From the author of Last Horizons , Peter Hathaway Capstick now presents Death in a Lonely Land , a second volume of his hunting, fishing, and shooting adventures on five continents--stories collected from such magazines as Outdoor Life , NRA's American Hunter , Guns & Ammo , and Petersen's Hunting . The stockbroker-turned-outdoorsman recalls his days as an African pro hunter in "The Killer Baboons of Vlackfontein." "Four Fangs in a Treetop" records a foray into British Honduras for the jaguar, "a gold-dappled teardrop of motion." Capstick narrowly escapes the Yellow Beard, Central America's deadly tree-climbing snake, and cows "The Black Death" (Cape buffalo) in the kind of article that makes this author "the guru of American hunting fans" ( New York Newsday ). On Brazil's forsaken Marajo Island, he bags the pugnacious red buffalo, which has the "temperament of a constipated Sumo wrestler and the tenacity of an IRS man." The author discusses 12- and 20-gauge shotgun loads; recalls the pleasures of "biltong" (African beef jerky); describes the irresistible homemade lures of snook fishing expert John Gorbatch; and kills a genteel take of Atlantic salmon with the brilliantly simple tube fly. Featuring more than thirty gorgeous drawings by famous wildlife artist Dino Paravano, Death in a Lonely Land is another collector's item by a writer who "keeps the tradition of great safari adventure alive in each of his books" ( African Expedition Gazette ).
First off I must admit that I've never shot anything bigger than a crow. And dragonflies, like Capstick. But Capstick's yarns are ripping. The hunting stories make you feel as if you've actually been there. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is that my interest is more in hunting and fishing stories. But several of the articles are technical pieces on ammunition, which I have no interest in.
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Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
While it is not on the level of some of his previous works, it is still a good read. If this was your first Capstick read it would be even more entertaining. Capsticks powers of description are unequaled in outdoor adventure. In the style of Hemingway and Ruark, he creats a vivid image of far-away places and forgotten times. I miss him.
If you like adventure in the outdoors this book is for you.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
Peter Hathaway Capstick hits the literary nail on the head yet again in this sequel to "Last Horizons." While the stories in this book don't occur predominantly on the African continent as Capstick is known for, the action throughout is especially riveting, especially the stories from Central and South America. Having grown up in South America, I can vouch for the reality in the dangerous encounter Capstick has with the Argentine wild boar. I also enjoyed immensly his jaguar hunts and jounts in Brazil. Just reading this book made me want to go back to the place of my youth and have some of my own adventures! Stick with Capstick, he won't disappoint!
Vintage Capstick
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
Capstick is a pleasure to read. He takes a somewhat comical view of serious situations. Certainly keeps the reading from becoming too dry. I rank him right up there with Robert Ruark.
The inimitable Capstick at his very best.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 28 years ago
Capstick's magic lies in his ability to portray an incident so vividly that you feel the long grass brushing against your bare shins, you hear the roar of the lion as he charges, and feel the complete terror of the moment. Or, he might just take you for an afternoon of BB gun shooting, slipping you back into your own memories where you enjoyed simpler, but no less complete, pleasures. Death in the Long Grass belongs in the bookcase of every person who ever dreamed of a life of adventure
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