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Jungle Man: The Autobiography of Major P.J. Pretorius
This book is a facsimile reprint and may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages.
- GenresAfricaNonfiction
228 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 17, 2020
This is one of those books where it is difficult to discern between fact and fiction. Though it is easy to read and full of action, it seems more like a novel where the protagonist is just self-promoting constantly throughout. For anyone who have read about the East African Campaign during World War 1, this would be a pain, because Pretorius makes it sound like he single-handedly beat Von Lettow-Vorbeck even though the British forces could not pin him down in 4 years of war.
February 7, 2024
Pretorius was the living definition of "The Great White Hunter". It is common to judge our ancestors by the moral measure of our times. What that results is that virtually none of the folks of prior centuries measure up to our current moral standards including our US Founding Fathers, many who were slaveholders.
That being said, if you want an insight into a snapshot of the early to mid-20th century in Africa, this is an excellent example. Mr. Pretorius was an Africaans-descended person that acquired the wanderlust early. Most of his adult life he was a big game hunter and explorer including having by his own count shot several thousand elephants for their ivory. He also served as a scout for the British forces in Africa during WWI and was instrumental, among other things, of assisting in the location and destruction of a German warship hiding in the rivers of Africa.
His account is of a world long past including some very outdated views on race, etc. I found the book fascinating and one that, if you didn't know was his autobiography, would think as a work of fiction, the accounts are so fantastic. Highly recommended.
That being said, if you want an insight into a snapshot of the early to mid-20th century in Africa, this is an excellent example. Mr. Pretorius was an Africaans-descended person that acquired the wanderlust early. Most of his adult life he was a big game hunter and explorer including having by his own count shot several thousand elephants for their ivory. He also served as a scout for the British forces in Africa during WWI and was instrumental, among other things, of assisting in the location and destruction of a German warship hiding in the rivers of Africa.
His account is of a world long past including some very outdated views on race, etc. I found the book fascinating and one that, if you didn't know was his autobiography, would think as a work of fiction, the accounts are so fantastic. Highly recommended.
December 13, 2019
Escapades of a great white hunter, some unusual, almost all self-inflicted, with no hint of insight to interrupt the action. The trick for authors in the early 20th century was relentless self-promotion via the art of the #humblebrag, and PJ's inflated sense of importance and limited language abilities make this a particularly joyless example. He paints himself w all the good humor of a biting fly, and none of the self-awareness.
True story: a zebra kicked PJ off his horse while he was rustling animals for zoos; that was a highlight for me.
True story: a zebra kicked PJ off his horse while he was rustling animals for zoos; that was a highlight for me.
July 29, 2020
Great Soldier and Hunter
Maj. Pretorius should feature much more prominently in the History of Africa and South Africa. An unsung hero of the War and great Adventurer. Told in the most off hand and unassuming way. As a Soldier, Conservationist, Adventurer plus Professional Hunter; have great admiration
Maj. Pretorius should feature much more prominently in the History of Africa and South Africa. An unsung hero of the War and great Adventurer. Told in the most off hand and unassuming way. As a Soldier, Conservationist, Adventurer plus Professional Hunter; have great admiration
November 19, 2023
Outstanding. African Experience
This book takes you out of civilization on footpaths over mountains and through jungle as if you did it yourself. You experience hunting in a way you thought impossible. Clearly the author had nerves of steel and knew the exact limit of his abilities. An outstanding, one of its kind experience of the old Africa as it was before man tamed it.
This book takes you out of civilization on footpaths over mountains and through jungle as if you did it yourself. You experience hunting in a way you thought impossible. Clearly the author had nerves of steel and knew the exact limit of his abilities. An outstanding, one of its kind experience of the old Africa as it was before man tamed it.
January 27, 2022
Toughest & or dumbest hunter I've heard of.
Spell binding. Almost unbelievable toughest man I ever heard of. The parts about filming the Lion attack scene was scary & hilarious at the same time.
Spell binding. Almost unbelievable toughest man I ever heard of. The parts about filming the Lion attack scene was scary & hilarious at the same time.
February 27, 2022
Pretty comprehensive history of a white hunter in ear!y days
A brave, maybe a little crazy,
risk taker, who hunted big game in Africa for fun and profit. Interesting to hunters, not to peta.
A brave, maybe a little crazy,
risk taker, who hunted big game in Africa for fun and profit. Interesting to hunters, not to peta.
October 30, 2022
great book
Incredible adventurer and great story teller. Enjoyed the book immensely. Can’t imagine what it was like back in very early Africa. The hunting musta been tremendous and the few hunters back then were mighty tough characters.
Incredible adventurer and great story teller. Enjoyed the book immensely. Can’t imagine what it was like back in very early Africa. The hunting musta been tremendous and the few hunters back then were mighty tough characters.
March 20, 2023
Awesome
Good history of a time long past when men with iron nerves took on a wilderness like no other. While some will be turned off by the language used, we must remember that this is History and the world as it was.
Good history of a time long past when men with iron nerves took on a wilderness like no other. While some will be turned off by the language used, we must remember that this is History and the world as it was.
April 29, 2021
Really great book
He was an amazing hunter, amazing person and a hero of the First World War. I highly recommend this book.
He was an amazing hunter, amazing person and a hero of the First World War. I highly recommend this book.
April 20, 2022
Good hunting and better adventures.
April 25, 2022
Amazing adventurous story
Not good reading for animal lovers written at time when we felt we had dominion over the animals. A true adventure.
Not good reading for animal lovers written at time when we felt we had dominion over the animals. A true adventure.
February 24, 2026
Incredible
No doubt the most incredible book ever. And added much in learning as a hunter and understanding to go with me the rest of my life
No doubt the most incredible book ever. And added much in learning as a hunter and understanding to go with me the rest of my life
January 7, 2023
I found this a fascinating snapshot into a way of life long since passed. It is difficult to imagine i life so crammed with adventure. Some of the hunting attitudes of the time are hard to read comingfrom a modern perspective on concervation.
September 4, 2020
P.J. Pretorius when you have a name like PJ your life is going to be an adventure. This gives you an excellent insight into what Colonial Africa was like before it all started coming apart. The 1st world war in Africa was much different than in Europe it was more like raids on each other heavily dependent on the native population for help. I found this book very interesting P.J. is a good story teller and it is not boring. keep in mind some of these things he say happened probably did so only in his mind. A good read.
December 19, 2015
P.J. Pretorius was a ridiculous man in the best — and worst — way. He led an extraordinary life getting in and out of trouble deep in the wilds of Africa, where he also shot just about every animal he ever met in the face. Reading his book, you get the impression that he may have been single-handedly responsible for the decimation of African wildlife. It's a fun read though.
April 30, 2009
Loved this book! This man was an incredible person!
October 14, 2013
well I have this thing about Africa,
so of course found it enjoyable.
just wish I had more time on my hands for long afternoons of reading.
so of course found it enjoyable.
just wish I had more time on my hands for long afternoons of reading.
April 21, 2014
Simply the greatest adventure story ever told. This might be the most fun-to-read book I've ever experienced!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews