick’s material.

Those swallowing all “documentary history” as absolute, unshaded, unbiased fact are deluding themselves….. I’ve learned to read it with due, eyes wide open skepticism.

 

[osne]

Enjoying my favorite cigar and author outside this afternoon.
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Curious as to what books others are enjoying at the moment or recently?

Currently re-reading my own accounts from most recent safari (Zambezi Valley in Oct-24)

 

[RichD]

Finished reading "When a Crocodile Eats the Sun" a couple days ago. Now starting "Death in the Silent Places".

 

[Andrew Short]

I was gifted this book “Bush and Plains” and it has been an interesting read.

 

[Russ16]

Just started The Fate of the Day by Rick Atkinson his second installment but his trilogy on the American revolution.

If you haven’t tried his stuff I highly recommend it.

 

[DieJager]

Finished breakfast with the dirt cult as mentioned earlier it is written by Samuel Finlay. Great suggestion for guys who into books about the war in Afghanistan. It is not a book primarily about war but also about the meaning of the war, trying to have a relationship etc. Definitely no political correct book, think lots of guys on this forum could appreciate it.

After completion I went straight back to Ron Thomson his memoirs about his time as a game ranger in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. Book 2 is named Stand your Ground . I just love his writing style. The adventures and the amount of animals he has hunted will never be surpassed.

 

[DieJager]

Finished book 2 (of 6) of Ron Thomson his memoirs. I really liked this book ( title is Stand your Ground).

Have to contain myself and not reading book after book from him. I like to read another book in between before starting onto his next book. I started Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance." So far find it mediocre at best. It is mentioned in a lot of must reads. Have to put it down after a few chapters.

So to still keep me busy I started on another classic, a hunter's wanderings in Africa by F.C. Selous. Never knew he almost died in the beginning of his exploits in Africa. He got lost in the bush and was 90 hours without water

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

Finished book 2 (of 6) of Ron Thomson his memoirs. I really liked this book ( title is Stand your Ground).

Have to contain myself and not reading book after book from him. I like to read another book in between before starting onto his next book. I started Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance." So far find it mediocre at best. It is mentioned in a lot of must reads. Have to put it down after a few chapters.

So to still keep me busy I started on another classic, a hunter's wanderings in Africa by F.C. Selous. Never knew he almost died in the beginning of his exploits in Africa. He got lost in the bush and was 90 hours without water

I read that zen book in a philosophy class in college. I detest it. Psychotic. Gave me a profound distaste for the overwhelming majority of philosophy. That was 15 years ago but if my memory serves correctly they gave up their kids because they were such nut jobs.

 

[DieJager]

I read that zen book in a philosophy class in college. I detest it. Psychotic. Gave me a profound distaste for the overwhelming majority of philosophy. That was 15 years ago but if my memory serves correctly they gave up their kids because they were such nut jobs.

The few chapters I've read seem to got some rudimentary philosophical ideas in them. Basic stuff. Nothing that amazes me and want to read more. But I will finish the book before I can judge it properly.

I love philosophy, used to read it a lot when I was younger. Now and then I read some philosophy but not as much as I used to. I really liked reading works of Nietzsche when I was younger. He has quite the sense of humor in his works.

You mean the author had to give up his kids? That is some tough stuff. What did you like in the philosophy department?

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

The few chapters I've read seem to got some rudimentary philosophical ideas in them. Basic stuff. Nothing that amazes me and want to read more. But I will finish the book before I can judge it properly.

I love philosophy, used to read it a lot when I was younger. Now and then I read some philosophy but not as much as I used to. I really liked reading works of Nietzsche when I was younger. He has quite the sense of humor in his works.

You mean the author had to give up his kids? That is some tough stuff. What did you like in the philosophy department?

I’ll be curious to see what you think of it. I could be wrong and just have gotten the wrong impression or may just have a bad take on it.

That was the impression I got. Like I said it’s been 15 years since I read it.

I honestly don’t read philosophy that much. Or that often I should say. I took the course as part of the honors program, it may have been the best worst choice out of courses available at that time. That said, I do enjoy reading serious authors who address serious issues and big ideas in a thought provoking way. Humor helps. The zen book just struck me as people who were tied up in their own heads and couldn’t overcome it. I don’t have any respect for that. It shows they’re not worth listening to as they’re not a serious person or a mature, thinking (more like overthinking) adult human. I seem to have a vague memory of thinking they needed to be committed. Heck, they may have said something to that effect.

Honestly, it all could’ve gone over my head too haha.

 

[Firebird]

Just finished “Life and Death in Africa” by Mark Ross. Not what I was expecting but an interesting compilation of experiences from the life of a (photographic) safari guide. He had a horrific ordeal with rebels turned kidnappers/murderers, which he covers graphically. A very good writer and lots of interesting experiences shared.

 

[MS 9x56]

Hunting the north country by Lamar Underwood.

 

[KoedoePoesPienk]

Memories of a Game Ranger

Memories of a Game-Ranger

www.goodreads.com

It’s very good

 

[Firebird]

-stabbed a lion to death while he was in its mouth-a great story! I imagine he had lots of adventures to share, I’ll have to find a copy of that one.

 

[KoedoePoesPienk]

-stabbed a lion to death while he was in its mouth-a great story! I imagine he had lots of adventures to share, I’ll have to find a copy of that one.

Highly recommended, there is so much of the old history of the KNP that he tells in the book that very few people are aware of today.

 

[cmk]

Just finished Selous' A Hunters Wanderings in Africa, an 1893 edition I picked up at an auction some time ago. Only read it as an e-book before, and this was much nicer.

Currently re-reading Raymond Chandlers The Lady in the Lake.

Next up might be In Patagonia by Bruce Chatwin. I probably re-read this book every 3-4 years.

 

[Firebird]

Finished one, getting behind on others-don’t have as much time to read in the summer. . .
Might need to gift some of the finished books to interested parties

 

[wvhunt]

Right now it's Big Game Hunting and Collecting in East Africia by Kalman Kittenberger.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

Odyssey Moscow by Mike Calvey. Mike and I worked together right out of college at Salomon Brothers. We just missed Michael Lewis but his book "Liar's Poker" came out the 3rd month we were there.

Mike's book is a page turner.

 

[Hunt anything]

Under the African Sun by Dr Frank Hobbes.

Read it before and it’s a pretty good read , mostly about East Africa with a little Botswana thrown in.