Rating: Summary: If you enjoy hunting or Hemingway, this is a good book Review: I believe this is Hemingway's only non-fiction book, but it is very similar to his others. At times it talks about his views on the world and literature, but mostly it captures the ups and downs of his hunting trip in Africa. If you like this book, you'd probably like The Sun Also Rises or Hunter S. Thompson's The Rum Diary.
Rating: Summary: The next best thing to being there Review: I read this book on a trip through South-East Asia, and it almost made me feel like I was in Africa instead. It's a true story, an account of a real safari, and Hemingway manages to make his readers feel his exitement, share his disappointment, and feel the same burning envy he must have felt seeing the trophy of his friend dwarfing the one of his own. A great story, maybe not quite so pretentious than some of his better known works, but still a hugely fun read.For ten bucks, you can't get any closer to Africa than that.
Rating: Summary: Whole Not As Good As Parts, But Parts Are Awesome Review: I'm not a big fan of hunting, big game or otherwise, but I am one of Hemingway's. In this book what I most enjoy are the dialogues, the descriptions of Africa (maybe second only to Isak Dinesen's), and the musings on subjects as diverse as writing, the taste of that first drink of the day, even the island of Cuba. In fact, there's a passage in "Green Hills" about seeing trash from Havana being carried away by the Gulfstream which is so amazing and beautiful that it by itself is worth the price of the book.
Rating: Summary: A unique look at African big game hunting in the 1930's Review: In this detailed account of Hemingway's first African safari, one gains a strong sense of the emotions of big game hunting, as well as a familiarity with the practical details that made it such a challenge. The narrative features the same precise, yet economical descriptions that characterize his works of fiction. The dialog, however, often appears rather contrived, with the appearance of trying to create an image that may not be the unvarnished truth. Elspeth Huxley's mystery novel Murder on Safari provides similar, detailed information in a form that I, not a hunter, found more readable.
Rating: Summary: Too much blood Review: It is difficult to recommend this book in this day and age. I have always found Hemingway a bit self-centered, and he seems to me lacking any form of compassion. The hunting for trophies is the focus of this volume, and it is intent on describing the killing of wild animals, although in the classic Hemingway style, of course. But that does not help. It is still a horrific sport to kill for enjoyment. ...
Rating: Summary: Drunkards despoil Africa. Review: It is hard to believe that he who wrote FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS wrote this. I am not an animal rights advocate but one cannot help but root for the animals as Ernest and his cronies blast away at them with high powered rifles. If only that buffalo could have backtracked on them.... And the racist, sexist, and even agist musings are disgusting. Drunkards stagger across Africa killing animals, cutting the heads and horns off, and leaving them to rot . Revolting.
Rating: Summary: No Capstick or Taylor Review: Much credit is given 'Papa' for his writings on Africa. I can only attribute this to the fact that he is a famous author and more people have read his Africa books/two short stories more than any others. Much like Roosevelts game trails this book is a chronicle of Hemingways two month safari. And like Teddys book comes across as just that. After all they only both went on one safari. If you are really interested in reading about African big game hunting there are two books that communicate the vibrancy and feel of hunting dangerous game in Africa better than Hemingway or Roosevelt. Death in the long grass by Peter Hathaway Capstick and Pondoro by John Taylor are my two favorites. Both are men who spent their lives living and hunting in Africa. Capstick as a Proffesional hunter and game warden in the latter half of this century until 1975, and Taylor as an Ivory poacher from the 1920-30's(?) to the late 40's. If you are anti-hunting forget it but if you are in-between and looking for something more on Africa then Please take a look. I am not saying that Hemingway is bad, it's just that in my opinion Taylor and Capstick bring African hunting alive in a way Hemingway can't touch in the best parts of Green Hills. Hemingway may be the master when it comes to other types of literature, but when it comes to describing hunting dangerous game in Africa Taylor and Capstick reign supreme.
Rating: Summary: A must read for anyone going on an African safari! Review: One of only 2 nonfiction books Hemingway wrote, I previously ignored this book. However, in anticipation of a 10 day safari in Tanzania, I bought and read it. I must confess that at home, its impact was lost on me. After I arrived in the game park, I re-read it and enjoyed it immensely. Hemingway captures the essence of Africa in a way that only he can do. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone contemplating a trip to Africa.
Rating: Summary: Makes you want to go Review: One of our masters takes you on a journey that only few can imagine. I felt as if I were right there with the khakis and bag full of books and local guides...sitting at a well stocked camp each night. One of his lesser known works, no doubt, but quite enjoyable nonetheless. (For a twisted experience, try reading "Snows of Kilimanjaro" immediately afterward, as I did by accident!)
Rating: Summary: "Portrait of a Serial Killer of Wild Animals" Review: Safe to say this "nonfiction novel" hasn't aged well. Boozy banter from Westerners who view Africa -- its wildlife, its people -- from within a gauzy cocoon of privilege. Ernest & co. chase down majestic animals, admire them and blast away at them with shotguns. I found the descriptions of animals madly circling once shot -- desperately, futile-ly fleeing a danger they can't possibly comprehend -- profoundly sad. I had the sense the narrative was aiming for (and probably achieving for its original audience) a breezy, witty, urbane tone. It seemed to me in 2004 like so much reveling in privilege, power and manly pseudo-attainment. On the other hand, there's no way Hemingway could have portrayed himself, knowing full well that he would come across in certain passages like an egomaniac and a bully, without a great writer's ability to stand apart. He also explores the code of ethics within hunting -- the hunters' intense aversion to shooting females or young, or wasting meat. And his use of this English language is interesting and shot through with passion. But having said all that: read something else.
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