Wild Beasts and Their Ways, Reminiscences of Europe, Asia, Africa and America — Volume 1 By: Samuel White Baker (1821-1893)
Wild Beasts and Their Ways, Reminiscences of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America — Volume 1 by Samuel White Baker is a captivating memoir that takes readers on a thrilling journey through the world's most exotic continents. Baker, a renowned explorer and big game hunter, shares his firsthand experiences and insights into the behaviors and habitats of wild animals he encountered during his travels. The book is divided into two parts, with the first part primarily focusing on Baker's adventures in Europe and Asia. From the dense forests of Russia to the snowy landscapes of Scandinavia, the author vividly describes his encounters with bears, wolves, and other wildlife, offering readers a glimpse into the intricacies of their habits and survival strategies. Baker's meticulous observations, combined with his adventurous spirit, make for an engrossing narrative that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. The second part of the book delves into Baker's expeditions in Africa and America. Here, he recounts his thrilling encounters with elephants, lions, and other majestic creatures that roam the vast plains of the African wilderness. The author passionately shares his conservationist beliefs and sheds light on the devastating effects of hunting and deforestation on these magnificent animals. His deep respect and admiration for the beauty of nature shine through his eloquent prose, leaving readers with a heightened sense of environmental awareness. One of the book's standout features is Baker's ability to transport readers to the heart of each location he visits. His evocative descriptions of landscapes and animal behaviors paint vivid mental images, allowing readers to immerse themselves fully in the vast savannahs of Africa or the untamed forests of Asia. Additionally, the author's conversations with local communities and native guides provide fascinating insights into the cultural significance of wildlife in these regions. While Wild Beasts and Their Ways focuses on hunting and Baker's experiences as a big game hunter, it's important to approach this memoir with an understanding of the historical context in which it was written. In today's world, attitudes towards hunting have shifted significantly, and the book's content may not align with contemporary values regarding animal conservation. However, Baker's observations and firsthand accounts still hold immense value in terms of understanding the wildlife of a bygone era and the challenges faced by its inhabitants. In conclusion, Wild Beasts and Their Ways, Reminiscences of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America — Volume 1 is a compelling memoir that offers a unique perspective on the natural world. Samuel White Baker's passion for exploration and dedication to wildlife conservation shines through every page, making this book a worthwhile read for anyone interested in adventure, wildlife, or the history of exploration. First Page: Wild Beasts and their Ways Reminiscences of Europe, Asia, Africa and America by Sir Samuel W. Baker F.R.S., F.R.G.S., etc., etc. Volume 1 CHAPTER I THE RIFLE OF A PAST HALF CENTURY Forty years ago our troops were armed with a smooth bore musket, and a small force known as the "Rifle Brigade" was the exception to this rule. The military rifle carried a spherical bullet, and, like all others of the period, it necessitated the use of a mallet to strike the ball, which, being a size larger than the bore, required the blow to force it into the rifling of the barrel in order to catch the grooves. Sporting rifles were of various sizes, but they were constructed upon a principle generally accepted, that extreme accuracy could only be obtained by burning a very small charge of powder. The outfit required a small mallet made of hardwood faced with thick buff leather, a powerful loading rod, a powder flask, a pouch to contain greased linen or silk patches; another pouch for percussion caps; a third pouch for bullets. In addition to this cumbersome arrangement, a nipple screw was carried, lest any stoppage might render necessary the extraction of the nipple. The charge of powder in ordinary use for a No. 16 bore (which carried an ounce spherical ball) was 1 1/2 dram, and the sights were adjusted for a maximum range of 200 yards... Continue reading book >>

Wild Beasts and Their Ways, Reminiscences of Europe, Asia, Africa and America — Volume 1 By: Samuel White Baker (1821-1893)

Wild Beasts and Their Ways, Reminiscences of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America — Volume 1 by Samuel White Baker is a captivating memoir that takes readers on a thrilling journey through the world's most exotic continents. Baker, a renowned explorer and big game hunter, shares his firsthand experiences and insights into the behaviors and habitats of wild animals he encountered during his travels.

The book is divided into two parts, with the first part primarily focusing on Baker's adventures in Europe and Asia. From the dense forests of Russia to the snowy landscapes of Scandinavia, the author vividly describes his encounters with bears, wolves, and other wildlife, offering readers a glimpse into the intricacies of their habits and survival strategies. Baker's meticulous observations, combined with his adventurous spirit, make for an engrossing narrative that keeps readers hooked from start to finish.

The second part of the book delves into Baker's expeditions in Africa and America. Here, he recounts his thrilling encounters with elephants, lions, and other majestic creatures that roam the vast plains of the African wilderness. The author passionately shares his conservationist beliefs and sheds light on the devastating effects of hunting and deforestation on these magnificent animals. His deep respect and admiration for the beauty of nature shine through his eloquent prose, leaving readers with a heightened sense of environmental awareness.

One of the book's standout features is Baker's ability to transport readers to the heart of each location he visits. His evocative descriptions of landscapes and animal behaviors paint vivid mental images, allowing readers to immerse themselves fully in the vast savannahs of Africa or the untamed forests of Asia. Additionally, the author's conversations with local communities and native guides provide fascinating insights into the cultural significance of wildlife in these regions.

While Wild Beasts and Their Ways focuses on hunting and Baker's experiences as a big game hunter, it's important to approach this memoir with an understanding of the historical context in which it was written. In today's world, attitudes towards hunting have shifted significantly, and the book's content may not align with contemporary values regarding animal conservation. However, Baker's observations and firsthand accounts still hold immense value in terms of understanding the wildlife of a bygone era and the challenges faced by its inhabitants.

In conclusion, Wild Beasts and Their Ways, Reminiscences of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America — Volume 1 is a compelling memoir that offers a unique perspective on the natural world. Samuel White Baker's passion for exploration and dedication to wildlife conservation shines through every page, making this book a worthwhile read for anyone interested in adventure, wildlife, or the history of exploration.

First Page:

Wild Beasts and their Ways

Reminiscences of Europe, Asia, Africa and America

by Sir Samuel W. Baker F.R.S., F.R.G.S., etc., etc. Volume 1

CHAPTER I

THE RIFLE OF A PAST HALF CENTURY

Forty years ago our troops were armed with a smooth bore musket, and a small force known as the "Rifle Brigade" was the exception to this rule.

The military rifle carried a spherical bullet, and, like all others of the period, it necessitated the use of a mallet to strike the ball, which, being a size larger than the bore, required the blow to force it into the rifling of the barrel in order to catch the grooves.

Sporting rifles were of various sizes, but they were constructed upon a principle generally accepted, that extreme accuracy could only be obtained by burning a very small charge of powder.

The outfit required a small mallet made of hardwood faced with thick buff leather, a powerful loading rod, a powder flask, a pouch to contain greased linen or silk patches; another pouch for percussion caps; a third pouch for bullets. In addition to this cumbersome arrangement, a nipple screw was carried, lest any stoppage might render necessary the extraction of the nipple.

The charge of powder in ordinary use for a No. 16 bore (which carried an ounce spherical ball) was 1 1/2 dram, and the sights were adjusted for a maximum range of 200 yards... Continue reading book >>

Genres for this book
Animals
Non-fiction

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