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. |
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Page 87
Then the short rains fall , and the great herds , drawn by the first flush of new
grass , return to the open plain in the annual movement , known as ... This
eastern region of the plain lies in the rain shadow of the Crater Highlands , and is
very dry .
Then the short rains fall , and the great herds , drawn by the first flush of new
grass , return to the open plain in the annual movement , known as ... This
eastern region of the plain lies in the rain shadow of the Crater Highlands , and is
very dry .
Page 112
... was a day of low At the mouth of Ngata Kiti is Ol Doinyo Rabi still clouds , waxy
gray with the weight of rain . — the Cold Mountain — named for the chill wind On
the plain , the herd animals were rest that sweeps the Gol in summertime ...
... was a day of low At the mouth of Ngata Kiti is Ol Doinyo Rabi still clouds , waxy
gray with the weight of rain . — the Cold Mountain — named for the chill wind On
the plain , the herd animals were rest that sweeps the Gol in summertime ...
Page 113
white clouds cross the black thunderhead behind aisera ; lightning came , and a
drum of rain on the hard ground across the ... I lay content beneath the raining
canvas , head propped upon my kit , and gazed through the tent flap down past ...
white clouds cross the black thunderhead behind aisera ; lightning came , and a
drum of rain on the hard ground across the ... I lay content beneath the raining
canvas , head propped upon my kit , and gazed through the tent flap down past ...
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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
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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
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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