My Dad sent me a copy of Death in the Long Grass that he picked up at a used bookstore. I already have a copy and would be glad to share this copy with someone that might enjoy it. Whether you believe Capstick was or was not a fraud, he has an entertaining writing style and his books greased the skids for many of us who have gone to Africa.

If you do not have a copy and think you would enjoy the book, let me know and I will be happy to ship it to you. Merry Christmas.

The book that sent me to Africa!

If Capstick was alive today I want to have a word with him!

He has cost me lots money!

You and me both.

Opening your Christmas gifts early? Don't be surprised if you get coal next year.

LOL, no he just saw it in a bookstore and picked it up and sent it along. I know better than to screw with Santa.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
The book that sent me to Africa!

If Capstick was alive today I want to have a word with him!

He has cost me lots money!

haha.

Personally, after Horn of the Hunter, Ruark is the one I would look at like he owed me money.

Well if we are pointing fingers here ... I'm blaming Saeed and this darn African hunting forum of his. Without it, I would have probably never become so obsessed with hunting, dangerous game, Africa and this all-together expensive hobby. Thanks a lot Saeed!

Thanks for the generous offer Mike.
I am reading a copy I just bought from Safari Press.
The first time I read it was a borrowed copy from a friend, who by the way built my safari rifle for me after that.
Ruark & Capstick have both cost me a LOT of money & I don't want a nickel of it back.
IMHO, it was money well pissed off.

I would love to have a copy of the book. Thanks for your generous offer. tell me how we make a plan.
Diego
Happy x-mas.

Diego, how fitting. I cannot think of anyone I would rather share the book with. PM me your address and I will get it in the mail to you tomorrow.

Very nice of you Mike.

Like a lot of others Capstick first introduced me to Africa. Sitting in the old Lompoc, Ca. city library as a young kid devouring every word of the volumes in the nonfiction, hunting section.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Diego, how fitting. I cannot think of anyone I would rather share the book with. PM me your address and I will get it in the mail to you tomorrow.

Well done Mike! Well deserved Diego!!!

When I read the first line in the Cape Buffalo chapter ( The man who was about to die padded softly along the narrow trail...) I was a goner.

Death in the Long Grass by Capstick sparked the interest when I was 17. Thirty years later I started lurking on this site and 11 months later I booked the hunt of my dreams for tuskless and buffalo. It was the adventure of a lifetime that I literally think about everyday!
Here is that first hunt post....
http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/2261089761

quote:

Originally posted by JCS271:
Death in the Long Grass by Capstick sparked the interest when I was 17. Thirty years later I started lurking on this site and 11 months later I booked the hunt of my dreams for tuskless and buffalo. It was the adventure of a lifetime that I literally think about everyday!
Here is that first hunt post....
http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/2261089761

You know what I remember the most about your hunt report . . . in every single picture that you are in, you are wearing a big, ear-to-ear smile. That is what it is all about.

SO, so much fun to read!!!

This is the final resting place in the Luangwa valley of Peter Hankin. Everyone who has read DITLG knows of this place. It is somehow special…magical… The wind whispering through the mango tree's somehow speaks to you… it demands your return.

I made many thread making fun of Capstick years ago. In all reality, I truly admire the man, fraud of not. Drunkard, who cares. He inspired me to hunt Africa, he inspired me to write about it as well.

damn well said, Steve- and applies to me as well...

I was about 17 also when my father told me about the book. He read the book and couldn't stop talking about it. When I read it I also found it absolutely amazing. It was my first book about Africa and hunting Africa I ever read. Since then I've been hooked. It's taken some time but right now I'm reading Horn of the Hunter.

My wife has read a few of Capstick's books but not DITLG. Santa conveniently just delivered and placed a copy under our Christmas tree for her.

I forgot to mention, I have an autographed copy of it as well.

Okay, now you are just bragging. Suffice it to say my used book store copy is not signed, although, now that I think of it how many people really remember or ever knew what Capstick's signature looked like . . .

Diego, book is boxed up (together with some bonus reading) and will go in the mail today. Be careful the ink on the title page may be a little wet still.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Okay, now you are just bragging. Suffice it to say my used book store copy is not signed, although, now that I think of it how many people really remember or ever knew what Capstick's signature looked like . . .

Diego, book is boxed up (together with some bonus reading) and will go in the mail today. Be careful the ink on the title page may be a little wet still.

Way to go Mike!!

I first became acquainted with Capstick's writing in my early 20's - and like many previous posters - was captivated by his writing style and the stories he set to paper.

I ran a hunting operation for birds in those days - and hosted a regular client and a guest for an afternoon pheasant hunt. I sold a license to the guest - and as I processed it, noted his address as Pretoria, South Africa. Interest piqued - I looked over the rest and realized it was PHC himself! Shooting pheasants on my club!

I didn't pester him for an autograph (never been much into "hero worship" and never bought a used t-shirt), but in hindsight have reflected often on the "coincidences" and chance meetings that inspire life choices.

I also took a photo of Hankin's gravesite. I use it as a marker in my copy of Death in the Long Grass.

I have the complete leatherbound and signed collection of Capsticks book. He also did a print signing called "The Last Ivory Hunt" that came out the same time as the book about Wally Johnson. I have #385.
Never get tired of going back and re-reading his books. There are a lot of good books out there but NO ONE has been able to describe Africa the way Peter did. He was taken much too soon.

quote:

Originally posted by SBT:
I also took a photo of Hankin's gravesite. I use it as a marker in my copy of Death in the Long Grass.

I felt some kind of extraordinary power emanating from this place. If Peter Capstick was the fire that got many of us to Africa, this site may very well be the fuel or epicenter of all dangerous game hunting, everywhere.

I feel honored to have knelt here and paid my respects.

Steve

This book was given to me by the husband of my secretary at that time.

We became good friends, she passed away since then, and he is my partner in a couple of businesses we run together now.

He is not a hunter, and refuses all my invitations to go on safari.

Walter says we cannot blame him, as he has seen some of idiotic things we used to do here while participating in one sport or another!

Goes to show that some people do have brains, while others don't!

Capstick could pile it up, high and deep, both.

But he did it with a wickedly self-deprecating style.

Never have I enjoyed the wading through of it more than I have enjoyed wading, and laughing, and appreciating, my way through his.

Bravo, Mike.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
The book that sent me to Africa!

If Capstick was alive today I want to have a word with him!

He has cost me lots money!

I enjoyed it too, Ruark , J Hunter great stories.

Great offer Mike , good on you. Have a good one.