Death in the Silent Places

by Peter Hathaway Capstick

From the master of adventure behind the classic Death in the Long Grass , former big-game hunter Peter Hathaway Capstick now turns from his own exploits to those of some of the greatest hunters of the past with Death in the Silent Places .

With his characteristic color and flair, Capstick recalls the extraordinary careers of men like Colonel J.H. Patterson and Colonel Jim Corbett, who stalked legendary man-eaters through the silent darkness on opposite sides of the world; men like Karamojo Bell, acknowledged as the greatest elephant hunter of all time; men like the valiant Sasha Siemel, who tracked killer jaguars though the Matto Grosso armed only with a spear.

With an authenticity gained by having shared the experiences he writes of, Capstick eloquently recreates the acrid taste of terror in the mouth of a man whose gun has jammed as a lion begins his charge, the exhilaration of tracking and finding a long-sought prey, the bravery and even nobility of performing under circumstances of primitive and savage stress, with death all around in the silent places of the wilderness.

Genres: Nonfiction, Adventure, History, Nature, Animals, Outdoors, Biography

258 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Peter Hathaway Capstick was an American hunter and author. Born in New Jersey and educated at (although did not graduate from) the University of Virginia, he walked away from a successful Wall Street career shortly before his thirtieth birthday to become a professional hunter, first in Central and South America and later (and most famously) in Africa. Capstick spent much of his life in Africa, a land he called his "source of inspiration." A chain smoker and heavy drinker, he died at age 56 from complications following heart surgery.

Reviews

[David Lucero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Hathaway Capstick is a master story-teller. I read his book 'Death in the Long Grass' for research for my latest adventure-thriller ('Big Jim'), also taking place in Africa. Death in the Silent Places goes into delicate detail over several world-renowned professional hunters forever placed in history as being the best of the best professional game-hunters.

It is suprising to learn how during the early days of hunting (unlike today), the hunter stood a 50-50 chance of being mauled, even killed by one of the Big 5. The terror villagers faced by man-eating lions, tigers, and leopards comes to fold in the pages of this book as Capstick describes the cunning ability of the leopard, who follows his prey's own footsteps as he walks in the dark back to his bungalow. The chills felt down his spine when he learns how close he came to being a victim can only be felt when you read the pages for yourself.

I especially enjoyed the parts of professional hunters Patterson and Pretorius, both of whom movies were made about their adventures in the bush tracking and bagging man-eaters. The intricate details Capstick writes have me glued to his pages and I'm going to be reading his next book 'Death in the Dark Continent' soon enough.

I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy escaping in far-off lands of Africa and India.

David Lucero, author

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book granted I am a hunter that loves hunting. This book is about a lot of the different early colonizers and hunters in the 1900s that deal with dangerous game. From elephants and rhinos to jaguars and tigers there is a lot of dangerous game in this book about fascinating men I haven’t heard of before minus Patterson. If you love hunting and are interested this is a great book of real accounts. There is some graphic stuff in it and descriptions about people that have been attacked. But I don’t mind it and I think it’s cool!

[Nhat · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was quite a surprise having read the criticisms regarding Capstick's writing (mostly about the purple prose), not because the criticism is valid but knowing how some people can get so easily distracted by a bit of over the top writing even in such a fine book.
Yes, Capstick does write a bit too flowery sometimes, but those passages are far between and does not hinder the fact that he is a fine writer.
In this addition to his works of hunting stories, he retold the adventures of older and braver men than we are, who hunt dangerous animals ranging from elephants to people with guns. There are six stories about six men, and while they're not equally good each of them at least provide a decent yarn for those who like adventure stories.

1. Lt. Colonel John Henry Patterson

This is the best story in this book, chronicling the construction of Tsavo railroad bridge. Capstick did his research by reading Patterson's book Man-eaters of Tsavo. The Colonel's book is a wider account of the situation at Tsavo, while Capstick's more simplified version primarily deals with the hunting of the two maneating lions. Also unlike the Colonel, Capstick goes right down to the nit and grit of the lions' depredation, describing gore in blatant detail and wallows himself in the action. It is an exciting tale, perhaps almost too dramatic to be real yet it is real. The mind game between man and maneaters is most characterized in this story than most of the others. Part of its appeal comes from the scenario itself: The colonel is sent to supervise the construction of a bridge, involving thousands of migrant workers who the lions make meals off, the colonel cannot leave the camps for long so the whole thing felt like a sort of horror movie where the survivors is holed up in one place and the villains stalk them, picking them off one by one. There is even a final confrontation where the lion is inevitably killed.

2. C. H. Stigand

Capstick directly compares Chauncey Hugh Stigand to Lawrence of Arabia. The comparison is not without merit. This story is fascinating as it does not go into much detail about the hunting.

3. Major P. J. Pretorius

Mostly a military story about a "scout" who fought the Germans alone- at least most of the time. A good war story.

4. Alexander "Sasha" Siemel

Sasha hunts big cats with a spear, how much cooler could that be? Unfortunately, this is one of the weaker stories because there isn't much of the hunting itself.

5. Karamojo Bell

An excellent sharpshooter who is also a poacher. Capstick wrote this story in tribute to the man's great skill with the rifle, not his illegal hunting activity.

6. Colonel Edward Jim Corbett

This man's reputation is scrupulous. I also happened to have read Corbett's book Maneaters of Kumaon, which is one of my favorite books of all time. Among the hunters on this list, no one is as likeable, as goodhearted, and arguably as brave as Jim Corbett. He is praised as a saint in some rural regions of India for his decades long quest in vanquishing maneaters. It's easy to think killing an animal with a gun is cowardly, and it is a valid sentiment most of the time, yet when it comes to maneating apex predators whose habitat is lush forest, whose instincts and smarts and skill in killing and stalking human are honed more sharply than their claws. Anyone who challenge this fact can go prove it themselves, as there are still people in India living under the terror of maneaters.

It would have been the best story in the book, but Capstick's retelling very much paled in comparison to the multi-faceted, nature centric account of Corbett himself. It also helps that Corbett is an exceptional weaver of words, and Capstick, speaking without undermining him, is a good writer. I could not help but compare the two texts as I read, which somewhat ruined my enjoyment of this story.

Capstick writes well, and he is very funny. There are parts that makes me laugh aloud, realizing how witty he is. What this book failed to do for me was to experience the horror of maneaters. It was merely a action book, albeit a good one. I recommend this book, on my overall opinion that Peter Capstick, the personality he expressed in his writing, would be a great drinking buddy because he is funny, a good story teller, and has a lot of stories to tell.

8/10

[John Geary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting collection of stories, basically biographies of professional hunters like John Henry Patterson - who killed the lions of Tsavo (see, “The Ghost and the Darkness,” Val Kilmer, Michael Douglas, 1996) - and James Corbett, who made a living partially by killing leopards and tigers that had become man-eaters in India.
Sandwiched in between those two, there are stories of hunters who became crucial cogs for the Allies in the first two world wars, and a South American jaguar hunter who would dispatch man-eating cats in the Pantanal with just a spear.
Not to everyone’s taste I would imagine, but an interesting, sometimes entertaining, and always educational read.

[Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Peter Hathaway Capstick, a Walstreet businessman turned hunter, recounts the adventures of some of the most awe inspiring of hunters. From Pretorius and "the African Lawrence of Arabia" to Brazil's Sasha Siemel.

The Chicago Sun-Times hit the nail on head when it said, " The terror produced by some of these plased is almost too real. As the pages turn, breathing grows shallow, adrenalin is pumpe into the veins, the palms sweat until the outsome is resolved and there is time to a handerkerchief across a damp brow."

[Caitlin Justice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Death in the Silent Places by Peter Hathaway Capstick tells the true stories of legendary hunters Lt Colonel John Henry Patterson, CH Stigand, Major PJ Pretorius, Alexander Siemel, WDM Bell, and Colonel Edward James Corbett as they hunted down man-eating predators, like lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars, in Africa and Asia.
I had a really hard time finishing this one. The sad thing is, I actually was really interested in the stories, but they were written in such a dry and boring way, it was hard to keep paying attention.

[Brian Grouhel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Hathaway Capstick certainly has a way with words! In this volume he details the lives and deaths of several famous prfessional hunters in Africa and India. It is always fascinating to read about the men who went after the great man-eating lions and leopards in those far away lands. One has to wonder how so many of them managed to stay alive while hunting such dangerous game. Mr. Capstick outlines how, in most cases, they did just that!

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

His stories are utterly amazing fascinating and exciting.

He left behind a white collar job, to become a big game hunter, game warden and a world-renown gun and hunting expert.

Some of his stories will make your hair stand on end

[Gabriel Magill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book to get your blood racing! While I believe this book appeals far more to men than to women, these stories of wild men doing amazing feats in dangerous territories with high stakes is enough to make you want to grab your gun and go hunt a maneater.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely enjoyed it.

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars I read only the sections about man-eaters. This included the experiences of Patterson, Wolhuter, and my man Jim Corbett. Capstick's style is entertaining and captivating!

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn't finish it. Some chapters are damn good, but most of it doesn't have the same quality as Death in the Long Grass.

[Craig Schlossin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stories.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little more gruesome tales of man-eating cats, but stories of the exploits of the hunters fascinating.

[Zachary Tedesco · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories Capstick selected for this book were incredible on their own, but combined with his outstanding storytelling ability and funny quips, this book ended up being a real page-turner.

[Ananthu Rajagopal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

[W · Rating 2 out of 5]

Classic colonialist adventures. Naturally, hilarity ensues.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d read Death in the Long Grass and wanted to read another Capstick book. He’s a born storyteller and the men and man-eaters in this book are gripping.

[Gauge Simons · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was good .im not into reading but it was very intriguing

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite remarkable what the people in this book experienced. It’s wild! Literally.

[Stitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book describing the battles between man and beast.

[WayBackWhen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Great writing. Riveting adventure.

[Mike Disalvo · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[CW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Hathaway Capstick is a master story teller and Death in the Silent Places is an amazing book. In typical Capstick fashion, he weaves interesting tales of other hunters as well as he tells his own stories in other books. Death in the Silent Places gives the reader a summary of many famous hunters and adventurers such as Colonel J.H. Patterson, famous for killing the Tsavo man-eating lions, and Jim Corbett who made his name ridding the Indian subcontinent of many man-eating tigers and leopards. He also introduces the reader to lesser known individuals such as C.H. Stigand, Major P.J. Pretorius, "Sasha" Siemel, "Karamojo" Bell, and others. This book takes the reader on an adventure where these individuals pursue lions, tigers, leopards, buffalo, and the most dangerous game of all, man. Although I have not read all of Capstick's books, I would put his writings at the same level as other great outdoor writers such as Jack O'Connor, Jim Corbett, and Robert Ruark. With a flair for the dramatic, Capstick does not disappoint with this book.

[Preston Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

What most people don't understand about big-game hunting in Africa is that the animals have a much better chance against the hunter than one might expect. The late Peter Hathaway Capstick was born in New Jersey but realized his boyhood dream of becoming a big-game hunter and safari guide in Africa. DEATH IN THE SILENT PLACES explains why each big-game animal is dangerous and then goes on to recount stories about contests that the animals won or lost. Once you've read any of Capstick's books, you will want to read the others. Nobody has written as colorfully or gut-wrenchingly as Capstick about stalking and being stalked by African big-game animals. (My favorite Capstickism: "The things you see when you don't have a rifle...") Recommended for open-minded adults and college and secondary school students who are willing to question the Disney view of animals in the wild.

[Chris Druin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was recommended by two men I highly respect. I read it to my teenage son and we both thought the book was more like a "fish story" written to impress than a realistic story at all. His and the other hunter's adventures may be real but some or a lot of them seem to have added parts that are unrealistic if you truly think about it. The book had extra verbiage about guns, ammunition, and places that may not be necessary or interesting to some but other than that I think it is very much a great boy book with the thought that it may have some fiction added. If you do not care to listen to animals being killed just for fun it will not be a book you enjoy. More of a guy book in my opinion.

[Robin Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bout anything he wrote is supremely worth the read! I'm quite upset that Peter had to up and die on us and thus have his pen stilled! His language is pithy tough numerous and gripping. He describes cape buf as looking at you like you owed them money. ... His description of hearing elephant within 15 yards yet being unable to see them because the eyes inability to resolve something that huge... Fascinating! Stories of doing his duty as pro hunter following up on a gut shot leopard, pausing to smoke, and having the dead beast fall on him from above having led him there with it's own spoor! Who said smoking bad for you ?

[Bryce Nicely · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my best friends recommended this book to me years ago and sat on my shelf, unread, since. I finally decided it was time while looking for something quick to read while my wife finished a book. I had a hard time putting it down once I started.

Of the 6 main stories described in the book, I really enjoyed 5 of them. One of the 6 focused on a man who was a poacher rather than a hunter of man-killing animals. And though it was well written, I don't agree with glorifying a poacher.

[Lisa Greene · Rating 2 out of 5]

I actually read only half this book - 3 of the stories. They were sometimes a bit grisly but very suspenseful; I was on the edge of my seat reading about the lions of Tsavo. It's not the type of book I usually read, but the writing was great. I got bogged down in the chapter about Pretorius and my mind wandered to something else; I may go back and finish it eventually.

[Tim Painter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Capstick is a great writer. In this book he tells the tales of great hunters from the past on the african continent. He is a great story teller and makes the true life episodes of these great hunters come to life.

I highly recommend this book.