Jungle Lore Paperback – May 11, 2000

This is a wonderfully written book on how to kill a whole bunch of animals now on the endangered species list. Jim Corbett needs no introduction of course, and 'Jungle Lore' is as beautifully written as any of Corbett's books. But there are some contradictions in Corbett's books that I find hard to understand, and Jungle Lore is no exception. In fact, whole chapters of the book are devoted to pure sport hunting in the style of his bloodthirsty contemporaries.In Jungle Lore, we are told how Corbett killed "the biggest leopard in India" - because it was "worth shooting". No justification is given or deemed necessary!We are also given a detailed description of a "beat" carried out to please the Viceroy of India. We learn that the hunt went so beautifully that each member of the Viceroy's party "bagged" a tiger.Among other stories, there is one of a tiger - not a man-eater or even a cattle killer - which had been outwitting its would-be killers (a local maharajah and his minions) for years, and which was finally hunted down owing to Corbett's tracking skills.The last couple of stories are particularly distasteful as they show, in microcosm, the demise of Indian wildlife at the hands of the British and Indian aristocracy. Though Corbett calls the tiger a 'gentleman', he does serious damage to his credibility by not recording his opposition to wanton sport-killing. Indeed, he organizes beats for the aristocracy, and frequently shoots tigers and leopards either for sport or for trivial reasons. The common assertion that Corbett ever gave up sport hunting for the camera is surprising, since Jungle Lore clearly states that he shot his last tiger after the Second World War (when he was past 70).As a conservationist, it thus seems that Corbett is not in the same league as his great contemporary, F.W. Champion, whose books 'With a Camera in Tiger-Land' and 'The Jungle in Sunlight and Shadow' inspired a generation of people to give up the gun for the camera. Champion recorded his objection to the hunting of wildlife for sport unequivocally in his books. Moreover, he actually practiced what he preached by completely ceasing to shoot after the mid 1920s, an age when tigers - and huge trophy tigers at that! - were still abundant. Contrast this with Corbett, who shot the magnificent Bachelor of Powalgarh for sport (as described in gory detail in 'The Man-Eaters of Kumaon') in 1930. It is tragic that Fred Champion - whose pioneering efforts produced the first ever photographs of wild tigers, leopards and a host of other wildlife - is hardly known.In the midst of the descriptions of the thrills of hunting, Jungle Lore does contain material, written in Corbett's inimitable style, that describes the rich wildlife of India in a forgotten era. Classic descriptions of the battle between a pair of mating tigers and a big tusker elephant, of the method employed by otters to kill pythons, and of a battle between a crested eagle and a fishing cat are highlights of the book. So also are the descriptions of the methods of tracking wild animals, though it is frequently to put a bullet through them. Given the historical importance of the book, and also its price, it is certainly worth buying if you are interested in Indian wildlife.

As a North American reader, this is an account of another world, and another age. As such, it's a fine opportunity to consider what resonates, and what's outdated. I was sad when I finished reading the last page, and could've enjoyed twice as many chapters.

I love Jim Corbett's stories which are all based on his personal experience. I have read all his books and this is one of the best books he wrote after The Man-eaters of Kumaon.

All of Corbett's books are amazing. His knowledge and respect for wildlife is wonderful.Book arrived in perfect shape.

Wonderful in depth expose' of the life and times of young Corbett. Great look at the adventures of the young man, and how he came to have such a deep love of the learning environment of the jungle.

good read.

This is a very good book. Jim Corbett has a way of keeping your attention and his writing is similar to Capstick's writing.

I love Jim Corbett's books they goid exiciting reads. His stories make you feel like you are there.

very good book and arrived when it said it would.

a great book about nature. very absorbing. i have read his other books also. he writes in a lucid manner. i have read this book earlier also but a borrowrd one. i wanted to own it. a good read.

Received faster than expected. New condition & excellent packaging .

Just extraordinary

Yet again, Jim Corbett's Jungle Lore is an amazing read.