If you'd like to read a classic piece of non-fiction set in Africa, I'd start with "West With the Night" by Beryll Markuhm(sp?). A wonderfully written book about life in Colonial East Africa.
Easily one of my favorites.
Hemingway to a friend on the book and Beryll:
"Did you read Beryl Markham's book, West with the Night? ...She has written so well, and marvelously well, that I was completely ashamed of myself as a writer. I felt that I was simply a carpenter with words, picking up whatever was furnished on the job and nailing them together and sometimes making an okay pig pen. But this girl, who is to my knowledge very unpleasant and we might even say a high-grade bitch, can write rings around all of us who consider ourselves as writers ... it really is a bloody wonderful book."
“Life is life and fun is fun, but it's all so quiet when the goldfish die.”
I hate being pidgin holed, but I'd say in this case a bit of a glib prick. Do you consider yourself more of a dumbass or stupidass?
I didn't put you in a category. You did that all by yourself. If you would avoid my posts in the future,I'd appreciate it... It's ironic that you misspelled "dumb ass" & "stupid ass". Two different words Einstein. Or are you a MENSA ? Never mind....
---------------------------------------- I'm a big fan of the courtesy flush.
Hemingway is among the best that America ever produced. His ability to use the English language to tell a story, without waste, remains exceptional.
Imagine your grave on a windy winter night. You've been dead for 70 years. It's been 50 since a visitor last paused at your tombstone..... Now explain why you're in a pissy mood today.
Selous "A Hunters Wanderings In Africa", that's the gold standard for me. Sure it lacks the prose of Hemingway, but what an adventure!
My favorite Hemingway will always be "The Short, Happy Life of Francis Macomber". There's absolutely no redeeming value to the story whatsoever and all of the characters are of questionable moral repute...And still it's a magnificent read.
Gun Geek, Do you know the facts behind "Short and Happy Life......"? Based on an actual incident.
Most are suprised that it involved John Patterson.
On another note,,,,
Personally when I have a family member or friend tell me I drink too much, I often refer them to "Yhe Sun Also Rises". I'm a mere amateur compared to those lushes!
Last edited by kaywoodie; 02/02/15.
Founder Ancient Order of the 1895 Winchester
"Come, shall we go and kill us venison? And yet it irks me the poor dappled fools, Being native burghers of this desert city, Should in their own confines with forked heads Have their round haunches gored."
If you'd like to read a classic piece of non-fiction set in Africa, I'd start with "West With the Night" by Beryll Markuhm(sp?). A wonderfully written book about life in Colonial East Africa.
Easily one of my favorites.
Hemingway to a friend on the book and Beryll:
"Did you read Beryl Markham's book, West with the Night? ...She has written so well, and marvelously well, that I was completely ashamed of myself as a writer. I felt that I was simply a carpenter with words, picking up whatever was furnished on the job and nailing them together and sometimes making an okay pig pen. But this girl, who is to my knowledge very unpleasant and we might even say a high-grade bitch, can write rings around all of us who consider ourselves as writers ... it really is a bloody wonderful book."
And Hemingway was spot on. I'd buy Beryl a drink anytime, were she still alive, of course.
She lived a remarkable life in the last century, and yes there is some flying & hunting involved. She was actually the first person to fly across the Atlantic from East to West. Not first woman, first person
Green Hills of Africa is a great read IMO. I can't imagine anybody thinking otherwise.
It's also a very short read.
Travis
Absolutely!!!
Founder Ancient Order of the 1895 Winchester
"Come, shall we go and kill us venison? And yet it irks me the poor dappled fools, Being native burghers of this desert city, Should in their own confines with forked heads Have their round haunches gored."
Always liked one of the quotes from Hemingways sons. Apparently Alice B. Toklas and Gertrude Stein babysat him in those days in Paris. He refered to the pair as "the gargoyles of his childhood!" LOL
Founder Ancient Order of the 1895 Winchester
"Come, shall we go and kill us venison? And yet it irks me the poor dappled fools, Being native burghers of this desert city, Should in their own confines with forked heads Have their round haunches gored."
I was hedging that should I write "dumb [bleep]", it may have required you to use your imagination, resulting in my having to then explain it to you. That consideration has of course been negated. About that sense of brevity Hem employees... see what you think.
Be Polite , Be Professional , but have a plan to kill everybody you meet -General James Mattis United States Marine Corps
Some things you just have to do for yourself to decide if they are worth it.
GREEN HILLS I enjoyed, more than once. TRUE AT FIRST LIGHT wandered so much it lost me. It now gathers dust. And posthumous doesn't bother me. ISLANDS is one of my favorites still.
But yeah, as an American big game hunter, you probably ought to open GREEN HILLS, and give it a go, since it's an opinion you wanted. That way you'll know for yourself.
"What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated." Thomas Paine
I'm almost through the first chapter and am already hooked. Passing the whiskey,in a tin cup,up to one of the trackers so he could add water from the canteen is the style I remember from Hemingway.
---------------------------------------- I'm a big fan of the courtesy flush.
Gun Geek, Do you know the facts behind "Short and Happy Life......"? Based on an actual incident.
Most are suprised that it involved John Patterson.
On another note,,,,
Personally when I have a family member or friend tell me I drink too much, I often refer them to "Yhe Sun Also Rises". I'm a mere amateur compared to those lushes!
Never heard that...which character was Patterson supposed to be, the White Hunter?
My favorite Hemingway will always be "The Short, Happy Life of Francis Macomber". There's absolutely no redeeming value to the story whatsoever and all of the characters are of questionable moral repute...And still it's a magnificent read.
That's what's great about it. Just like real life.
"Be sure you're right. Then go ahead." Fess Parker as Davy Crockett
