The first book of Capstick, that I read. A wonderful style of story telling, that grips you and forces you to read it again and again. Capstick has an ability to increase the interest of reader, as compared to some big game hunters, who get more technical and factual. Although he will also tell you about guns, calibres, bullet weights, scientific knowledge, geography etc, but does not make it boring for reader. Capstick's opinion, about most dangerous game and his rating & analysis of big five, is no doubt, very true, and is confirmed by, what is written by the great white hunter J.A. Hunter. I fully appreciate author's efforts and research done, in finding the exact story of the world record elephant tusks.

If you havent read Capstick, you are missing out on a treat. Not only are his stories, graphic, exciting and compelling, his style of writing is nothing short of superb. Genuinly exciting, and often laugh out loud funny, all of his books are fantastic. When talking about the turn of the century past-time of "galloping lions" (described as "dangerous as typhoid") he writes:" THe elements recquired for the monotony breaking past time were a fast horse, a good rifle, a few lions and not much concern about the future".

Not for the faint of heart, there is a number of gory stories about the fatal encouters that people have, and some well placed warnings about taking any dangerous animal lightly.

A lot like his first book, "death in the long grass" Capstick writes about individual animals- with a chapter on the "big five", Buffalo, Rhino, Elephant, Leopard ( the best chapter in the book- beatifully written) and Lion. As before he relates his own experinces, plus encouters as described by his friends.

I would recommend Death in the LOng Grass as a first Capstick book, but this is still most highly recommended.

I really liked this book. I do not remember why I picked it up, but I am so happy that I did. I felt like I was sitting in a bar listening to someone who just came back from Africa. I am a hunter and I now have a new found respect for a lot of the big game animals of the dark continant. The book covers the big five of the game animals and the stories are remakable. This book is a must read for the hunter and the adventure junkie. I made my hunting buddy read the book. After the chapter on the Cape Buffalo he called me to say that he now wants to hunt something that will charge. We both purchased big bore rifles and are planning a boar hunt. Trust me you will want to too. Do not read this book if your wife will devorce you over one more hunting trip. You will miss her

Capsticks books are always a delight and this is no exception. Instead of his usual "first person" yarns, this is a look at some of the most famous and gripping hunts of all times- hunting man eaters. The book covers a number of famous hunts, and the standout really is the famous Man eaters of Tsavo (imortalised in "the Ghost and the Darkness" film).

The stories by themselves would be gripping enough, but with Capsticks absolutly delightful style- he would make a Motorcycle repair manual amusing- the book is a gem. I read it in two days, and have read it twice since.

Most highly recommended.

Grade: A+

Capstick does it once again. This book takes you along with some of the most famous and infamous hunters ever to walk the planet. He starts with John Patterson, the killer of the Maneaters of Tsavo. Find out just how close the lions came to winning! Next is Chauncey H. Stigand a pig iron tough SOB who was a military master, and a big game hunter. Find out how tough he was when a rhino ripped of his left pectoral and he walked unaided 10-15 miles before lying down! Then meet P.J. Pretorious, the one man wrecking crew of the German war machine in East Africa. He did every thing but shoot the guns to sink the Konigsberg the famed German was ship, as well as capturing an entire German column. Next is Sasha Seimel, perhaps the only white man ever to hunt jaguar with only a spear! Read how he almost lost to a man-killing jaguar. Then meet W.D.M. "Karamojo" Bell, the finest elephant who ever lived. Bell used rifles so small some people would not even use them for deer. Read how he avoid being killed or poisoned by natives, and how he could shoot birds from the air with his rifle. Next up is Jim Corbett, the finest hunter of maneating tigers and leopards ever to walk. Discover the hidden tricks of animal call and signs. See how close Corbett comes to ending up as a statistic. In the final chapter, Sir Samuel Baker gives you and idea of how tough Asian Water Buffalo are in "The Charge of Sixpence". Harry Wolhuter proves a man can kill an adult male lion with a knife! And, Capstick goes a buffalo spearing, not the best of ideas.

Like no one else, except for Ruark, Capstick again takes us on a journey through the true majesty that is Africa. If these tales were told by anyone of smaller stature, they would seem boastful. Coming from Cappie, they are like a day at the office. Those of us who were lucky enough to meet the man can vouch for his veracity, and mourn his passing

Peter Hathaway Capstick hits the literary nail on the head yet again in this sequel to "Last Horizons." While the stories in this book don't occur predominantly on the African continent as Capstick is known for, the action throughout is especially riveting, especially the stories from Central and South America. Having grown up in South America, I can vouch for the reality in the dangerous encounter Capstick has with the Argentine wild boar. I also enjoyed immensly his jaguar hunts and jounts in Brazil. Just reading this book made me want to go back to the place of my youth and have some of my own adventures! Stick with Capstick, he won't disappoint!

Capstick is a pleasure to read. He takes a somewhat comical view of serious situations. Certainly keeps the reading from becoming too dry. I rank him right up there with Robert Ruark.

Capstick's magic lies in his ability to portray an incident so vividly that you feel the long grass brushing against your bare shins, you hear the roar of the lion as he charges, and feel the complete terror of the moment. Or, he might just take you for an afternoon of BB gun shooting, slipping you back into your own memories where you enjoyed simpler, but no less complete, pleasures. Death in the Long Grass belongs in the bookcase of every person who ever dreamed of a life of adventure

I know Peter personaly and have hunted with him. I am in his book Sands of Silence. I highly recommend all of his books. They draw from real experiences and actively bring the reader into the wild. He loved the outdoors and his work helps preserve memories and times of people and activity that is passing away. Each book is a treasure of adventure. BL Melrose, MD

Capstick has an ability to write as few others have ever mastered and those that did are also revered. His stories are addictive and captivating! A must read for those who love to hunt.

Though a little dated, this book is an outstanding primer for your first safari to Africa. There is no better way to prepare than to read Capstick's book unless you have a friend or consultant who has "been there, done that"... This will truly enrich your first experience and prevent you from missing out on some of the richest moments of the trip.

This book provides the reader with virtually everything you need to know and ever wanted to know about going on safari. Everything from what one should expect from the guide and hunting concession, to what the guide and hunting concession expects from you! Lists of taxidermy prices, while it may be somewhat outdated, will give the reader an idea of what to expect. This book doesn't contain an much heart pounding excitment as Capstick's other books, but it is interesting nonetheless. Anyone going on safari or considering it will benenfit from reading this book.

Once again, Peter Capstick has brought an African safari adventure into my home. This books is brillantly written as well as full of great color photos of the people of Nambia and some of the many animals of the wild. This is a must have for anyone who enjoys a great adventure!

This book is wonderful. Peter Hathaway Capstick had a real knack for putting the reader right there in the tall grass, feeling the heat and the fear of an African hunt. His description of a charging lion put the fear of God in me, that's for sure. Also, his writing style is full of self-depreciating humor and honesty. He had a real way with words and his books are all classics in the field. If you have ever wanted to go on a safari, read this book. It is refreshing to read his descriptions of hunting with no apologies. Consider the way he expresses his love of dangerous game hunting: "That is man against himself, the last and purest of the challenges that made us men, not animals." Either that rings true or it doesn't.

Peter Hathaway Capstick ranks among the finest story tellers in the world today. His tales of hunting dangerous African game in "Death in the Long Grass" is riveting. His anecdotes portray in vivid detail the danger, fear, and humor in hunting big game in the African bush. Read this book and you will never look at a leopard the same again, or any other big game species in Africa for that matter. Capstick's respect for the animals he hunted and for the African people is quite apparent. "Bravo old boy!"

I have had an interest in Africa since boyhood. The easy conversational style in which Capstick writes makes you feel that he is your PH telling the stories while you sit around the fire with a full belly, enjoying your evening sundowners. It was not until I finally made it to Africa that I realized just how realistic Capstick's writing is. Easy to read, exciting, real. What more can you want in a book? In spite of a well stocked library I find myself coming back to the "Death in the..." books over and over. Long grass was the first and is still the best!
Ted Ellis

I've owned this book for a number of years & I find it is DEFINITELY a "keeper". My wife can"t understand why I drag it out & re-read it every Fall. I'd read & enjoyed Ruark's fiction in my younger days, but when I stumbled across "The Old Man & The Boy" it reminded me of times in the woods & on the water with my own father & the life lessons I was taught at those times. Both books together are simply a double treasure.

My grandfather gave me a paperback edition of the "The Old Man and The Boy" when I was about twelve. I am thirty three now and this book has never left my side. I have since acquired "The Old Man's Boy Grows Older." This work has similiar flavour. For those sporting people who long for the days of ethics and morality in the field and in the home this book is a must read. You can virtually smell the campfire, hear the Quail calling and learn some important lessons on life and sport.

As a success in my field, I was questioned by my trade organization what management books I kept on my desk. Only one: The Old Man and the Boy.

This is a pretty good story of a long time professional hunter in the Africa of old. Capstick lets Mr. Johnson tell his story in his own words, which are not as entertaining as Capsticks writings.

Having read all of Capstick's books. I think this one ranks at the top. Wally Johnson had an extremely interesting life. Capstick writes the book as if they are having a conversation. Wally has many grest stories and Capstick injects his own observations on each subject. This book, especially the first half is probably the best Capstick ever. I have read this book many times and never tire of it. A definite must read for anyone interested in Africian adventure.

For anyone who has read this book,I knew Wally Johnson, from when I was a child. My father {mentioned in the book}, Ken Fubbs, hunted with Wally for many years. I really enjoyed this book, as it brought back many personal experiences, and memories, shared with Wally. I am also fortunate enough to have one of the few autographed copies of this book. Should anyone like to read another book very similar to this one, about Werner Von Alvesleven, the man in charge of the whole set up in Mozambique, this book is also available.

While entertaining, this book seems to misrepresent. In a couple os occasions, his foolish moves almost got him killed. If it hadn't been for sure-footed and accurate (in their aim) colleagues, Capstick would have been dead.

To get a real feel of (and for) maneaters, I recommend reading Jim Corbett or Kenneth Anderson, both of whom hunted maneating tigers and panthers in India (Corbett in the north and Anderson in the south of India) in the first half of the last century.

Maneaters is the first Capstick I read and I immediately became a huge fan. I have read accounts of animals attacking people (having lived in Alaska I was well studied in all of the bear attack books) but I soon found out that a Capstick book is a completely different animal. Up 'til Maneaters, my level of interest in such stories was directly related to the events themselves; i.e. "shark devours swimmer as horrified beachcombers look on" would be better than "man escapes close call when black bear enters tent." Capstick, on the other hand, is seemingly able to take a news clipping and make you feel like you are the one getting stomped into a puddle by that rogue elephant.

Maneaters basically goes chapter by chapter through all of nature's species that have, in significant numbers, one of two qualities. Either they have taken to the consumption of human flesh, bones, hair or other parts; or they have typically found enjoyment in tap-dancing on, poking holes in, delimbing, tenderizing, or poisoning unfortunate, unwary people.

Capstick goes back through history and bring to life true cases of human/animal encounters. The entire book is case after case of attacks or close calls. He does an excellent job of explaining the circumstances, events, and outcomes of each entry and while the book is entirely a collection of story stories, it flows nicely and is a fast read.

Everybody turns up the television when the news comes on and says someone was mauled by a bear or bitten by a shark. This book is that multiplied by a hundred and there is no better newscaster than Peter Hathaway Capstick!

This is Capstick at the top of his game. No one can tell a tale about the way Capstick does. You can feel the rumble of the Elephants, smell the Cape Buffalo, and feel the whiskers of that maneating Lion behind you. This book covers the range of species in the world that kill AND consume man. From the sea to the arid plains of Zambia, to the thornbrush of Tanganyika, tot the jungles of Mexica, Capstick takes you to where you probably don't want to go. Of particular interest to you fans of African hunting are the stories he relates about that great man George Rushby. The stories concerning Rushby are, in my opinion, the highlight of the book. This is a must have.