The Man-Eaters of Tsavo (Illustrated)

I've ridden the very rails of the so-called "Lunatic Express" where this story takes place. I've been inside the very "winnebago on rails" rail car from which the man was taken by a lion, and I've seen the mounted lions themselves in the Nairobi Museum. This book is written by the man who destroyed those mankillers.A few notes: Ignore the film "Ghost in the Darkness" as it is 95% fiction. Also, a free version of this, including illustrations, is available via the gutenberg project. Even so, I bought the book so I can have it on my shelf alongside my other books from my days in Nairobi.

Great book! Lt-Col. John Henry Patterson was a great writer and amazing man. This book "spurred me on" to read several of his other books (With The Judeans in the Palestine Campaign & With the Zionists in Gallipoli) also good reads. Little known fact... Although a British Army Officer, Patterson's remains were actually re-buried at Avihayil cemetery in Israel in 2010. The reburial ceremony was attended by many high level Heads of State (England, Ireland, Israel, etc) including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu said in his speech, Patterson was "the godfather of the Israeli army" and "a great friend of our people, a great champion of Zionism and a great believer in the Jewish State and the Jewish people". That's pretty high praise coming from the leader of Israel for a non-Jewish person. Get a copy of this book. You will enjoy it.

This book is a window into a very different time. If you are disgusted by the hunting ethic of 120 years ago, don't read it. If you are horrified by the common assumptions about race of 120 years ago, pass it by. The author is a man of his time, he is immersed in the world of the British Empire. He writes well, the narrative is quick and the prose lean. I would say he is not mean-spirited, and like many in his time, lacked some introspection, to see that his overall view of other peoples clashed with his admiration, affection and appreciation when he dealt with them in the specific. I highly recommend it.

After watching the movie "Ghost and the Darkness" I wanted to read the original story that was the basis for the movie. At first I bought the paperback book of the same title as the movie, however that was essentially a carbon copy of the movie. In the back of the book was a reference to the original story, "The Man-Eaters Of Tsavo". I ordered it and what a great story! The original story is even more compelling than the movie. I liked it so much I bought a second copy for a friend that is an avid hunter and sportsman in his own right.

Colonial east Africa during the time of this writing was still wild and presented dangers to those who wished to take it. Looking back from current times it seems like a different universe where railway workers would routinely be devoured by lions. After the lions were killed I found it still interesting to read about the colonels hunting exploits though it pains me to hear about so many now endangered animals being taken casually for sport.On another note the casual racism of the author is certainly a product of the times and was actually a very interesting window into the way people thought at the time. It can be a bit jarring to read about the author not worrying about a member of his party being killed by a wild animal because he was “only a savage after all”, but I think it shows a lot of insight into colonial thinking and really is quite nice to see how far society has evolved in the last 100 years.

The only photograph included its the one shown in the advert. The other 'liiustrations" are line drawings which look rather amateurish. The story is great, very impressive and rates 5 stars. the ads for this book are misleading.I have a first edition of this book and the photographs included there are quite nice of both the lions and the bridge.The movie Ghost and the Darkness is a good representation of the story but not strictly accurate. Buy the book for the story but don't expect any illustrations.

Bought this book because I wanted to read about the lions that attacked the encampments. Was a little disappointed to find that its only the first third of the book, with the rest being Patterson's memoirs - which are fine but not as exciting as the story of the man-eaters.

Bought as a reminiscent book for my husband as the original was the first book he remembered reading. So glad to find I could still get a copy.

good

The stories about the man eaters is intereting but the other chapters where the author seemed intent on killing any wildlife at all are abit difficult to read. Times have changed.

Fantastic and true story, very well told by the person experiencing it all ! Have you seen the GREAT movie "Ghost and the Darkness" with Michael Douglas and Val Kilmer ? This is the book, written by the man who killed the big lions. Written over a hundred years ago, in a simple and very entertaining way, showing the world as it was then, a great book ! The book is even more exciting and horrifying than the movie......