Not wildly entertaing !but interesting to people who have an interest in sheep !

James Clark's book, although not a great read, was ahead of its time. It became The Bible for international sheep hunters. There was nothing like it until Raul Valdez did his books.

Bill Quimby

It does have a rousing good read of Gates' Marco Polo sheep though, in the "Legend of Chapinchingal" (can't remember if that is spelled right or not). I enjoyed Clark's book. While several books after his were easier reading and more in depth, I can appreciate his effort.

It's been a long time since I read "Arc," and as usual I couldn't find my copy. However, I may be wrong, but I seem to remember that he included a few articles written by others in it. If so, and the "Legend of Chapinchingal" was written by Elgin Gates I'm suprised anyone would find it enjoyable. I can't get past the first two or three paragraphs of anything he wrote without throwing it down. Gates must have slept with a thesarus. For sure, he never saw an adjective he didn't use (and misuse).

Bill Quimby

quote:

Originally posted by billrquimby:
It's been a long time since I read "Arc," and as usual I couldn't find my copy. However, I may be wrong, but I seem to remember that he included a few articles written by others in it. If so, and the "Legend of Chapinchingal" was written by Elgin Gates I'm suprised anyone would find it enjoyable. I can't get past the first two or three paragraphs of anything he wrote without throwing it down. Gates must have slept with a thesarus. For sure, he never saw an adjective he didn't use (and misuse).

Bill Quimby

He was certainly a self-promonist. I do enjoy his books, though. I also enjoy "Wind In My Face" but Gates was such a card. I do prefer Gates' account of the Marco Polo sheep hunt in his "Trophy Hunter in Asia" over the one in Clark's book.

Read, East of the Sun and West of the Moon, Kermit Roosevelt. Excellent and what a time that must have been.

quote:

Originally posted by billrquimby:
It's been a long time since I read "Arc," and as usual I couldn't find my copy. However, I may be wrong, but I seem to remember that he included a few articles written by others in it. If so, and the "Legend of Chapinchingal" was written by Elgin Gates I'm suprised anyone would find it enjoyable. I can't get past the first two or three paragraphs of anything he wrote without throwing it down. Gates must have slept with a thesarus. For sure, he never saw an adjective he didn't use (and misuse).

Bill Quimby

Bill. Perhaps it is my naivette when it comes to the proper writng skills, but I must say that I enjoyed both of the Gates books I have.
Trophy Hunter in Africa and Trophy Hunter in Asia. They do not compare to the Roosevelt book you so kindly loaned to me but I enjoyed the tales.

East of the Sun West of the Moon is one of my favorite books. An adventure in the truest sense of the word.

Picked up a softcover of Capt Adair's "A Summer in High Asia" to read on the way to SCI next month. Hopefully it will be a good read.

Posted 14 December 2006 05:37 Hide Post
"Bill. Perhaps it is my naivette when it comes to the proper writng skills, but I must say that I enjoyed both of the Gates books I have. Trophy Hunter in Africa and Trophy Hunter in Asia. They do not compare to the Roosevelt book you so kindly loaned to me but I enjoyed the tales."

Hi Bill:

Yes, Gates told great tales. Whether all of them bear any resemblence to what actually happened during his hunts in Africa and Asia can be debated.

Take a very close look at his kill shot photos in "Trophy Hunter in Africa" and you'll see several that should be filed with $3 bills, famous Hollywood virgins, and mythical beasts. They were shot in studios a long way from Africa.

My problem with his writing style is his overuse of whiz-bang adjectives, to say nothing about his self-promotion.

Bill Quimby

Gate's "Trophy Hunter in Asia" contained some of the best hunting stories I've ever read. While his "Trophy Hunter in Africa" was not as well done, he was, by far, the best of his ilk, the post-war American trophy hunter/authors.

"Gate's "Trophy Hunter in Asia" contained some of the best hunting stories I've ever read. While his "Trophy Hunter in Africa" was not as well done, he was, by far, the best of his ilk, the post-war American trophy hunter/authors."

That's what makes horse races, I guess.

Bill Quimby

Bill,
I find that good "adventure writing" often has less to do with the choice of adjectives or sentence structure as it does with connecting with the reader's mind and towing him along. Just the right word or turn of phrase, conveying the imagery and emotional reactions anticipated by the reader. Story-telling is a gift.

"Story-telling is a gift."

I agree. I just think that Gates worked so hard at trying to find the proper adjective that he used everything in sight, even if some weren't appropriate. He also apparently graduated at the top of the class at the Russell Annabell School of Hype.

Bill Quimby

It's my guess Gates expected to enjoy as high a degree of success as an author as he did within his other areas of endeavor. Surely, he gave it his best effort and did rather well, I think, all things considered.

quote:

Originally posted by billrquimby:
"Story-telling is a gift."

He also apparently graduated at the top of the class at the Russell Annabell School of Hype.

Bill Quimby

Well, there you have it. I love Annabel's writing!!!

Bill, you and Dr. Ken Howell are of like mind when it comes to authors like Annabel and Gates, so you are in good company. I, however, am one of the unwashed masses that love the writings of both Annabel and Gates. That doesn't mean I don't enjoy properly written tomes as well. The Roosevelt brothers book mentioned above is one of my favorites. I hope the Brothers, RC Andrews, James Clark, William Morden and several others aren't turning in their graves nestled near the Annabel and Gates books, because I truly enjoy them all.

Makes for a good horse race that we can all enjoy.

I'm really looking forward to the Golabchi book.

"Makes for a good horse race that we can all enjoy."

Agreed.