Peter Hathaway CapstickDeath in the Dark Continent

Originally published in 1983, this book describes big game hunting in Africa. After a brief introduction, each subsequent chapter contains details and anecdotes about hunting each of the Big Five game animals of Africa (Cape Buffalo, Rhino, Elephant, Leopard, and Lion). In particular, this book is largely about the dangers of hunting each of the Big Five. All I can say is that being a safari guide/hunter must be an incredible life. I purchased this after reading Hemingway's `Green Hills of Africa' and Robert Ruark's `Robert Ruark's Africa' and was not disappointed. There isn't really a single narrative through this book, it is written in a more of a conversational style, almost as if you are sitting with Capstick in camp in the evening after a day of hunting and he is recounting various tales, `urban legands', and historical anecdotes about hunting each of the big five over a Scotch whiskey. If you don't know who he was, Peter Capstick was a hunter, guide, and prolific author who passed away in 1996. Capstick writes about a much later era than Ruark or Hemingway, things have clearly changed. There are more people about (farming, grazing animals, etc.), and the game is heavily controlled by the national authorities. Overall this is a very good, if not uniquely outstanding, read. Capstick writes with an easy prose, and the pages just sail by. After working through this book, you're quite likely to get the urge to pack up a few of your shootin' irons and buy an airline ticket to Nairobi (I know I did!). I give it only four stars though as much of the ground covered by Capstick has been well tread by others (e.g. everyone seems to feel the need to give their opinion about which of the big five is the most dangerous). I also liked Ruark's writing style more, and there was something more romantic and dangerous about safari hunting in Ruark's era (this is no fault of PC though) - they really were out in Indian territory. The more modern safari isn't quite so wild. In any case, if you love the outdoors, hunting, and testing your mettle against some of the world most dangerous game (or at least reading about it!), I would highly recommend this book. A little different than hunting white-tailed deer!

He’s got no equal. His literary style and stay-up-all-night stories still capture my imagination and dream of wild Africa. He’s definitely a secular author, but what an author!

A very good book that keeps you turning page after page. Capstick is an outstanding author. Once you read one of his books you will want more.

As a writer and a sportsman, Robert Ruark was a man's man, and his writings show his mastery of the metaphor. But as you read Capstick, you may come to understand why some people think he was even better than Ruark. In my opinion, it's because Capstick wrote with humor and irony that Ruark either did not have or could not put on paper. I have hunted Africa, and I know the truth in the admnonitions that both men described so well - as beautiful and enchanting as it may be,today's Africa is still a wild and dangerous place. Get careless and the adage "Africa Always Wins!" will become intimately relevant. If you are dreaming of Africa, don't wait another minute - go NOW! Use Capstick, Ruark and others to prepare and educate yourself but do see it for yourself. I have read all of Capstick's books many times over. I own them in hardback, and now I am putting them on my Kindle so I can enjoy them no matter where I go.

History

Very well written description of what it’s like to chase dangerous game. His writing style is very entertaining I will make you want to actually go to Africa..

Although I have never had an interest in going on a safari, this is really a great book to read on the topic. Adventure at its finest.

While interesting, this book is far less interesting than his "Death in the Long Grass" which contained far more in the way of often terrifying encounters. Had I not read - and reread several times - that book I would have possibly rated "Dark Continent" higher. Capstick was a fine writer and although I am no hunter myself, he made the case for controlled hunting quite persuasively. And one cannot fault the courage shown by him and his breed as described in both of these books.

I have slightly mixed feelings about this book, which I bought purely for research purposes. I have no interest in hunting and do not empathise in any way with those who deliberately seek out some of the world's most splendid animals for the sole reason of destroying them. Still, this isn't really the place to get into a hunting debate.Although I was expecting to be very bored by the whole grisly business, I actually read the book in a day - which is a testimony to its gripping power. It is divided into five chapters, each dealing with the aspects of hunting one of the Big Five - buffalo, rhino, elephant, leopard and lion. For Capstick, big game hunting is something that happens on foot and at fairly close quarters. The hunter puts himself into a "him or me" situation in which shooting the animal dead is a prerequisite to survival. This, I imagine, raises adrenaline levels and pride and satisfaction at a successful outcome. Naturally it sometimes goes pear-shaped and of course it is these occasions that the reader really wants to know about. Relating them is also good for the hunter too, as to be in mortal danger naturally adds to the awe in which the whole business is held.The book is surprisingly well written. Capstick does indeed have a horrible tendency to use macho clichés, euphemisms and litotes to describe putting big holes in magnificent creatures viz: "If you stick a big bullet into his bridgework, you'll usually get his attention" or "... with the badly injured African hanging upside down from the horn, the hole in his leg as big as a cantaloupe. Probably because this didn't feel very good, the hunter reached up and found his knife in his belt, pulled it out and began on some en route surgery" or "The poor bugger looked as if he'd spent a week in in a blender set at "cole slaw"". But he makes up for this with excellent story-telling ability, and highly colourful descriptions of the African bush: "As the first diffusion of bloodshot sky leaked across the eastern horizon, a tom leopard provided the final touch with a series of seven ripsaw calls." You really do feel you are in the long grass with him, with a wild animal ready to pounce on you or charge you. You can almost smell the sweat. The book is also probably informative to the ammo and gun fan, but it's all jargon to me. There is plenty of discussion of the relative merits of solid bullets or dum-dums - not that the latter are referred to as such.Naturally, the subject matter remains at heart what it is like to encounter the Big Five and then how to go about doing the most damage to them. In this respect, if you are not a hunter, the book is clearly unsavoury. There is no analysis of how it feels to have ended the life of a living thing as wonderful and huge as an elephant, only an obsession with the size of biggest tusks (only a small part of the elephant after all).For all the evident he-man bravado, Capstick comes over as a likeable and highly capable individual and goes out of his way to temper the machismo with self-deprecation. He was a true professional with a deep love of Africa. Whether that condones butchery for fun is a whole discussion - rather like bullfighting.I certainly wouldn't want to see a film of the book - it would make for a highly depressing experience.Still, for what it is, in its own paradigm and as a reading experience, this is a hugely enjoyable book which will have you racing through the pages.

Brilliant book - once I started reading I could not put it down and read it through in one session!

All went well and according to plan. THANK YOU!!!

Good read

The book was in good condition. Always again.