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A review by jamie_o
Man-Eaters of Kumaon by Jim Corbett
5.0
Jim Corbett was a jungle expert: he could mimic the call of tigers and various other jungle animals, read the sounds of other jungle critters, track tigers, and by tracking its 'drag,' tell which part of the body a man-eating tiger was carrying its prey.
Corbett, who grew up in India, was commissioned by the Indian government to kill dangerous man-eaters and his stories of doing so are edge of your seat gripping. He had some scary close encounters. Additionally, he vividly describes the wild Kumaon area and its people and villages.
The book is the rare combination of a captivating true story and amazingly good storytelling. Corbett begins by explaining how tigers become man-eaters, "Human beings are not the natural prey of tigers, and it is only when tigers have been incapacitated through wounds or old age that, in order to live, they are compelled to take to a diet of human flesh." The instances he describes of man-eating tiger attacks on humans are horrifying and he was able to save countless lives by taking the tigers out (some had previously killed hundreds of people).
He's not going to be popular among idealistic tiger lovers because in addition to hunting man-eaters, he did do some sport hunting. In his defense, it was a different era and yet he did hold tigers and all animals, in high regard. His respect for animals is evident throughout the book.
Contrary to my expectations, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. And the glossary in back was much appreciated.
"With unbelievable fury he attacked this tree and tore it to bits, emitting as he did so roar upon roar, and what was even worse, a dreadful blood-curdling sound as though he was savaging his worst enemy."
"I am not going to harrow your feelings by attempting to describe that poor torn and mangled thing; stripped of every stitch of clothing and atom of dignity, which only a few hours previously had been a man, the father of two children and the breadwinner of that wailing woman who was facing - without any illusions - the fate of a widow in India."
"she was now working herself up into a perfect fury, and you will have some idea of what the fury of a tigress in her condition can be when I tell you that not many miles from my home a tigress on one occasion closed a public road for a whole week, attacking everything that attempted to go along it, including a string of camels, until she was finally joined by a mate"
Due to the violent nature of tiger attacks (which is only semi-explicit), this would be appropriate for middle school age and up.
Corbett, who grew up in India, was commissioned by the Indian government to kill dangerous man-eaters and his stories of doing so are edge of your seat gripping. He had some scary close encounters. Additionally, he vividly describes the wild Kumaon area and its people and villages.
The book is the rare combination of a captivating true story and amazingly good storytelling. Corbett begins by explaining how tigers become man-eaters, "Human beings are not the natural prey of tigers, and it is only when tigers have been incapacitated through wounds or old age that, in order to live, they are compelled to take to a diet of human flesh." The instances he describes of man-eating tiger attacks on humans are horrifying and he was able to save countless lives by taking the tigers out (some had previously killed hundreds of people).
He's not going to be popular among idealistic tiger lovers because in addition to hunting man-eaters, he did do some sport hunting. In his defense, it was a different era and yet he did hold tigers and all animals, in high regard. His respect for animals is evident throughout the book.
Contrary to my expectations, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. And the glossary in back was much appreciated.
"With unbelievable fury he attacked this tree and tore it to bits, emitting as he did so roar upon roar, and what was even worse, a dreadful blood-curdling sound as though he was savaging his worst enemy."
"I am not going to harrow your feelings by attempting to describe that poor torn and mangled thing; stripped of every stitch of clothing and atom of dignity, which only a few hours previously had been a man, the father of two children and the breadwinner of that wailing woman who was facing - without any illusions - the fate of a widow in India."
"she was now working herself up into a perfect fury, and you will have some idea of what the fury of a tigress in her condition can be when I tell you that not many miles from my home a tigress on one occasion closed a public road for a whole week, attacking everything that attempted to go along it, including a string of camels, until she was finally joined by a mate"
Due to the violent nature of tiger attacks (which is only semi-explicit), this would be appropriate for middle school age and up.