Lt. Col. J.H. Patterson's "Man-Eaters of Tsavo"

[FerRGarza]

Not too long ago I read Lt. Col. J.H. Patterson's "Man-Eaters of Tsavo". This book for me was an excellent read. His way of writing really makes the story come alive and takes you back in time to Kenya in 1898 with a pith helmet and on the work site of the Uganda Railway with all the clatter and "pings" as the workers tools strike metal, rock, and earth. The details that are laid out make the man-eaters even more ferocious than one could imagine. At some point in his story, some of his workers actually plan to kill him in order to stop the construction of the railway due to the numerous attacks on the camp grounds by these lions. The steps taken to prevent these beasts from getting to them are amazing. The night inside the rail car, and the nights Patterson was sitting atop his makeshift blind were some of the many very exciting parts. I had a hard time putting this book down. The movie "Ghost in the Darkness" is only the tip of the iceberg as to details and action this amazing book has to offer!

For those of us who have read this great book, let us know your opinion so that other members who have not yet picked this book up get a feel for the adventure they are missing out on.


Hope you all enjoy the book as much as I did.

Warmest Regards,
-Fer

 

[postoak]

I was more impressed with the man himself being so young (31-31) and yet in charge of such a huge project. As a lion killer he was definitely an amateur but the book was certainly interesting.

 

[FerRGarza]

I was more impressed with the man himself being so young (31-31) and yet in charge of such a huge project. As a lion killer he was definitely an amateur but the book was certainly interesting.

Very True postoak! most was trial and error when it came to the Lions. I agree that he was such a young person in charge of a mega project. The "Lunatic Express" was the nickname of the project.

Thanks for your input!! really appreciate it!

-Fer

 

[enysse]

I would like to read the book, I didn't like the movie. The movie made the lions seem like they had super natural abilities and the people hunting them, made hunters look bad. My brother loves the movie, but he not a hunter. I'm sure the bullet and gun situation is maybe hard to understand compared with today's firearms. The whole movie left me wanting a better movie made!

 

[FerRGarza]

I would like to read the book, I didn't like the movie. The movie made the lions seem like they had super natural abilities and the people hunting them, made hunters look bad. My brother loves the movie, but he not a hunter. I'm sure the bullet and gun situation is maybe hard to understand compared with today's firearms. The whole movie left me wanting a better movie made!

I enjoyed the movie, but after reading the book, there are a lot more details that were left out in the movie. However like Postoak stated, he was not a PH, so once you begin reading the book, you will find out how the hunt became a success. Remember that the majority of the railroad workers were pretty much defenseless and slept in tents. sorry if i kinda spoil the read.

we would love to hear your opinion after reading the book. Then you can compare it to the movie

best regards

-Fer

 

[sestoppelman]

I remember sitting in the theater watching that movie, and near the end when the credits were rolling, most had left but there were a few guys left watching the credits, like me!, to see where the location filming was done. I like the movie for all of its faults and there are many, but understanding that Hollyweird doesnt really like hunting they had to make the movie they wanted. And the movie was totally miscast as usual (Michael Douglas?!). Reminded me of Out of Africa with short little Robert Redford playing the part of a tall Englishman! I like Redford as an actor but he aint Denys Finch Hatton thats for sure!

 

[FerRGarza]

I remember sitting in the theater watching that movie, and near the end when the credits were rolling, most had left but there were a few guys left watching the credits, like me!, to see where the location filming was done. I like the movie for all of its faults and there are many, but understanding that Hollyweird doesnt really like hunting they had to make the movie they wanted. And the movie was totally miscast as usual (Michael Douglas?!). Reminded me of Out of Africa with short little Robert Redford playing the part of a tall Englishman! I like Redford as an actor but he aint Denys Finch Hatton thats for sure!

That is Hollywood for ya! I believe the location of the filming was in the Songimvelo Game Reserve in South Africa. Have you read the book?

-Fer

 

[enysse]

I agree, Hollywood doesn't want a decent hunter movie made.

 

[sestoppelman]

Fer, yes I read the book many years ago, still have a copy. Some time ago the Brits made a pretty decent version of it for TV.

 

[FerRGarza]

Fer, yes I read the book many years ago, still have a copy. Some time ago the Brits made a pretty decent version of it for TV.

Great! might search the web to see if there are any clips from the TV version. thanks for the info!

Warmest Regards
-Fer

 

[sestoppelman]

I had my maneater movies mixed up! The movie I was thinking of was Maneaters of India starring the late Frederick Treves. Based on the Jim Corbett story. Its good, just not what we were talking about.

 

[FerRGarza]

I had my maneater movies mixed up! The movie I was thinking of was Maneaters of India starring the late Frederick Treves. Based on the Jim Corbett story. Its good, just not what we were talking about.

yes that is Man-Eaters of Kuamon. Another book I am planning on reading about the man-eaters in India

 

[spike.t]

i have had the book for a long time and have read it a couple of times, as has been said the hunting was definitely a trial and error learning curve. why some of the things were tried and how he survived a few of them was surely down to lady luck!! they are the only lions to have been discussed in the british parliament, as constructing the rail line was hugely expensive and when the lions brought construction to a halt for a while they wanted to know what was going to be done....as for the film i dont know what relevance to the film there was apart from two lions and a railway line being in it, as for the rest it was a total load of hollywood garbage with nothing in common with the book as far as i could see. probably one of the worst/most disappointing films i have seen.
i have all corbetts books in a single print boxed collection, i think maybe by safari press. they are all a very interesting read, and he also had quite a few hair raising moments in his career not through lack of experience, but due to the cunning of the cats he was hunting. some of the kill numbers on people those leopards and tigers racked up were unbelievable .

 

[enysse]

i have all corbetts books in a single print boxed collection, i think maybe by safari press. they are all a very interesting read, and he also had quite a few hair raising moments in his career not through lack of experience, but due to the cunning of the cats he was hunting. some of the kill numbers on people those leopards and tigers racked up were unbelievable .

I too have the collection of books, it sure would be interesting to make some movies from that collection.

 

[FerRGarza]

total load of Hollywood garbage with nothing in common with the book as far as i could see.

well Hollywood has to please many more crowds than a safari book. and Hollywood loves to distort realities in favor of some side. I agree with you. reason why i prefer reading the books rather than relying on the movie lol!

 

[spike.t]

well Hollywood has to please many more crowds than a safari book. and Hollywood loves to distort realities in favor of some side. I agree with you. reason why i prefer reading the books rather than relying on the movie lol!

yup hollywood has rewritten some serious events in history to create certain films........

 

[postoak]

Corbett's books are my favorites because he is an introvert like me. I think he was never happier than when roaming the northern Indian "jungle" (really nothing more than forests) on foot alone. Hollywood would really screw up his story. I think I've mentioned before on here that when I was in India I made a point of visiting Naini Tal, where he lived in the summer and Kaladhungi, where he lived in the winter, and visiting Corbett National Park to see his old stomping grounds.

 

[spike.t]

Corbett's books are my favorites because he is an introvert like me. I think he was never happier than when roaming the northern Indian "jungle" (really nothing more than forests) on foot alone. Hollywood would really screw up his story. I think I've mentioned before on here that when I was in India I made a point of visiting Naini Tal, where he lived in the summer and Kaladhungi, where he lived in the winter, and visiting Corbett National Park to see his old stomping grounds.

that sounds interesting, and you didnt get eaten....:biggrin2:

 

[Breaker Morant]

"Maneaters of Tsavo" was the book I brought on my recent Zim hunt. I finishe it there. I had thought for awhile about which book to bring along and at the end of the day there really was no other choice.

 

[FerRGarza]

"Maneaters of Tsavo" was the book I brought on my recent Zim hunt. I finishe it there. I had thought for awhile about which book to bring along and at the end of the day there really was no other choice.

Hey Breaker, can you give us your thoughts on the book?
Thanks for sharing