Product Description

Tells the story of two man-eating lions who terrorized East Africa and brought to a halt the construction of a new railway line.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #163681 in Books
• Published on: 1986-12-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 384 pages

Customer Reviews

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.

A classic written by a man who had no experience of writing!
Col J Patterson was a remarkable personality. He was a person who was asked to put a rail line through one of the most hostile places on earth. (Tsavo literally means : Slaughter House)

The account of the various lions terrorising the railway workers is horrifying and very true.

Having visited the area myself in this day and age it is remarkable that a person like Col Patterson managed to live thru that ordeal.

The other thing ofcourse is that his lietrary talents are remarkable considering the fact that he had no prior book writing experience.

A great, true, and mesmerising account of the horrors faced by the rail workers in East Africa.