dan mcnickle

"Lati knew his stuff and before the sun was high we were on the trail of a small herd. These elephant had fed into thick thorn scrub. We could hear them up ahead, close, but we couldn't see them as visibility was close to nil. I reached for some dirt to sift through my fingers and track the breezes. The elephant were almost stationary, languidly browsing. Judging from the contented purring of their stomachs, they had no idea we were there. We inched closer, the heat and the tension oppressive. Twenty yards; ten yards; ten feet. We could see them, but couldn't make out one end from the other, nor could we see any ivory. Big gray slabs of wrinkled hide was all that was discernable, and even that seemed to pulse and dance out of focus in the heat and thorn. Lati touched my shoulder, motioning to back off. At mid-day the breeze was bound to give us away. We backpedaled, guns ready...."

The countries of East Africa were getting independence in the 1960's and the Teachers of East Africa Program, run by Columbia University, was one vehicle used to expand the staffing of the secondary schools so these countries could quickly muster the manpower necessary to run their own affairs. I was fortunate enough to be selected as one of the teachers, and this book is the story of my four years spent in Tanzania: teaching, hunting and touring. In the process I had many wonderful experiences with the people, some close calls with the elephants, climbed an active volcano, presided over a polling station in the first Presidential election in Tanzania, and hunted with ear gatherers.

I tried to skim Dan's book after we returned from Africa. But it's not the sort of piece you should skim. I really enjoyed all of it, but especially the writer's voice and consciousness -- young, male, enthusiastic, brash, reflective, smart, brave, appreciative and oh so full of life! I loved it!

Dr. Rudy Martin, retired, Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington.

I want to add that Dan's writing brought back for me the absolute beauty and wonder of East Africa.

Dr. Gail Martin, retired Antioch University, Seattle, Washington