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26th out of 240 books
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Whatever You Do, Don't Run: True Tales of a Botswana Safari Guide
A hilarious, highly original collection of essays based on the Botswana truism: "only food runs "
In the tradition of Bill Bryson, a new writer brings us the lively adventures and biting wit of an African safari guide. Peter Allison gives us the guide's-eye view of living in the bush, confronting the world's fiercest terrain of wild animals and, most challenging ...more
In the tradition of Bill Bryson, a new writer brings us the lively adventures and biting wit of an African safari guide. Peter Allison gives us the guide's-eye view of living in the bush, confronting the world's fiercest terrain of wild animals and, most challenging ...more
Paperback, 246 pages
Published
October 1st 2007
by Lyons Press
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I loved this book. I thought it was funny and very educational. It was very well written, truly catching each moment.
The author, Peter Allison, left Australia at 19 to backpack through Africa. What started as a one year vacation turned into 7 years of guiding safaris.
The book is written in chapters that each relate a different event that happened. Many of the events involved large beasts found on the African outback. There were some funny stories, as well as some s...more
The author, Peter Allison, left Australia at 19 to backpack through Africa. What started as a one year vacation turned into 7 years of guiding safaris.
The book is written in chapters that each relate a different event that happened. Many of the events involved large beasts found on the African outback. There were some funny stories, as well as some s...more
I bought this book because I plan to get to the Okavango Delta in Botswana with its immense diversity in wildlife. After reading Australian Peter Allison’s African safari-guide tales, I’m aware of dangers I’d not considered, but remain undaunted. Being hopelessly lost in a maze of shape shifting canals and stepping on the back of an alligator while pulling your flimsy boat through shallow waters can be avoided, but it does make an exciting tale. However, being dive-bombed by malaria-carrying mos...more
I really enjoy animal stories. And Whatever you do, don’t run is an animal story and more. It spans 12 years of Allison’s life as a safari leader, first in South Africa and then in Botswana. The safaris he leads are not those of shooting animals, but of wildlife viewing and eco-tourism trips. His stories recount his fellow leaders and other staff, the clientele, and as you can imagine some of the clientele are quite a challenge but most of all his stories are about the animals that live in th...more
Fun, interesting, eminently readable. . just what the doctor ordered, after my last book! A former Australian safari guide – who led safaris in South Africa and Botswana – tells funny tales from his experiences leading Westerners on week-long safaris. Very interesting. Particularly liked his impressions of his tourists and how they lived up to stereotype (Japanese? camera-toting. American? loud. English? stuffy. German? humor-less.* South African? liked to make plans.) If I may cont...more
This is a collection of tales that might be told around a campfire. Some, especially toward the beginning can be disappointingly short. But the writing is honest and by the end you feel like you know Allison as a person. I don't know why people like Bill Bryson. I find him to be whiny. Peter Allison NEVER takes a whiny tone, even when he's relaying being lost, eaten by mosquitoes or facing death by devour from one of the Big Five. For more bush stories by those who aren't native, I'd recommen...more
I have to give this book 5 stars because of my personal connection with the author. Don't get me wrong. I would not rate it 5 stars JUST for 6 degrees of separation...it is a really funny and entertaining book. I have a unique perspective from this book that I will probably never have with any other book in my lifetime. I was very engaged with the characters because I actually KNEW many of them from my work in Botswana. The writing is very witty and the stories sparked so many memories of m...more
Peter Allison's stories about being a safari guide in Africa are pure entertainment. Whatever You Do, Don't Run is filled with fun-to-read stories ranging from idiotic things that tourists do, to dangerous face-to-face encounters with lions.
He has a knack for relating the humorous happenings around camp, including being overrun by mice and a college-like party atmosphere when the guides are off duty. He is also honest about the less glamorous aspects of the job, yet manages to still ma...more
He has a knack for relating the humorous happenings around camp, including being overrun by mice and a college-like party atmosphere when the guides are off duty. He is also honest about the less glamorous aspects of the job, yet manages to still ma...more
It makes you laugh, roll your eyes, shake your head in disgust, and even want to cry. If you've never been on safari, this is an entertaining collection of anecdotes from Peter Allison's days as a safari guide. But for a full appreciation, it's even better enjoyed if you have yourself been on an African safari. Having just returned from one, I can attest that the things he describes are true. He's not making this stuff up or even embellishing it (much). However, I can also attest that the only t...more
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This guy tells some great stories from his time as a wildlife guide in Botswana. I imagine he would be really entertaining as a guest at a dinner party.
But ultimately I found the book disappointing because it never got beyond being a collection of funny stories. There was no overarching narrative or structure, and as a result I never really felt a connection with the writer. In fact I was a third of the way through the book before he mentioned what country he comes from (Australia)....more
But ultimately I found the book disappointing because it never got beyond being a collection of funny stories. There was no overarching narrative or structure, and as a result I never really felt a connection with the writer. In fact I was a third of the way through the book before he mentioned what country he comes from (Australia)....more
I read this book in a night. It is a collection of very interesting stories about life as a safari guide. I was convinced however, that my dream of actually taking part in a safari would not be the safest thing I've done. I value my life too much now to put it in the hands of guides who seem to have a rather cavalier view of the dangers of being in the wilds. The story of how this guide managed to nearly sink his vehicle with his clients in it...and then left them in said vehicle while he ran...more
This is an amusing memoir about the years Peter Allison has served as a safari guide in South Africa and Botswana. I learned a great deal about the animals, a little about the area, and a little about the people he worked with. My biggest disappointment is that throughout the book Peter learns a great deal about the job he does and he become much more confident in himself in that capacity, but otherwise he does not grow. He is well aware that he has failings and that they cause him problems, ...more
I love watching funny You Tube videos, especially when the main star is a child or animal. Probably because, most of the time I am much more amused by someone who isn’t trying to be funny. Plus kids and animals are so much more endearing than adults. I’m also one of those people who laugh hysterically (probably inappropriately) at situations that are usually only funny after they happen and everyone is alive and intact. With that said, this book made me laugh out loud and loudly.
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This book was just as good as Don't Look Behind You!: A Safari Guide's Encounters with Ravenous Lions, Stampeding Elephants, and Lovesick Rhinos, its sequel which I inadvertently read first. In fact, it may be even better. The stories hung together in a more uniform way, they were all indisputably about animals and guiding in Africa, and they were maybe even a little funnier.
Unfortunately, whoever designed the cover is still a moron. It's Photoshopped. And not even Photoshopped well. ...more
Unfortunately, whoever designed the cover is still a moron. It's Photoshopped. And not even Photoshopped well. ...more
I loved reading this book. I've been to Africa a number of times and could identify with many of the tales. In fact 2 of the guides the author worked with were guides we had at Mombo Camp and were among the best guides we've had anywhere.There were a few instances where the author make mistakes that were unpardonable in my book because he put himself and his guests at great risk. That said, I'm sure there are things that happen in a safari camp that I as a guest don't know about and ignorance is...more
I loved this book. I thought it was funny, very well written, and truly caught each moment.
The book is written in chapters that each relate a different event that happened. Many of the events involved large beasts found on the African outback. There were some funny stories, as well as some serious stories. Each one left me wishing I were there experiencing it all.
Aside from being incredibly interesting, the writing was superb. I would definitely recommend this book ...more
The book is written in chapters that each relate a different event that happened. Many of the events involved large beasts found on the African outback. There were some funny stories, as well as some serious stories. Each one left me wishing I were there experiencing it all.
Aside from being incredibly interesting, the writing was superb. I would definitely recommend this book ...more
Dude, it's exactly what it says it is. It's also pretty funny.
I'm not particularly an animal lover the way the author is, but it was neat to read about interesting animal observations interwoven with and funny stories of travelers. Like all good guides, he turns stupid mistakes that I'm sure were miserable that the time into hilarious anecdotes.
Enjoyable enough to make me want to go back to Africa...if I can get him as a guide, maybe.
I'm not particularly an animal lover the way the author is, but it was neat to read about interesting animal observations interwoven with and funny stories of travelers. Like all good guides, he turns stupid mistakes that I'm sure were miserable that the time into hilarious anecdotes.
Enjoyable enough to make me want to go back to Africa...if I can get him as a guide, maybe.
A refreshingly entertaining collection of stories by a man who spent several years guiding African safaris. He mentions in the book how a lot of his job was telling stories to entertain the tourists, and that's about how this book reads. Luckily, he is a fair writer and is generally witty and amusing. FYI, there is a bit of swearing here and there. Occasionally the cleverness is a bit forced, but overall it is natural and amusing. I'm not sure if I would ever want to go on a safari or not, ...more
This book is a series of hilarious short stories about the adventures of a safari guide. The author covers everything from ridiculous guests to uncomfortably close encounters with big animals to anecdotes about what it’s like to be a guide in Botswana. There were many laugh-out-loud I-can’t-believe-that-happened moments, and this book was a great read — especially if you’re thinking about going on a safari.
This is a collection of stories from a safari guide working mainly in Botswana in the 90's. A fun book, the author has a nice writing style and he's very personable. I got this book to read while I was on safari in Tanzania, but didn't have time. I'm glad I read it now, several months later, as it really brought back the feeling of being in Africa and experiencing the wildlife there. It makes me want to go back!
This book is truly an exciting, adventurous laugh-out-loud journey! I think it's somewhat remarkable for one person to both guide safaris and also be able to tell the stories of his adventures with such skill and humor. He also communicates his deep love for Africa, it's people and it's wildlife with depth and passion. I'm surprised Peter Allison is still alive after reading some of these stories...I hope he lives a long time and writes another book!
This book was absolutely hilarious. I was actually laughing out loud at some points, which I don't think I have done in a while with a book. My favorite story is the one about the honey badger's encounter with the leopard. I'm jealous that the writer's been so close to these gorgeous wild animals, but he sounds like someone I'd love to have guide my safari one day. This is a must-read!
Oh my - this book is laugh out loud funny. Peter Allison is a tour guide in Africa, and this book is about his safari tours. In particular, the habits of animals, tourists, and guides. What could be better than a story about a friendly warthog? Or lion showdowns? Friendly elephants?
Not only do I want to go on a safari even more now, but I want to find more of his books.
Not only do I want to go on a safari even more now, but I want to find more of his books.
This was an easy, entertaining read. A collection of short essays by a safari guide that sounded a lot like, "Oh, and this one time..." Some stories were pretty funny, others exciting or interesting. I did feel like the author tried too hard to wrap things up neatly at the end of each story, and his bemused tone often felt forced, but it was okay. A solidly three-star book.
Some of the tales in this book are laugh-out-loud hilarious while others give a short and simple lesson in history. The writing is really good and it's absolutely hilarious when the author puts words to the animals thoughts, especially when they poke fun at him or other humans. Overall, this book is amazing and I am definitely going to have to read the second one!
Michelle Ng
added it
One of the most interesting books I've read. It's light, easy to read, and I was always unwilling to put the book down (when I need to do other things than reading) and eager to find out the author's next "adventure" (not exactly "adventure" but rather "experience"). Great book~ This is a must read for whoever that loves animal and nature, oh, and Africa.
This book was a collection of stories by an Australian-born safari guide mainly in the Okavango Delta of Botswana. I really enjoyed most of the stories. I wish I could give this book 3.5 stars. I did not rate it higher because sometimes it seemed like the author was bragging more about his exploits that should not have been bragged about - intruding upon animals, ruining safari equipment, nearly getting himself killed on numerous occasions. However, it was still very entertaining and some of the...more
This is a collection of stories by a young safari guide working on a game preserve in Botswana. It was one of the suggestions in Book Lust to Go. I picked it because of the title, as those who know me will guess. I love quirky titles. This book had me laughing out loud many times, much to the consternation of my husband.
A delightful, entertaining read for travelers who don't mind laughing at themselves. I read this after my last trip to africa and although our adventures and misadventures were all of a much milder variety I definitely see versions of myself, my family and my traveling companions in these stories. A great read after a trip when all the cuts and scrapes have healed.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The only reason I didn't give it more stars is I don't consider it particularly great literature and the writing is good but not fantastic. That said, it's a fabulous set of fun stories that make me desperately want to head back to Africa! I recommend it for anyone that has an interest in Africa and/or safaris. Fun read.
This was a very enjoyable book written by a Botswana safari guide. It's a collection of short chapters with different experiences, mostly funny, some sad. A great glimpse into his life as an African safari guide, and it's made me think twice about going on a safari! (not that I can afford to, but would love to)
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