Maneaters

Rating:
Summary: A CHILLING YET FACTUAL ACCOUNT OF LIFE AND DEATH IN THE BUSH
Review: Africa has indeed moved into the modern world in many respects,yet a part of this mysterious land remains a dangerous environment for man. Indeed a place where man is also prey as well as predator.Mr Capstick has provided a window through which we can view this world from the safety of our own home.It is exciting to see through the eyes of one who has been there and done that !

Rating:
Summary: A BONE CRUNCHING ACCOUNT OF REAL LIFE IN THE DARK CONTINENT
Review: Capstick has done it again. The only author I've read that can put you in the thick of the hunt and the jaws of the beast! It doesn't matter if it's the story about maneating lions or being dragged down under in the muddy depths by a croc. By the time you read the first paragragh your hooked. And the lights are on all night long..... again!

Rating:
Summary: Tastes like chicken!
Review: 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!

Rating:
Summary: Tastes like chicken!
Review: 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!

Rating:
Summary: Who's at the top of the food chain?
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: This is Capstick at his best! A true work of art!!
Review: This is one of Capstick's greatest works. I am glad that he finally wrote something about tigers! The cannibal chapter was a real eye-opener. I truly enjoyed him finally telling some of George Rushby's adventures. The "Njombe Maneaters" was superb. This is another shining example of Capstick's work. It is a real "MUST READ."

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Tellings of True Tall Tales
Review: This is one of my favorite Capstick books. His descriptions are vivid, his valid insights based on his experiences and those of his friends and co-workers. A must-read for hunters AND animal lovers.

By the way, kersi, Capstick IS dead, more's the pity.

Rating:
Summary: Alive Because He's Lucky - His Escorts Had Better Aim!
Review: 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.