Use Enough Gun

by Robert Ruark

Book by Ruark, Robert

Genres: Africa, Nonfiction

333 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1952

About the author

Robert 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...

Reviews

[Chris]

Research for my 2022 novel set, in part, in the Serengeti.

[Cory Cepelak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would remind potential readers that this book was written years ago, and legitimate hunting like Ruark engaged in is not done anymore. I found the historical aspects of the stories fascinating, and Ruark’s love of Africa shows clearly. He also criticizes unethical hunting and notes the scarcity of some species even then. As far as the writing, I found it far more modern and unpretentious than I would have expected- humor, slang, hyperbole, and frequent self-denigration. I’ve read a few older hunting, shooting, fishing, and outdoors books, but this is my first Ruark. I look forward to others.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Use Enough Gun by Robert Ruark (New American Library of World Literature Inc. 1966) (799.296). Originally entitled Use Enough Gun: On Hunting Big Game, this is a collection of Ruark's stories (previously published) about big-game hunting in Africa in the days where the game and the continent seemed endless and where the “Great White Hunter” could have whatever his heart desired. They don't make 'em like Robert Ruark anymore. My rating: 7.5/10, finished 1985.

[Dannorcott · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Use Enough Gun" an autobiography by Robert Ruark is a good read, just not for the faint hearted. This book is a compilation of the true stories of Robert Ruark who went on Safaris in Africa during the late 1940's and throughout the 1950's. This obviously takes place before conservationists were present in Africa due to the merciless killings of animals now being protected. I did not realize how this book was going to unfold before reading it, I knew it was about a hunter but did not know how much detail he would get into. I rented this book to paint mental pictures of Africa and the animals in it. Again not for the faint of heart, but if you can force yourself to get over the killings of animals (like I had to, which wasn’t easy) such as lions, elephants, zebra, water buffalo, leopards, and hyenas; then you will enjoy this book immensely like I am.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Another a-list read from Ruark! I’m not surprised. I was surprised that this book ultimately lead to be a combination of his previously written stories/books, rather that its own stand alone. But that was not a disappointment as I relived some of my favorites from Horn of the Hunter, and delved into others like Uhuru and Honey Badger. Plus the additional excerpts from some of his magazines. Well written, entertaining, and immersive while still feeling like you’re sharing stories around a campfire. It felt fitting and very poetic that the end story was about an elephant!

[Chris Jarred · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably 3.5 stars. Not as good as Capstick, but I think PHC may have lifted a few lines from this one.

[Craig Schlossin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book on African hunting.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written!! You might have to just get past the fact this was a different time with different rules and expectations. If you can set that aside, it's a great book.

[2patnt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Ruark writing. This book is one of the most sought after memoirs of a hunter in Africa. A truly engaging book. It lacks a bit of the wonderful prose of other Ruark books but is still a very worthwhile read and one for the collector's shelf.

[Barrett Bevacqua]

This book is not made for the faint of heart. It is about hunting, so many animals are killed, including jaguars, elephants, and cape buffaloes. Also, Ruark goes into deep detail about the process after they are killed, and it would definitely be overwhelming for those who don't like hunting. But, Because I hunt, I really like it. It describes the hunting process very well; the suspense of the hunt and the thrill of the kill. It is a great book and should be read by those interested in hunting.