Just finished them after a few days of commuting to work. There are 3 cd's and I don't know the length but it's probably 45 minutes each or so and the stories are separated into individual tracks on the cd. It is Finn's voice recounting many stories about the Mau Mau rebellion, early life on the farm, his first and last African animal, his first Mauser rifle, his courtship with Berit (I particularly appreciate his high morals), his writing for the NRA (still one of the most popular authors), and many other interesting stories. Berit is also there and speaks some as well. Finn seems to be answering questions but you do not hear the person who asks them. That was not distracting at all to me.

This is a real down to earth production that I am very thankful they captured on audio before Finn passed on. I wish I could have met Finn. I have friends that knew him and I have never heard one person (including his peers) say anything bad about Finn. He was apparently an exceptional person. His laugh and good humor really come through on these CD's and you will find yourself smiling everytime he laughs. All in all, a wonderful production.

His thoughts on why he likes hunting elephant but dislikes shooting them are quite sobering. He also dislikes shooting the African cats and the reasons why are quite interesting.

I highly recommend these CD's and they are only $25 from Safari Press. That's an incredible value to listen to someone of his stature speak for over 2 hours. I can only hope they will capture more of the great hunters on audio before they are gone.

I ordered the cd last week, along with his Kenya memoirs book. Looking forward to both as I have always enjoyed his magazine articles.

I spent some time with him on a Weatherby-sponsored outdoor writers' junket to its factory in Maine. One of the things we did was shoot Weatherby's rifles. I found it interesting that he shot as fast as he could offhand, while the rest of us did our shooting off benches. He obviously grew up among dangerous game while the rest of us were hunting man-eating deer.

Bill Quimby

For some of you that are iPod experts: when I uploaded the audio book to my iTunes it doesn't pick up the name of the book or any images. Nor dies it distinguish between the three cd's, leaving me with track 1 three times in a row, etc. Anybody have any hints on how to better manage this?

That's an interesting anecdote Bill. I just got back from a deer hunt with someone who knew Finn. We talked about him a great deal and I truly am sorry that I never met Finn. I would like to meet Berit someday and tell her how much I enjoy hearing about Finn and their family stories.

Not sure on the iPod and I have one but haven't tried the audio book function. Have you tried Apple tech support? Sounds like something is wrong with the formatting but it should work.

Wink, how do you like it so far? He would be very entertaining around the campfire.

yk, do you remember the all-time all-star team fantasies that come up from time to time? You know, the greatest ever baseball team, or football team, or whatever. As much as I think there may have been more experienced or better hunters, my all time around-the-campfire after the hunt group is Robert Ruark, Peter Capstick, Finn Aargaard, Tony Sanchez-Arino and Ian Nyschens. I would bet the talk would never end, the arguments would require massive amounts of alcohol for refueling and just to be present to listen would be astounding.

So yes, I love listening to Finn. He was there at the time we wish we were.

With a group like that you are asking for trouble and fireworks! I would at least add Richard Harland and Paul Grobler to the list.

quote:

Originally posted by yukon delta:
With a group like that you are asking for trouble and fireworks! I would at least add Richard Harland and Paul Grobler to the list.

We might achieve critical mass and have to be shielded with lead walls. But I'm willing to try it.

I know (knew, in one case) two of the people on your list. You would not want to be there if they were to find themselves in the same room.

Bill Quimby

Bill must be referring to Nyschens and...Capstick? Those guys were polar extremes to my understanding.

"Bill must be referring to Nyschens and ... Capstick?"

Not Nyschens. That's all I'll say. I shouldn't have mentioned it.

Bill Quimby

Thanks Bill. I know you were acquainted with a number of guys like that and I wasn't meaning to pry. We all know that some of them didn't like each other.

I would have liked to meet each of them but I have to settle for their books and media.