The Tree where Man was BornIn this classic volume, Matthiessen exquisitely combines both nature and travel writing to bring East Africa to vivid life. He skillfully portrays the daily lives of herdsmen and hunter-gatherers; the drama of the predator kills; the hundreds of exotic animals; the breathtaking landscapes; and the area's turbulent natural, political, and social histories. |
From inside the book
Results 1-3 of 30
Page 53
The giraffe were alert to my intrusion but in their polite way gave no sign that they
had been disturbed . crossed a stone ridge where , in winter , a fine lion had
made way for my Land Rover ; I stared about me . In every distance the plain was
...
The giraffe were alert to my intrusion but in their polite way gave no sign that they
had been disturbed . crossed a stone ridge where , in winter , a fine lion had
made way for my Land Rover ; I stared about me . In every distance the plain was
...
Page 115
One - legged or ankles crossed , leaning on their spears , they gaze impassively
at the less aristocratic Africans in the service areas . Ostensibly they have put
aside their warlike ways , but not long ago a dead morani was discovered on the
...
One - legged or ankles crossed , leaning on their spears , they gaze impassively
at the less aristocratic Africans in the service areas . Ostensibly they have put
aside their warlike ways , but not long ago a dead morani was discovered on the
...
Page 212
The light plane skirted Lake Manyara and the dusty flats of the witch - ridden
Mbugwe , then crossed Mbulu Land , on the Kainam Plateau . Soon it passed
over a great silent valley . “ That ' s the Yaida , ” Turner told me . “ That ' s where
those ...
The light plane skirted Lake Manyara and the dusty flats of the witch - ridden
Mbugwe , then crossed Mbulu Land , on the Kainam Plateau . Soon it passed
over a great silent valley . “ That ' s the Yaida , ” Turner told me . “ That ' s where
those ...
What people are saying - Write a review
User ratings
5 stars |
| ||
4 stars |
| ||
3 stars |
| ||
2 stars |
| ||
1 star |
|
LibraryThing Review
User Review - ljhliesl - LibraryThingI saw this title in my goodreads feed because a goodsreads-only acquaintance added it her to-read list without commentary. I immediately requested it from the library. Most of the books I read before ... Read full review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - satyridae - LibraryThingLovely prose, absolutely gorgeous words. Why did I have to stumble over this? Why did no one ever say to me, "Hey, you read all that nature stuff, there's this guy you positively have to read!" I ... Read full review
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
animals appear arrow Bantu birds buffalo bush called camp carried cattle century climb close clouds comes Crater crossed dark dead dogs early ears earth East Africa elephant eyes face fall feet fire forest four grass ground Hadza hand hard head herd hide Highlands hills hundred hunters hunting hyena Kenya Kikuyu killed known Lake Land later less light lion live look Maasai miles morning mountain moved Myles never night once park passed past perhaps plain rain region rhino rise river road rock seemed seen Serengeti shadow side soon stone stood strange thorn thought thousand track trees tribes Tsavo turned valley village walked watch wild wind wood Yaida young zebra