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 172
From behind my tree , too big to climb , I see Beasley on the limb of a wild coffee ,
with Vesey crouched below , as the rhino , trotting heavily across the glade ,
emits three horrible coughing snorts . The askari Frank is somewhere out of sight
...
From behind my tree , too big to climb , I see Beasley on the limb of a wild coffee ,
with Vesey crouched below , as the rhino , trotting heavily across the glade ,
emits three horrible coughing snorts . The askari Frank is somewhere out of sight
...
Page 193
Two tall Maasai rise from the grass , casting wild smiles and their few scraps of
Swahili : “ Jambo ! Habari gani ? ” ( What sort of news ? ) They point toward the
volcano , their clubs or rungus like extensions of long bony arms : “ Kilima cha ...
Two tall Maasai rise from the grass , casting wild smiles and their few scraps of
Swahili : “ Jambo ! Habari gani ? ” ( What sort of news ? ) They point toward the
volcano , their clubs or rungus like extensions of long bony arms : “ Kilima cha ...
Page 222
12 Kabaka ' s baby is immobilized by strings of beads , but for all her wealth
Kabaka looks disgruntled , and it is she who raises her voice against the mzungu
' s presence in the camp . The wild Hadza women pay her little mind ; though
shyer ...
12 Kabaka ' s baby is immobilized by strings of beads , but for all her wealth
Kabaka looks disgruntled , and it is she who raises her voice against the mzungu
' s presence in the camp . The wild Hadza women pay her little mind ; though
shyer ...
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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