Death In The Silent Places

Time and again Capstick was snide-sighted to the suffering of the victims and their families while hindsighted to skills missing in those bent on saving them.


Tangling with the maneaters   November 22, 2002
 12 out of 12 found this review helpful

Capsticks books are always a delight and this is no exception. Instead of his usual "first person" yarns, this is a look at some of the most famous and gripping hunts of all times- hunting man eaters. The book covers a number of famous hunts, and the standout really is the famous Man eaters of Tsavo (imortalised in "the Ghost and the Darkness" film).

The stories by themselves would be gripping enough, but with Capsticks absolutly delightful style- he would make a Motorcycle repair manual amusing- the book is a gem. I read it in two days, and have read it twice since.

Most highly recommended.

Grade: A+


Death in the Silent Places   December 24, 1999
 32 out of 33 found this review helpful

Capstick does it once again. This book takes you along with some of the most famous and infamous hunters ever to walk the planet. He starts with John Patterson, the killer of the Maneaters of Tsavo. Find out just how close the lions came to winning! Next is Chauncey H. Stigand a pig iron tough SOB who was a military master, and a big game hunter. Find out how tough he was when a rhino ripped of his left pectoral and he walked unaided 10-15 miles before lying down! Then meet P.J. Pretorious, the one man wrecking crew of the German war machine in East Africa. He did every thing but shoot the guns to sink the Konigsberg the famed German was ship, as well as capturing an entire German column. Next is Sasha Seimel, perhaps the only white man ever to hunt jaguar with only a spear! Read how he almost lost to a man-killing jaguar. Then meet W.D.M. "Karamojo" Bell, the finest elephant who ever lived. Bell used rifles so small some people would not even use them for deer. Read how he avoid being killed or poisoned by natives, and how he could shoot birds from the air with his rifle. Next up is Jim Corbett, the finest hunter of maneating tigers and leopards ever to walk. Discover the hidden tricks of animal call and signs. See how close Corbett comes to ending up as a statistic. In the final chapter, Sir Samuel Baker gives you and idea of how tough Asian Water Buffalo are in "The Charge of Sixpence". Harry Wolhuter proves a man can kill an adult male lion with a knife! And, Capstick goes a buffalo spearing, not the best of ideas.


Capstick, once again, transports us to Africa's beauty   September 24, 1998
 8 out of 10 found this review helpful

Like no one else, except for Ruark, Capstick again takes us on a journey through the true majesty that is Africa. If these tales were told by anyone of smaller stature, they would seem boastful. Coming from Cappie, they are like a day at the office. Those of us who were lucky enough to meet the man can vouch for his veracity, and mourn his passing