The Fortunate Tiger and Other Close Encounters selects the most thrilling adventures of Jim Corbett of Kumaon, legendary hunter and author.
Corbett, who bagged his first leopard at ten, with a rifle won in a marksmanship competition, ranged far and wide across Kumaon and Garhwal for much of his life, rescuing villages terrorized by man-eating felines. And, in the stories of his exploits--'The Fortunate Tiger', which seemed to enjoy divine protection from his bullets; 'The Man- eating Tigress of Chowgarh', who stalked Corbett even as he went looking for her; 'The Talla Des Killer', which he was forced to track while nursing a burst eardrum; and 'The Final Man-eater' of Corbett's career, a tigress which he lured and shot using himself as bait--Corbett gives us some of the greatest shikar tales ever told.
Nature and adventure writing at its very best, The Fortunate Tiger and Other Close Encounters is a classic for all time.
Edward James "Jim" Corbett was a British hunter, turned conservationist, author and naturalist, famous for hunting a large number of man-eaters in India.
Corbett held the rank of colonel in the British Indian Army and was frequently called upon by the government of the United Provinces, now the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, to kill man-eating tigers and leopards that were harassing people in the nearby villages of the Garhwal and Kumaon region. His hunting successes earned him a long-held respect and fame amongst the people residing in the villages of Kumaon. Some even claim that he was considered to be a sadhu (saint) by the locals.
Corbett was an avid photographer and after his retirement, authored the Man-Eaters of Kumaon, Jungle Lore, and other books recounting his hunts and experiences, which enjoyed much critical acclaim and commercial success. Later on in life, Corbett spoke out for the need to protect India's wildlife from extermination and played a key role in creating a national reserve for the endangered Bengal tiger by using his influence to persuade the provincial government to establish it. The national park was renamed Jim Corbett National Park in his honour in 1957 after his death in 1955.
He has a way with words. His hunting is commendable, exciting and dangerous. Am sure what started as a sport and a need to survive, has now become a need to save the very animals from extinction. However, what suits the need of the day. All in all, an interesting read.
Entertaining as always. Everytime I read Corbett's books, I sense him being defensive in at some level... About his hunts especially not related to treats from man eaters. Anyways - sometimes you read to just imagine a different world, not to judge.
11 adventures of Jim Corbett in the Indian jungles. The description takes you to the sight of tiger/tigress/leopard/Himalayan bear and other creatures in the jungle.