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Wenn Es Krieg Gibt, Gehen Wir In Die Wüste
Threatened with Internment for the duration of World War II, two young German geologists, Henno Martin and Hermann Korn, sought refuge in the Namib Desert and lived a Robinson Crusoe existence for two and a half years. How they mastered their situation, what they did, thought and observed are the subject of The Sheltering Desert. In it lies the vastness of the landscape, the clear skies, nature's silence in the joy or suffering of her creatures, and the stillness in which the reader, too, may take refuge from the wrongs of civilization.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1957
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
November 14, 2019
An interesting read of two German geologist and their dog escaping into the Namib Desert to avoid internment during World War 2 in South West Africa/Namibia. It tells about their everyday struggle in blistering heat to find food, water and shelter and how they went about surviving by improvising and experimenting. This book is not just about their journey to survive, but also about their spiritual growth during the 30 months they spent in the desert. Eventually they had to capitulate and go back to civilization because one of the men contracted beri-beri and had to get urgent medical attention, otherwise they would probably have spent the entire war in the Namib.
January 17, 2013
This was one of my absolute favourite reads of 2011. I discovered it while researching a trip to Namibia, and I don’t know how I missed this important travel classic.
It’s the story of two German geologists in Namibia at the start of World War Two: Henno Martin, Hermann Korn, and their dog Otto. They watched from a distance as a self-destructive madness engulfed Europe. And they knew they didn’t want any part of it. If they stayed in Windhoek they would no doubt be sent to an internment camp with the other German residents. And so they fled into the Namib Desert instead.
The book tells the tale of how they survived out there for two and a half years. How they learned to hunt and find water, to build shelter and make tools. It’s also filled with astute observations about the human psyche, and what it means to be “primitive.” In one passage, Martin writes, “It was about this time that we noticed a change in the subject of our dreams. Animals began to play an increasing part in them and the distinction between human beings and animals became blurred.” It’s interesting to speculate on how much of our mythology, of shape shifting and anthropomorphic gods, emerged naturally from a hunting life.
I was so impressed by this book that I made the long drive to Kuiseb Canyon just to see with my own eyes the landscape that Henno Martin wrote about and lived in.
It’s the story of two German geologists in Namibia at the start of World War Two: Henno Martin, Hermann Korn, and their dog Otto. They watched from a distance as a self-destructive madness engulfed Europe. And they knew they didn’t want any part of it. If they stayed in Windhoek they would no doubt be sent to an internment camp with the other German residents. And so they fled into the Namib Desert instead.
The book tells the tale of how they survived out there for two and a half years. How they learned to hunt and find water, to build shelter and make tools. It’s also filled with astute observations about the human psyche, and what it means to be “primitive.” In one passage, Martin writes, “It was about this time that we noticed a change in the subject of our dreams. Animals began to play an increasing part in them and the distinction between human beings and animals became blurred.” It’s interesting to speculate on how much of our mythology, of shape shifting and anthropomorphic gods, emerged naturally from a hunting life.
I was so impressed by this book that I made the long drive to Kuiseb Canyon just to see with my own eyes the landscape that Henno Martin wrote about and lived in.
March 23, 2016
Oh, this was beautiful. I started it on my flight out to Namibia and finished it on the flight back. It acted as a fantastic introduction to what I was going to see, and then my own experiences added a whole extra joy to reading the second half. Part survival story, part naturalist's reflections, Martin recounts his experiences with his good friend and colleague as they hid in the Namib desert to avoid being swept up in WWII. There are some odd meandering philosophical ramblings, especially toward the end, but I suppose that's a fair portrayal of where the mind goes after months with only one other person to talk to. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys natural history essays and observations.
January 23, 2021
This is a story that appeals less to emotions and more to the instincts. The carnal "Stone Age" man who lives on at your core.
In other survival stories, rescue means safety at last. But for Henno, Herman and their dog Otto, "rescue" would mean the WW2 era Gestapo taking them to internment and prison.
One part survivalist naturalism, complete with eating the raw flesh of a fresh kill, one part evolutionary and philosophical speculations, one part the struggle of all organic matter against the impending inorganic.
You get to watch as Henno falls in love with the desert that was so harsh and uncivilized at first but now has become the shelter from the war torn barbarism of the modern world.
You watch two modern scientists atavistically overcome death and feel that maybe somehow you could do the same.
Henno is not an author. He is a scientist. This narrative isn't his own design but rather the inherent narrative of the natural world.
The beauty of these pages is surmised in Henno's own words : "The red dunes still lay beneath the western sun like molten metal, but finally the sun sank beneath the horizon and mild nights rose up out of the gorges. Using towels as loin-cloths we sat there and tore apart the ribs of an antelope which we had bagged with difficulty, and gnawed away like carnivorous beasts. But our thoughts were freer and less oppressed than they had ever been, and later that evening Hermann's violin sand triumphantly into the dark night around us."
In other survival stories, rescue means safety at last. But for Henno, Herman and their dog Otto, "rescue" would mean the WW2 era Gestapo taking them to internment and prison.
One part survivalist naturalism, complete with eating the raw flesh of a fresh kill, one part evolutionary and philosophical speculations, one part the struggle of all organic matter against the impending inorganic.
You get to watch as Henno falls in love with the desert that was so harsh and uncivilized at first but now has become the shelter from the war torn barbarism of the modern world.
You watch two modern scientists atavistically overcome death and feel that maybe somehow you could do the same.
Henno is not an author. He is a scientist. This narrative isn't his own design but rather the inherent narrative of the natural world.
The beauty of these pages is surmised in Henno's own words : "The red dunes still lay beneath the western sun like molten metal, but finally the sun sank beneath the horizon and mild nights rose up out of the gorges. Using towels as loin-cloths we sat there and tore apart the ribs of an antelope which we had bagged with difficulty, and gnawed away like carnivorous beasts. But our thoughts were freer and less oppressed than they had ever been, and later that evening Hermann's violin sand triumphantly into the dark night around us."
January 29, 2013
What a tough couple of blokes! Two and a half years in the Namib desert, living off the land, through droughts, sandstorms, and extreme hunger. I was impressed by their tenacity, but I was also aware that there was no way I could live such a savage and primitive life.
I did find the philosophical discussions a little heavy going, but perhaps that is a reflection of the author being a scientist, and also the translation from German. The latter may also have resulted in the high number of typos, which tend to interrupt the flow of the book a little.
There were some great little side comments, like "We boiled the flesh off the baboon's skull and used it as a table decoration."
Overall, a fascinating story of survival, and a respect for the beauty and resilience of the desert.
I did find the philosophical discussions a little heavy going, but perhaps that is a reflection of the author being a scientist, and also the translation from German. The latter may also have resulted in the high number of typos, which tend to interrupt the flow of the book a little.
There were some great little side comments, like "We boiled the flesh off the baboon's skull and used it as a table decoration."
Overall, a fascinating story of survival, and a respect for the beauty and resilience of the desert.
July 5, 2019
I started this book while on a plane flying to Namibia, and continued reading while traveling through the Namib desert. Being in the area where the "action" of this book takes place while reading it was quite poignant. It also helped to get a greater understanding of the landscape of the Kuiseb canyon area and the difficulty Henno and Hermann (and dog Otto, of course) must have had to live hidden and stay hidden in a setting that could be equally unforgiving as it is beautiful.
The ability of the men to stay hidden and live in the desert is amazing. The book does manage to capture the daily struggles without dragging (there were some philosophical meanderings that di drag, however). Truly, I never thought I would be so interested in the tracking, hunting, killing, preparing of game, but it was part and parcel of living off the desert and it was hard not to be utterly curious about how they survived down to the little details.
In the end, it was an illness that forced them from the desert hideout to face the consequences of trying to avoid internment during the war. I give them tons of credit for living through literal feasts and famines of the desert for as long as they did.
The ability of the men to stay hidden and live in the desert is amazing. The book does manage to capture the daily struggles without dragging (there were some philosophical meanderings that di drag, however). Truly, I never thought I would be so interested in the tracking, hunting, killing, preparing of game, but it was part and parcel of living off the desert and it was hard not to be utterly curious about how they survived down to the little details.
In the end, it was an illness that forced them from the desert hideout to face the consequences of trying to avoid internment during the war. I give them tons of credit for living through literal feasts and famines of the desert for as long as they did.
November 9, 2022
I am surprised that this story is not more well known. What a great read! Two German geologists living in South Africa during WWII decide that - life in the desert is the preferable option over an internment camp: so they go set out to live in the desert of South Africa… This book offers a plethora of amazing little tales and stories of humans reconnecting with their hunter-gatherer ancestry.
Excerpt:
“Neither of us had any idea how long you had to smoke meat. I knew that on the peasant farms in the Black Forest, hams and sides of bacon hang up in the chimney all the winter, but Hermann seemed to remember that when you took ham to the pork butcher to be smoked it was ready within two or three days. We decided to try two days.”
Excerpt:
“Neither of us had any idea how long you had to smoke meat. I knew that on the peasant farms in the Black Forest, hams and sides of bacon hang up in the chimney all the winter, but Hermann seemed to remember that when you took ham to the pork butcher to be smoked it was ready within two or three days. We decided to try two days.”
February 22, 2014
A fantastic story of survival in the Namib Desert. The two men approach their adventure and self-imposed exile with open minds and a willing spirit, studying the animals and plants who share the desert with them, learning to make foods like blood sausage on the fly and building relatively comfortable homes in the middle of the desert. The men spend a great deal of time considering biology, philosophy, the ethics of war, and, ultimately, what has contributed to man's and society's development over time, but it's just one component of their incredible story.
August 11, 2022
Eine interessante und schöne wahre Geschichte.
Teils geht es Ewigkeiten um Gesteinsschichten und dann gibt es wieder seitenweise Philosophie.
Nicht immer schön zu lesen, aber definitiv lesenswert.
Außerdem gibt es einen Hund, der Otto heißt - wie süß ist das Bitte?
Teils geht es Ewigkeiten um Gesteinsschichten und dann gibt es wieder seitenweise Philosophie.
Nicht immer schön zu lesen, aber definitiv lesenswert.
Außerdem gibt es einen Hund, der Otto heißt - wie süß ist das Bitte?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2024
The self-authored account of two German geologist defectors who survive in the Namibian desert during WW2.
An awesome mix of whimsy, survivalism, adventure, poetry, philosophy, and science. A stellar read that I'd broadly recommend.
An awesome mix of whimsy, survivalism, adventure, poetry, philosophy, and science. A stellar read that I'd broadly recommend.
August 10, 2019
Henno Martin and his friend and colleague Hermann Korn were geologists in South-West Africa, (in current day Namibia) during the first years of WWII. They were threatened with Internment by the South African Administration, so they had said to each other that if the war caught up with them they would spend the war in the desert. They decided to do just that and take their dog Otto. After 4 days preparation, they moved into an area of the desert that would be hard to track.
This was a wonderful memoir of two very resourceful scientists that survived for 2 years in an inhospitable place. I enjoyed the descriptions of the animals and the environment. The beauty of this desert wilderness in all seasons.
This was a wonderful memoir of two very resourceful scientists that survived for 2 years in an inhospitable place. I enjoyed the descriptions of the animals and the environment. The beauty of this desert wilderness in all seasons.
July 17, 2024
Two german geologists, afraid they would be interned by South African authorities in wwii, escaped into the Namib to hide out until that whole thing blew over.
The author describes in great detail which animals they shot or captured, how they preserved or didn't preserve the meat, how they found water, and all other types of desert survival type stuff. He also describes lots of wildlife observations that were pretty interesting. Oh they also have long philisophical discussions about how modern man is still the same as stone age man and how they like living like stone age men, oh and some really really silly ideas about evolution such as how dreams might play a part in mutations??? Anyways, I guess I "enjoyed" reading those parts, but mostly just for the laughs. The true survival parts were fine, detailed and relatively interesting if VERY VERY repetitive.
This was fine. The survival parts were good enough, but I didn't like the two people particularly well, or at all, and I didn't sympathize with their plight. Oh yeah and when they finally had to come out of the desert cause so that was pretty funny. Anyways, kinda unique book, but pretty average. Wouldn't recommend for anyone who doesn't wanna read about a guy shooting an oryx fifty different times.
The author describes in great detail which animals they shot or captured, how they preserved or didn't preserve the meat, how they found water, and all other types of desert survival type stuff. He also describes lots of wildlife observations that were pretty interesting. Oh they also have long philisophical discussions about how modern man is still the same as stone age man and how they like living like stone age men, oh and some really really silly ideas about evolution such as how dreams might play a part in mutations??? Anyways, I guess I "enjoyed" reading those parts, but mostly just for the laughs. The true survival parts were fine, detailed and relatively interesting if VERY VERY repetitive.
This was fine. The survival parts were good enough, but I didn't like the two people particularly well, or at all, and I didn't sympathize with their plight. Oh yeah and when they finally had to come out of the desert cause so that was pretty funny. Anyways, kinda unique book, but pretty average. Wouldn't recommend for anyone who doesn't wanna read about a guy shooting an oryx fifty different times.
November 14, 2023
Two guys enter the Namib desert in the early years of WWII to avoid the fallout of a war they didn’t believe in. Some stuff is dated, but it’s eminently readable and a great accompaniment to traveling through Namibia.
September 5, 2025
Such a fascinating memoir about their escape to the Namib desert to avoid internment during WWII and how they survived like bushmen out there for two years. It did get a little dry and monotonous at times so it misses five stars for that reason.
April 6, 2020
Henno Martin and Hermann Korn were German geologists, they wanted no hand in the madness of the Second World War. To escape the Nazi’s call up, they escaped to the Namib Desert to live as hunter gatherers and see out the war.
This book is so magical, the insight and intellect of the two men paints the most beautiful and edifying picture of the land and environment.
“We went up the hill behind our house as the twilight rose out of the gorges behind us and a purple glow enveloped the summit of Gams mountain. The green and gold window of evening closed in the west and we knew that there would be frost on the uplands during the night, and that tomorrow the east wind would be roaring among the rocks.”
And their perceptions regarding society are just incredible and so relevant to this day…
“Was there no possibility of saving mankind from self-destruction? The extinct animal species had been forced unwittingly towards elimination, but in man, life, for the first time, had mustered sufficient consciousness to recognise dangerous trends in his development.
What were these dangers? Progress of science, man’s increasing technical mastery? No, the real danger threatening man lay in those gigantic social and political organisations, being ends in themselves instead of means, using the instruments of education and propaganda to suppress individual judgement by creating instinctive mass reaction. These organisations hinder man’s spiritual development, reduce the capacity for moral judgement to a low level, and hand over society to the insensate lust for power of a few individuals.”
This book is peaceful and atmospheric, it is a calming read that has stuck with me for so many years. Henno and Hermann were two men who chose their own path and whilst the world tore itself to pieces they conquered life both physically and mentally and most importantly, peacefully. The Sheltering Desert is a fitting legacy from which we can all learn a thing or two.
This book is so magical, the insight and intellect of the two men paints the most beautiful and edifying picture of the land and environment.
“We went up the hill behind our house as the twilight rose out of the gorges behind us and a purple glow enveloped the summit of Gams mountain. The green and gold window of evening closed in the west and we knew that there would be frost on the uplands during the night, and that tomorrow the east wind would be roaring among the rocks.”
And their perceptions regarding society are just incredible and so relevant to this day…
“Was there no possibility of saving mankind from self-destruction? The extinct animal species had been forced unwittingly towards elimination, but in man, life, for the first time, had mustered sufficient consciousness to recognise dangerous trends in his development.
What were these dangers? Progress of science, man’s increasing technical mastery? No, the real danger threatening man lay in those gigantic social and political organisations, being ends in themselves instead of means, using the instruments of education and propaganda to suppress individual judgement by creating instinctive mass reaction. These organisations hinder man’s spiritual development, reduce the capacity for moral judgement to a low level, and hand over society to the insensate lust for power of a few individuals.”
This book is peaceful and atmospheric, it is a calming read that has stuck with me for so many years. Henno and Hermann were two men who chose their own path and whilst the world tore itself to pieces they conquered life both physically and mentally and most importantly, peacefully. The Sheltering Desert is a fitting legacy from which we can all learn a thing or two.
January 10, 2016
An interesting, readable account of two German scientists who survive for over two years hiding out in the Namibian desert. Another selection from the WWII wilderness survival literature genre that I enjoy. Like many autobiographical accounts, it could be made better by a good non-fiction writer. It may be better in the original German or with a better translation. The copy had strange errors such as German articles like "die" where an English "the" should be.
The book is available as a free download through the Internet Archive, which is where I found and read it. It is a low quality copy with errors and photos that are illegible, but readable since it is hard to find in English (although I see Amazon now has a cheap Kindle version of it without the photos). Interestingly, none of the other large digital repositories of open access material (Google, Haithi Trust) have this one in open access.
The book is available as a free download through the Internet Archive, which is where I found and read it. It is a low quality copy with errors and photos that are illegible, but readable since it is hard to find in English (although I see Amazon now has a cheap Kindle version of it without the photos). Interestingly, none of the other large digital repositories of open access material (Google, Haithi Trust) have this one in open access.
July 13, 2024
A book to savor. I found out about it during my reading of John Vailiant’s “The Tiger” and tracked down a well used paperback copy. It sat on my “To Read” shelf for a few years waiting for me. Not sure what kept me so long. It’s a remarkable account of life away from civilisation, with only the most basic of tools. A real keeper. The narrative dwells on the marvels of the natural world, the development of survival skills, and the introspective thoughts and conversations that arise when companions have time on their hands. I loved it. There’s a 1991 movie of the same name on YouTube which is a fun watch - but only AFTER you read the book. I believe this book is considered historically significant.
February 8, 2011
Memoir of the author and co-worker/friend who took shelter in the African Desert during WWII as German expatriates in their attempt to escape horrors of the War. The pair were anthropologists and geologists. They spent time (other than meeting survival needs) studying and photographing the flora and fauna. The pair travelled/lived with their dog, Otto.
They were eventually caught (turned themselves in) and were fined.
They were eventually caught (turned themselves in) and were fined.
August 8, 2017
This is one of the best books i have read on the Natural History of Southern Africa. Poetry at times is simply beautiful.
July 4, 2025
This is the second time I read The Sheltering Desert and it was a nice reunion with Henno Martin, Hermann Korn and last, but not least, the dog Otto (which makes this book a hilarious read as this dog has a personality).
The premise for the story is simple. Two German geologists native to Namibian (which used to be a German colony, but was handed over to the English after World War I) decide to run off into to the Namibian desert to escape interment when World War 2 breaks out. There they learn to live off the desert, which contrary to what one should believe, has a rich wildlife of Zebras (whose stripes are good camouflage in the stone desert), gemsbok, klipspringers, hyenas to mention a few of the species.
Having a radio, they are informed about the events of the war, which acts as a stark contrast to the nature they go native in, eating raw meat (to get vitamins, so liver is firstly devoured) and also being wrecked by hunger when the hunting fails (after the seasonal rains so the game doesn’t have to go to the waterholes anymore).
The language is simple, but flowing and engaging, and you learn a trick or two when it comes to surviving and staying hidden, and also get the chance to get a acquainted to words that fit the landscape, such as gramadulla and vlei (which I guess comes from Afrikaans).
If you like wildlife books a la Miriam Lancewood or stories with companion animals or just enjoy discovering new landscapes through the eyes of a perceptive author, this book is highly recommended (This edition also came with photographs of the different animals and also explanations where needed).
The premise for the story is simple. Two German geologists native to Namibian (which used to be a German colony, but was handed over to the English after World War I) decide to run off into to the Namibian desert to escape interment when World War 2 breaks out. There they learn to live off the desert, which contrary to what one should believe, has a rich wildlife of Zebras (whose stripes are good camouflage in the stone desert), gemsbok, klipspringers, hyenas to mention a few of the species.
Having a radio, they are informed about the events of the war, which acts as a stark contrast to the nature they go native in, eating raw meat (to get vitamins, so liver is firstly devoured) and also being wrecked by hunger when the hunting fails (after the seasonal rains so the game doesn’t have to go to the waterholes anymore).
The language is simple, but flowing and engaging, and you learn a trick or two when it comes to surviving and staying hidden, and also get the chance to get a acquainted to words that fit the landscape, such as gramadulla and vlei (which I guess comes from Afrikaans).
If you like wildlife books a la Miriam Lancewood or stories with companion animals or just enjoy discovering new landscapes through the eyes of a perceptive author, this book is highly recommended (This edition also came with photographs of the different animals and also explanations where needed).
February 26, 2023
In Zeiten von '7 vs. wild' wirkt Wenn es Krieg gibt, gehen wir in die Wüste wie Pionierband des lebensechten Survival-Abenteuers. Worum geht es: Die beiden Geologen Henno Martin und Hermann Korn waren zur Zeit des Ausbruchs des 2. Weltkriegs auf Forschungsreise in Namibia. Um einer möglichen Verhaftung als deutsche Staatsbürger zu entgehen fliehen mit ihrem Hund und ihrem Geländewagen sie in die Namib und überleben dort für mehr als zwei Jahre. Sie ernähren sich von Tieren und Pflanzen ihrer Umwelt und stellen sich unterschiedlichsten Problemen.
Martins Nacherzählung seiner Tagebucheintragungen ist über den größten Teil des Buches wirklich spannend. Die Stimmung pendelt zwischen Begeisterung über die Schönheit und Vielfalt der Natur und Anstrengung und sorge aufgrund von kaum zu bewältigenden Schwierigkeiten. Der Text ist lehrreich und charakterisiert auch die beiden Wissenschaftler ausführlich genug. Einzig die immer wieder eigestreuten philosophischen Abhandlungen zu Lebewesen, Umwelt und Menschen (die vermutlich während jahrelanger Zweisamkeit in der sozialen Isolation zwangsläufig aufkommen) gestört, denn zum Teil sind Ansichten heute überholt, zum Teil werden auch Offensichtlichkeiten zu sehr zerlegt. Und dennoch ist dies ein beinahe unglaublicher und in jeder hinsicht empfehlenswerter Tatsachenbericht.
Martins Nacherzählung seiner Tagebucheintragungen ist über den größten Teil des Buches wirklich spannend. Die Stimmung pendelt zwischen Begeisterung über die Schönheit und Vielfalt der Natur und Anstrengung und sorge aufgrund von kaum zu bewältigenden Schwierigkeiten. Der Text ist lehrreich und charakterisiert auch die beiden Wissenschaftler ausführlich genug. Einzig die immer wieder eigestreuten philosophischen Abhandlungen zu Lebewesen, Umwelt und Menschen (die vermutlich während jahrelanger Zweisamkeit in der sozialen Isolation zwangsläufig aufkommen) gestört, denn zum Teil sind Ansichten heute überholt, zum Teil werden auch Offensichtlichkeiten zu sehr zerlegt. Und dennoch ist dies ein beinahe unglaublicher und in jeder hinsicht empfehlenswerter Tatsachenbericht.
September 17, 2017
This is the true story of two German geologists who hid from the Nazis in the Namibian desert during World War II. I read this book after a trip to Namibia. On a drive from Sossusvlei to Swapkomund, our guide from Tracking Namibia Safaris showed us a cave where the two geologists lived. (From the description in the book, I'm pretty sure it was the first cave.)
In spite of the problems with scanning the book to an ebook, resulting in some of the words turning to gibberish and even a page or two completely missing, I found this tale fascinating. I enjoyed learning about how the men struggled to survive and the solutions they found to the challenges they faced. It was wonderful that I could picture many of the areas in the book after having visited the region. I do wish that Martin had refrained from waxing philosophical for so many pages in several sections of the latter part of the book. While the musings of the men might be interesting in and of themselves, they were so long that they interrupted the flow of the narrative.
Overall, though, this is a good read for anyone who is a student of history or who has visited or plans to visit Southern Africa.
In spite of the problems with scanning the book to an ebook, resulting in some of the words turning to gibberish and even a page or two completely missing, I found this tale fascinating. I enjoyed learning about how the men struggled to survive and the solutions they found to the challenges they faced. It was wonderful that I could picture many of the areas in the book after having visited the region. I do wish that Martin had refrained from waxing philosophical for so many pages in several sections of the latter part of the book. While the musings of the men might be interesting in and of themselves, they were so long that they interrupted the flow of the narrative.
Overall, though, this is a good read for anyone who is a student of history or who has visited or plans to visit Southern Africa.
June 21, 2019
"The Sheltering Desert" was cited in "The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival." "The Tiger" was OK but "The Sheltering Desert" always sounded like a better book to me.
It was a better book. It is a personal account of how two German geologists and their dog Otto hid in the Namib Desert at the start of World War II; otherwise, they would have been interned in South Africa. The book gets monotonous but that is to be expected when you are forced to survive in the desert for two years like a wild animal; hunting for water and game. The reader gets to survive too.
I recommend the Kindle version of the "The Sheltering Desert" because it is only $2.99. It's not the deal it seems because it was produced by optical character reading the original English translation. Unfortunately, the knucklehead who did the scanning did not edit his work. So about every tenth word has letters that resemble the letters of the word you would expect. For $2.99, I got used to it.
It was a better book. It is a personal account of how two German geologists and their dog Otto hid in the Namib Desert at the start of World War II; otherwise, they would have been interned in South Africa. The book gets monotonous but that is to be expected when you are forced to survive in the desert for two years like a wild animal; hunting for water and game. The reader gets to survive too.
I recommend the Kindle version of the "The Sheltering Desert" because it is only $2.99. It's not the deal it seems because it was produced by optical character reading the original English translation. Unfortunately, the knucklehead who did the scanning did not edit his work. So about every tenth word has letters that resemble the letters of the word you would expect. For $2.99, I got used to it.
June 24, 2018
A true survival story. Two male geologist, not wanting to be inprisoned for the length of WWII in Namibia, decide to survive as long as possible in the desolate desert and canyons.
They learn a lot about themselves. They were sharp cookies to begin with and know far more about survival than I can even imagine before they set out. They make their own bullets and invent many different items. They hunt to survive, try planting gardens, weather the heat and the deluges, but take time to explore the nature that surrounds them. Only illness after 2 1/2 years brings them back to civilization. Truly an adventure story. I was thirsty every time I read the book. Just thinking about it makes my mouth dry.
The one part that shows just how hungry they got was when he had a lizard by the tail and he strained and finally killed him and pulled him out from the crack in the rock.
They learn a lot about themselves. They were sharp cookies to begin with and know far more about survival than I can even imagine before they set out. They make their own bullets and invent many different items. They hunt to survive, try planting gardens, weather the heat and the deluges, but take time to explore the nature that surrounds them. Only illness after 2 1/2 years brings them back to civilization. Truly an adventure story. I was thirsty every time I read the book. Just thinking about it makes my mouth dry.
The one part that shows just how hungry they got was when he had a lizard by the tail and he strained and finally killed him and pulled him out from the crack in the rock.
July 29, 2023
Absolutely brilliant. Sadly this book has been reproduced cheaply from the original and thus none of the photos can be made out but you can find a few online- one page was missing and the text is cut a bit short on a few pages- but despite that this book is an all time favourite now. Sure I’ve a soft spot for Namibia as I’ve travelled through her glorious lands myself, seen some of what they’ve described here- but even if you’ve never been, this book is worth reading. The author has such a way with words to transport you right there with he, Hermann and their dog Otto. They all feel like old friends now. Especially that rascal Otto! The mix of philosophy and nature and survival makes this book a true piece of historical art to be preserved at all costs! Read it! And visit this magical country if you can!
December 2, 2023
This true story was mentioned in The Tiger and intrigued me. It wasn't easy to find a copy of the book but so glad I did. To think these two very young men survived in the desert for 2 1/2 years with 4 days notice, as being German nationals they would have been incarcerated when the war broke out, with Namibia taking the Allies side. That they went through so much hardship, yet still appreciating the beauty around them is very uplifting. They learned so much about the wilderness and themselves in the process. I would love to find a follow up interview or article focusing on Martin's recollections and how it formed the rest of his life. I read this soon after reading The Tiger, both during quarantine, and I think about it to this day. I believe a movie was made of the story at some point but someone should attempt it again.
Used copies are still available at Abes Books.
Used copies are still available at Abes Books.
April 1, 2024
I loved reading about the landscapes, the wildlife, and the ways in which these two resourceful men managed to survive in the desert. If the entire book had focused on those it would have been a five-star read for sure. I lost patience with the intellectual speculation and philosophizing about questions that have largely been answered or at least clarified scientifically since this book was written. I started skipping those parts by the end. I also struggled with the casual racism that was typical for the time and with the author’s characterization of some animals as ugly, brutish, or disgusting when they were simply trying to live just as the author was. I was particularly disturbed by some incidents of casual cruelty, especially one involving a hyena.
All in all, I’m definitely glad I read the book, but I’m also happy to be moving on to something else.
All in all, I’m definitely glad I read the book, but I’m also happy to be moving on to something else.
May 19, 2019
This is a phenomenal book. Henno Martin and Hermann Korn, German-Namibian geologists, seek to evade internment at the start of WW2 by hiding out in the desert. The pair are both intellectual and practical – engaging and enquiring minds coupled with solid, much-needed survival skills. The account of their years in the desert is both gripping and inspiring - an endurance test coupled with the ability to analyse their experience and use it to construct a world view and consider major philosophical themes. I was blown away by this book. I was especially lucky to read it while travelling through Namibia. My very basic understanding of the terrain they were inhabiting made the book very personal for me. Strongly recommend (whether you're going to Namibia or not!)
September 14, 2023
Written by Dr. Henno Martin, updated by J.C. Ryan this book, The Sheltering Desert, is based on the true story of two German geologists who wanted to escape pending internment in Namibia during World War 2.
They packed a lorry and set off into the wilds of Namibia, easily one the most hostile environments on the planet, for the most part ignorant what it would take to survive the Namib Desert.
Yet they survived.
And their story for the two and a half years they spend in the Namib, makes for fascinating reading. It is also a lesson in humility as we learn what being a human is and would entail when your life is at risk and you have but little or no options in surviving day to day in a hostile environment.
An eye opener.
Enjoy.
They packed a lorry and set off into the wilds of Namibia, easily one the most hostile environments on the planet, for the most part ignorant what it would take to survive the Namib Desert.
Yet they survived.
And their story for the two and a half years they spend in the Namib, makes for fascinating reading. It is also a lesson in humility as we learn what being a human is and would entail when your life is at risk and you have but little or no options in surviving day to day in a hostile environment.
An eye opener.
Enjoy.
October 17, 2024
An amazing feat - staying alive for two-and-a-half years in the Namibian desert. Impressive how much they achieved. Fascinating how much they learned about desert life. Interesting, their philosophical discussions. Martin writes well (and/or the translator did a good job), when in descriptive mode, e.g., page 154, "and the west wind tore the thinning cloud into silver threads."
Note that gemsbok is what we call oryx nowadays.
This edition's typeface has unlikable quotation marks. And it is full of typos (Was it proofread? I found about 26 flaws.) - punctuation missing, wrong words, missing words, spacing errors, inconsistent spellings and a few questionable things, e.g., zebras don't have "flowing" manes. Page 133, unduly.
Note that gemsbok is what we call oryx nowadays.
This edition's typeface has unlikable quotation marks. And it is full of typos (Was it proofread? I found about 26 flaws.) - punctuation missing, wrong words, missing words, spacing errors, inconsistent spellings and a few questionable things, e.g., zebras don't have "flowing" manes. Page 133, unduly.
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