Frozen Leopard: Hunting My Dark Heart in Africa

by Aaron Latham

Describes the author's experiences traveling through Africa, meeting and talking with warriors, activists, and poachers

Genres: Africa

334 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Lela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this book more than 5 stars if I could. Fascinating subject. Excellent writing. I have recommended it to many people -- especially those traveling to Kenya and/or Tanzania. It opened many avenues of thought and helped me understand what that "at home" feeling was in Kenya. Fantastic, well-written book!

[Tittirossa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fregata dalla 4a di copertina che definisce "odissea" questo viaggio, un insulto vero e proprio!

Uno che se ne va in giro con la famiglia ad un safari organizzato con stoviglie d'argento e porcellana, portatori e camerieri a ogni passo, e la guida che organizza ogni singolo passo .... nel 1989. Non nel 1889- E' abbastanza rivoltante che abbia avuto il coraggio in cui dice di essere alla ricerca di se stesso e essersi ritrovato grazie allo stato selvaggio (sic) dell'Africa.

Poco dotato per lo stile descrittivo, zero ironia (si sente pesantemente tutto il suo dramma di scrittore isterilito, senza un tentativo empatico di andare verso il lettore), non riesce a trasmettere il benchè minimo brivido di mal d'Africa che dice di provare.
Il suo safari superorganizzato e superconsumista è una parodia involontaria dell'Africa colonialista, del bravo negro che dice Sissignore Buana.
bleah

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book chronicles a safari taken by Aaron Latham and his family during which he explores both Africa and his own soul and struggle with writer’s block and depression. The descriptions of the African wildlife and geography is fascinating as are the stories of meeting the challenges presented by even a professional guided safari. Latham’s reactions to the animals are particularly interesting.

[Scott Gann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and entertaining read. I’m personally familiar with a few and totally relate to the premise of “the draw of Africa” and the theory of Genetic familiarity. The only part i didn’t like is when he talked about the “theory” of evolution and the ages of the earth.

[Carolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Recommended to me by a hitchhiker, the book starts as a story of a man taking his family to East Africa to forget about his dead sister. His observations and emotions seemed very egocentric, superficial and annoying. I was ready to put it down simply because it idolized every other European traveler who made Africa their home and bored me with his own uninteresting delusions that he could relate to the great wild animals he saw.

It was trying hard to be something it wasn't and should have been, but once the author relaxed and stopped forcing it the observations became more factual and less emotion. He gave some historical accounts of conservationists I had no knowledge of. His final conclusion was obvious, at least to me, but perhaps some haven't thought that much about the topic so I'll leave it at that.

[Susan Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it for the Africa info, but it was more about the author's inner journey out of depression. Most interesting: the number of people who feel they have "come home" when they get to East Africa..perhaps genetic memory?