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Horn of the Hunter: The Uniquely Personal Story of Famous Writer on Safari
No other book can give you the feel of Africa like this one can.
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1953
125 people are currently reading
680 people want to read
About the author
Robert Ruark
75 books80 followersRobert Ruark was an author and syndicated columnist.
Born Robert Chester Ruark, Jr., to Charlotte A. Ruark and Robert C. Ruark, a bookkeeper for a wholesale grocery, young Ruark attended local schools and graduated from New Hanover High School in Wilmington, North Carolina. He graduated from high school at age 12 and entered the University of North Carolina at age 15. The Ruark family was deeply affected by the Depression, but despite his families' financial travails, he earned a journalism degree from the University of North 'Carolina at Chapel Hill.
During World War II Ruark was commissioned an ensign in the United States Navy. Ruark served ten months as a gunnery officer on Atlantic and Mediterranean convoys.After the war Ruark joined the Scripps-Howard Newspaper Alliance. As the New York Times said, Ruark was "sometimes glad, sometimes sad, and often mad--but almost always provocative." Some of his columns were eventually collected into two books, I Didn't Know It Was Loaded (1948) and One for the Road (1949).As he grew in notoriety, Ruark began to write fiction; first for literary magazines, and then his first novel, Grenadine Etching in 1947.
After he began to gain success as a writer, Ruark decided that it was time to fulfill a lifelong dream to go on safari to Africa. Ruark took an entire year off and began a love affair with Africa.As a result of his first safari, Ruark wrote Horn of the Hunter, in which he detailed his hunt.
In 1953, Ruark began writing a column for Field & Stream magazine entitled ''The Old Man and the Boy''. Considered largely autobiographical (although technically fiction), this heartwarming series ran until late 1961.
Ruark's first bestselling novel was published in 1955. It was entitled Something of Value and was about the Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya.
Sometimes belittled as “the poor man’s Hemingway,” Ruark has nevertheless retained a loyal following among fans of nature writing. Bland Simpson wrote that he produced “some of the best ‘portraiture in words’ of hunting, fishing and life in the field that we have.”
Ruark died in London on July 1, 1965 most likely as a result of alcoholism.
Robert Ruark is buried in Palamos, Spain.
Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_R...
Born Robert Chester Ruark, Jr., to Charlotte A. Ruark and Robert C. Ruark, a bookkeeper for a wholesale grocery, young Ruark attended local schools and graduated from New Hanover High School in Wilmington, North Carolina. He graduated from high school at age 12 and entered the University of North Carolina at age 15. The Ruark family was deeply affected by the Depression, but despite his families' financial travails, he earned a journalism degree from the University of North 'Carolina at Chapel Hill.
During World War II Ruark was commissioned an ensign in the United States Navy. Ruark served ten months as a gunnery officer on Atlantic and Mediterranean convoys.After the war Ruark joined the Scripps-Howard Newspaper Alliance. As the New York Times said, Ruark was "sometimes glad, sometimes sad, and often mad--but almost always provocative." Some of his columns were eventually collected into two books, I Didn't Know It Was Loaded (1948) and One for the Road (1949).As he grew in notoriety, Ruark began to write fiction; first for literary magazines, and then his first novel, Grenadine Etching in 1947.
After he began to gain success as a writer, Ruark decided that it was time to fulfill a lifelong dream to go on safari to Africa. Ruark took an entire year off and began a love affair with Africa.As a result of his first safari, Ruark wrote Horn of the Hunter, in which he detailed his hunt.
In 1953, Ruark began writing a column for Field & Stream magazine entitled ''The Old Man and the Boy''. Considered largely autobiographical (although technically fiction), this heartwarming series ran until late 1961.
Ruark's first bestselling novel was published in 1955. It was entitled Something of Value and was about the Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya.
Sometimes belittled as “the poor man’s Hemingway,” Ruark has nevertheless retained a loyal following among fans of nature writing. Bland Simpson wrote that he produced “some of the best ‘portraiture in words’ of hunting, fishing and life in the field that we have.”
Ruark died in London on July 1, 1965 most likely as a result of alcoholism.
Robert Ruark is buried in Palamos, Spain.
Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_R...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 19, 2011
This book will be loved by some and hated by others. It follows Ruark (SOMETHING OF VALUE)and his wife on a safari (both gun and camera, though the cameras were lost during the safari) in Africa during the 1950s. I read this book years ago and still keep it on my shelves.
Ruark has written other good outdoor volumes as well as the classic I mentioned above. If you enjoy outdoor sports this may be a book you'll love.
This book touched me in a way that it's hard to explain if you don't feel it yourself. There's an understanding here that hunting is more than killing. Those who disapprove of hunting on spec (as they munch a hamburger, wearing their leather belt and shoes etc.) will not get what I say and may sneer at it. But it's something that the people I'm talking to will understand. This is a special book to me.
Ruark has written other good outdoor volumes as well as the classic I mentioned above. If you enjoy outdoor sports this may be a book you'll love.
This book touched me in a way that it's hard to explain if you don't feel it yourself. There's an understanding here that hunting is more than killing. Those who disapprove of hunting on spec (as they munch a hamburger, wearing their leather belt and shoes etc.) will not get what I say and may sneer at it. But it's something that the people I'm talking to will understand. This is a special book to me.
March 22, 2013
Written in 1952, you will appreciate the dialogue spoken and written during this time. At no time does the reader feel these hunters killed for fun. Back then this was a profession. Unlike today where hunting is more so for poaching. The writer is witty, talented, and knew he had a good story to tell. His wife accompanied him on this safari and you actually feel you're right alongside them in the land rover, traveling across the Serengeti Plains, visiting the frontier town of Arusha, and taking in the wildlife on the veldt. I read this book for research on my next novel I'm writing. I did not expect to be so entertained.
October 17, 2024
A quintessential safari read.
December 16, 2020
This is officially a 3.5, but until Goodreads.com accomplishes the equivalent of curing cancer and cracks the how-to-include-half-a-star code in its ratings, I will round up in order to communicate how well-written this book is.
I have read a lot of autobiographies and travel descriptions that were absolute garbage. So, to find an adventure/travel account that is so well done is to find something worthy of praise. Ruark was a journalist/writer by trade, so maybe it's not a fair fight. Still, I was happily surprised how much I enjoyed this account of an early-50s safari.
Three remarks: 1) There is a considerable lull in the middle of the book - maybe 75 pages in length within the last half. 2) Also, there is not much in the way of waxing philosophical to this book. The few times Ruark attempts such a thing are quite enjoyable and I wish he would have chosen to do so more. 3) A book written by an American adventurist about Africa and Africans in the 1950s is bound to have a certain tenor that may not be palatable for those with a bent toward critique. However, if the book's title intrigues, by all means partake. You will be glad if you do.
I have read a lot of autobiographies and travel descriptions that were absolute garbage. So, to find an adventure/travel account that is so well done is to find something worthy of praise. Ruark was a journalist/writer by trade, so maybe it's not a fair fight. Still, I was happily surprised how much I enjoyed this account of an early-50s safari.
Three remarks: 1) There is a considerable lull in the middle of the book - maybe 75 pages in length within the last half. 2) Also, there is not much in the way of waxing philosophical to this book. The few times Ruark attempts such a thing are quite enjoyable and I wish he would have chosen to do so more. 3) A book written by an American adventurist about Africa and Africans in the 1950s is bound to have a certain tenor that may not be palatable for those with a bent toward critique. However, if the book's title intrigues, by all means partake. You will be glad if you do.
October 23, 2015
Fantastic book. Story of his African Safari in the 1950's. Before communist butchers, failed socialist governments, poachers and human encroachment which destroyed much of Africa and its animals. This is a story about Africa in its pristine beauty. One of Ruark's best. If you are are the type to be easily offended by the written and spoken word, and you judge those in the past by present immoral standards, please don't read this book, stick with your politically correct garbage.
November 7, 2021
adventure and beauty
On recommendation from another author, I picked up this book, figuring the travel and foreignness of time and place would be interesting. Instead of interested, I was captured and captivated by the characters, the landscape,the animals and a world that no longer exists. The black and white drawings are a bonus. When I finish this review, I’m looking for his other books. Enjoy the wild…..
On recommendation from another author, I picked up this book, figuring the travel and foreignness of time and place would be interesting. Instead of interested, I was captured and captivated by the characters, the landscape,the animals and a world that no longer exists. The black and white drawings are a bonus. When I finish this review, I’m looking for his other books. Enjoy the wild…..
October 24, 2012
This is a fantastic book. Not just a safari book, although it is that primarily. It's also a look at a mess of a marriage between two alcoholics with money. The book is almost single handedly responsible for rejuvenating the safari industry, although I'm sure jet travel and Capstick claim a share of the credit for that also.
August 25, 2020
In 'Horn of the Hunter,' author Robert Ruark tells the story of a Tanganyikan safari he took with his wife in late '40s or early '50s. Ruarke is the archetype of the 1950s man's man, with all the casual racism, misogyny, colonialist attitudes, and assumed superiority that implies.
Still with me? Early in the book, he writes, "The hunter's horn sounds early for some, I thought, later for others. For some unfortunates, prisoned by city sidewalks and sentenced to a cement jungle more horrifying than anything to be found in Tanganyika, the horn of the hunter never winds at all. But deep in the guts of most men is buried thje involuntary response to the hunter's horn, a prickle of hjte nape hairs, an acceleration of the pulse, an atavistic memory of his fathers, who killed first with stone, and then with club, and then with spear, and then with bow, and then with gun, and finally with formulae. How meek the man is of no importance; somewhere in the pigeon chest of the clerk is still the vestigial remnant of the hunter' heart; somewhere in his nostrils the half-forgotten smell of blood. There is no man with such impoverishment of imagination that at some time he has not wondered how he would handle himself if a lion broke loose from a zoo and he were forced to face him without the protection of bars or hjandy, climbable trees." If your heart thrilled while reading that passage, this book is for you. If not, you'll find that reading this book is like attending a tiresome dinner party with a host whom you realize you don't particularly like.
I fall in the latter category. I grew up in the woods, but I never took to hunting. I don't particularly like fishing, for that matter - both strike me as tedious pursuits I'd as soon pay others to do for me. Still, I was willing to give this book a shot as it was recommended by a friend. I need to learn to take the advice of another friend, who argues for simply discarding books that don't work for us.
Why two stars, instead of one? Well, it is clearly written, all the commas are in the right places, and it doesn't insult the reader's intelligence. This book may not be for me, but that doesn't me it isn't for anyone. I recommend it to hunters and to big Hemingway fans.
Still with me? Early in the book, he writes, "The hunter's horn sounds early for some, I thought, later for others. For some unfortunates, prisoned by city sidewalks and sentenced to a cement jungle more horrifying than anything to be found in Tanganyika, the horn of the hunter never winds at all. But deep in the guts of most men is buried thje involuntary response to the hunter's horn, a prickle of hjte nape hairs, an acceleration of the pulse, an atavistic memory of his fathers, who killed first with stone, and then with club, and then with spear, and then with bow, and then with gun, and finally with formulae. How meek the man is of no importance; somewhere in the pigeon chest of the clerk is still the vestigial remnant of the hunter' heart; somewhere in his nostrils the half-forgotten smell of blood. There is no man with such impoverishment of imagination that at some time he has not wondered how he would handle himself if a lion broke loose from a zoo and he were forced to face him without the protection of bars or hjandy, climbable trees." If your heart thrilled while reading that passage, this book is for you. If not, you'll find that reading this book is like attending a tiresome dinner party with a host whom you realize you don't particularly like.
I fall in the latter category. I grew up in the woods, but I never took to hunting. I don't particularly like fishing, for that matter - both strike me as tedious pursuits I'd as soon pay others to do for me. Still, I was willing to give this book a shot as it was recommended by a friend. I need to learn to take the advice of another friend, who argues for simply discarding books that don't work for us.
Why two stars, instead of one? Well, it is clearly written, all the commas are in the right places, and it doesn't insult the reader's intelligence. This book may not be for me, but that doesn't me it isn't for anyone. I recommend it to hunters and to big Hemingway fans.
March 13, 2023
Reading Ruark's work makes me simultaneously want to go on an African Safari and makes me want to never go on an African Safari, which is a compliment to his writing. He does not make his adventure overly romantic- he includes all the gritty details such as being eaten alive by mosquitos and tse tse flies while crawling through swamps for hours. Ruark writes with such skill, wit, and self-deprecation that this book is a joy to read. This would be an tedious book to read if it were not for Ruark's humor and insightful details about the people, places, and wildlife he encounters. I now never want to see a Cape Buffalo in the wild.
August 5, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I spent 6 months in Southeast Ethiopia working with the people of that harsh land. Reading Robert's adventures took me back to my time there. While we were in different countries and regions, much of what Robert described in terms of the environment and the day to day life in Africa mirrored my experiences. When reading this book, do not miss the smallest details, from how it feels come back to camp after a long day or the sounds of the night. There is so much more to this book than the hunt, which I also thoroughly enjoyed as well.
February 17, 2024
A must read for every big game hunter. You’ll be transported to a safari in Africa in the early 1950’s.
It is neat to notice the cultural differences not just of the people but also of the art of hunting. For example at one point the protagonist is really disappointed because a kudu he shot turned out not to be fully mature (basically he wanted a bigger trophy). I couldn’t even comprehend something like that today.
It is neat to notice the cultural differences not just of the people but also of the art of hunting. For example at one point the protagonist is really disappointed because a kudu he shot turned out not to be fully mature (basically he wanted a bigger trophy). I couldn’t even comprehend something like that today.
April 21, 2024
I liked the Old Man and the Boy a lot. This was ok and there were stretches of wonderful nature writing but the author seemed to be talking himself up a good bit in a promotional way. I liked him a lot more as a boy lol.
Big game hunting has not aged well. He defends it in the book, making a few valid points, but still it’s pretty ridiculous.
I most enjoyed some of his reflections on his experiences in WW2 and the safari camp life. I’ll read more of his stuff.
Big game hunting has not aged well. He defends it in the book, making a few valid points, but still it’s pretty ridiculous.
I most enjoyed some of his reflections on his experiences in WW2 and the safari camp life. I’ll read more of his stuff.
September 13, 2019
Great descriptions of hunting in Tanzania during pre-Independence. As someone who doesn't hunt, I felt very sorry for the animals the whole time and was baffled that Ruark could talk about how beautiful and majestic the animals were right before he "walloped" them. How could he stand it? But again--I'm not a hunter. Ruark's sense of humor throughout the book made it an entertaining read.
June 11, 2021
The Best American Big Game novel
By 21 century standards this is a tough read with its outmoded attitudes to many aspects the modern reader would find difficult but if you want to know how big game safaris felt in the. Golden age of the 50s this is the novel to read. Superior in my opinion to hemingways green hills
By 21 century standards this is a tough read with its outmoded attitudes to many aspects the modern reader would find difficult but if you want to know how big game safaris felt in the. Golden age of the 50s this is the novel to read. Superior in my opinion to hemingways green hills
March 7, 2023
Africa as it used to be
As expected, excellent writing. His descriptions of Africa put you in the bush with him. Excellent parallels between his wartime close calls and African adventures. Probably could not be allowed to use some of his descriptive prose in this day and age without getting cancelled.
As expected, excellent writing. His descriptions of Africa put you in the bush with him. Excellent parallels between his wartime close calls and African adventures. Probably could not be allowed to use some of his descriptive prose in this day and age without getting cancelled.
November 24, 2025
If you have finished every Ernest Hemingway novel, this is a good book to read next. The author's style is quite similar to Hemingway's and covers big game hunting, which should suit any Hemingway reader who likes Death in the Afternoon. The writing starts off in the "good" category, and sometimes becomes downright great towards the end. Enjoy!
December 15, 2018
Though a thoroughly ingenious and descriptive read, the author inserts many whimsical observations that are a bit dated for today's reader. But his talent for portraying nature and all her subtle, nuanced glory is timeless. Much like Hemingway's novels are timeless for the first time reader.
February 16, 2019
This book was a gift from a good friend who encouraged me to travel to Africa on safari. What a great story that fills the mind with wonder and adventure. The book did the trick and we are planning our second trip to Africa.
March 5, 2021
Absolutely loved this book
Wow, what a great book. This was a pure joy to read. So cool to read about the simplicity of a safari in the early 50’s. My favorite African safari book so far!
Wow, what a great book. This was a pure joy to read. So cool to read about the simplicity of a safari in the early 50’s. My favorite African safari book so far!
October 23, 2022
Unmatched hunting and writing
Beyond good is "Horn Of The Hunter" and its edited counterpart "Use Enough Gun". Only Ernest Gann's flying epic from the 1950's compares. Read them all, then read them again.
Beyond good is "Horn Of The Hunter" and its edited counterpart "Use Enough Gun". Only Ernest Gann's flying epic from the 1950's compares. Read them all, then read them again.
August 8, 2025
Not the salt of the earth...
Failed to capture my interest. Annoying untranslated swaili words. Narrative without a genuine voice. Wordy, soulless, colorless, boring. Not a compelling reading by any stretch of the imagination.
Failed to capture my interest. Annoying untranslated swaili words. Narrative without a genuine voice. Wordy, soulless, colorless, boring. Not a compelling reading by any stretch of the imagination.
September 8, 2025
If you want to know what an African Safari was like back in the good old days, then this is the book for you. Has terrific descriptions of stalking, hunting, killing, and wildlife.
Brief tangents of philosophy. Snippets of war flashbacks. Dry humor. Very British. Entertaining.
Brief tangents of philosophy. Snippets of war flashbacks. Dry humor. Very British. Entertaining.
May 24, 2020
I picture of Africa in a by-gone era.
January 15, 2024
Fantastic sporting literature on Africa
August 3, 2025
One of two books about safaris read for our trip to Africa (in addition to the first Tarzan book). Similar to Green Hills which follows but with more wit and humor.
April 20, 2019
Great book
Fantastic read. You can definitely tell it was written awhile ago. Love it. Would recommend to all. Great book about hunting in old time Africa
Fantastic read. You can definitely tell it was written awhile ago. Love it. Would recommend to all. Great book about hunting in old time Africa
June 20, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I am sad to have finished this, but so thoroughly enjoyed reading this that I am happy to have experienced it. I find it hard to encapsulate my thoughts and heart felt emotions tied to this book, even more so that Green Hills, which was comparably as good.
I have read parts of Ruark's other books, and have his quotes strewn throughout my office and notes. I have resonated with his writings well before I ever read any of his work on my own. This was my first and I have to say it will be hard to beat. I felt all of the emotion portrayed in this recount of his safari as close to home as if I were there myself...which I have found myself in before.
I felt as if I was in conversation with a friend, rather than reading the book on my own. The structure was easy to read, I was teleported right to their sides through every hunt and conduct in camp, and I related so much to Ruark on many occasions. I highlighted over 100 parts throughout the book, and made many notes. At times I felt like I was reading some of my own thoughts or writing, as we shared so many parts so similarly that I forgot I was reading a book all together.
The parts in Swahili were difficult at times since the translations were not available, but I was able to take direction through context clues that I never felt lost. I loved the additional drawings from Ruark's notes, and the old photographs that further humanized the experience. I found it endearing that Ruark exercised the highs and lows of every point throughout the hunt, and even touched on his brief happenstances with Hemingway, whom he admired. I felt like the admiration was passing through me: I love Hemingway, too. And now I feel myself reading over Ruark and having the same sense of "so much to ask" that he did unto 'Papa'.
I am emotional over the reading of this book for reasons unique to me and not, as this is truly a classic. I am honored to have this on my shelf and have never loved a book more.
I am sad to have finished this, but so thoroughly enjoyed reading this that I am happy to have experienced it. I find it hard to encapsulate my thoughts and heart felt emotions tied to this book, even more so that Green Hills, which was comparably as good.
I have read parts of Ruark's other books, and have his quotes strewn throughout my office and notes. I have resonated with his writings well before I ever read any of his work on my own. This was my first and I have to say it will be hard to beat. I felt all of the emotion portrayed in this recount of his safari as close to home as if I were there myself...which I have found myself in before.
I felt as if I was in conversation with a friend, rather than reading the book on my own. The structure was easy to read, I was teleported right to their sides through every hunt and conduct in camp, and I related so much to Ruark on many occasions. I highlighted over 100 parts throughout the book, and made many notes. At times I felt like I was reading some of my own thoughts or writing, as we shared so many parts so similarly that I forgot I was reading a book all together.
The parts in Swahili were difficult at times since the translations were not available, but I was able to take direction through context clues that I never felt lost. I loved the additional drawings from Ruark's notes, and the old photographs that further humanized the experience. I found it endearing that Ruark exercised the highs and lows of every point throughout the hunt, and even touched on his brief happenstances with Hemingway, whom he admired. I felt like the admiration was passing through me: I love Hemingway, too. And now I feel myself reading over Ruark and having the same sense of "so much to ask" that he did unto 'Papa'.
I am emotional over the reading of this book for reasons unique to me and not, as this is truly a classic. I am honored to have this on my shelf and have never loved a book more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2011
I am a life long Ruark fan, working my way through his work. His books are worth reading in chronological order, following his life. Old Man and the Boy is one of my all time favorites, and to see where he went from there is amazing.
This book is written in a style similar to Hemingway's Green Hills of Africa, but with a different perspective on the African safari. I felt like I was there the entire time and spent an hour after finishing looking at how I could go to Africa also! Ruark has an infinitely deep respect for wildlife and conservation and the art of fair chase. He puts it eloquently, the animals taken on safari will live immortally in his mind and in the mind of any conservationist and true hunter.
Well done, Ruark.
This book is written in a style similar to Hemingway's Green Hills of Africa, but with a different perspective on the African safari. I felt like I was there the entire time and spent an hour after finishing looking at how I could go to Africa also! Ruark has an infinitely deep respect for wildlife and conservation and the art of fair chase. He puts it eloquently, the animals taken on safari will live immortally in his mind and in the mind of any conservationist and true hunter.
Well done, Ruark.
May 29, 2016
Borrowed this from my dad when he heard I was trying to introduce more non-fiction into my reading habit. It's a relatively quick and easy read (Ruark was a journalist and also published several novels, so he has a knack for storytelling) with a surprising amount of humor. While I rarely chuckle out loud while reading, it happened several times during Horn of the Hunter. Be forewarned that some observations may not fall comfortably into today's standards of political correctness; this safari account is a window into the past in more ways than one, but I didn't find any of the author's views so overwhelming as to ruin the book. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone interested in African big game, whether as a hunter or from a purely observational/anecdotal standpoint.
August 28, 2013
One of the finest books ever written on Hunting period. Ruark odes Hemingway's Green Hills of Africa hands down. In this book we follow a man and his wife from New York's high life to the backwoods African bush. We discover what a buffalo really looks like, and how you feel when he looks at you! We discover fear, anxiety, restlessness, pride, triumph, and in the end respect and joy. A very highly recommended book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews