The Man-Eaters of Tsavo: True Story of East African Lion Attacks & Colonial Adventures - Perfect for History Buffs & Safari Enthusiasts

Man-Eaters of Tsavo and Other East African Adventures is a well-written account of turn of the previous century East Africa. Col. Patterson, hired to complete a rail bridge over the Tsavo river, enters the scene shortly after a pair of lions have begun to feast on the workers. In plain, matter of fact language, Patterson details the predations of the lions, and his various attempts, finally successful, in killing them. This story was made into the movie "The Ghost and the Darkness" starring Val Kilmer, which, apart from the scenes involving Michael Douglas, is an accurate portrayal of the events that transpired. The uncanny hunting techniques of the lions, and the many abortive attempts to kill them make for an entertaining story. The lions themselves, or their skins anyway, are now on display at the Chicago Field Museum. The Tsavo lion story makes up the majority of this book, but what makes this book special is the inclusion of several other stories by Col. Patterson of his safaris in Africa, and of other violent animal encounters. I specifically searched for this book in order to get the full story of Patterson's tour in Africa, as there are several versions of the book in circulation, most of which cover only the Tsavo story. I found the additional chapters to be a wonderful addition to the main story.