My Kumaon: Uncollected Writings

Night time reading

This little book offers some additional insights into the life and times of Jim Corbett. Corbett is best known for his pursuit of man-eating Tigers and Leopards in the Kumaon district of India and more specifically for the books he wrote detailing those adventures. Corbett's books, first published in the 1940s and 50s, are still in print and well worth reading. Safari Press has a complete boxed set of reasonably priced hardcovers. "Man-Eaters of Kumaon" is the first and best known of his works and is widely available in the used book market. The other volumes are less common. I would recommend "The Man-eating Leopard of Rudraprayag" the most highly among the others.

A must for Jim Corbett fans. This volume didn't exist yet when I first read Corbett, back in 1965 or so. I now own all of his published writings.

Many surprises in this book, never before read letters that give you insights into Jim Corbett's mind as he hunted his man eaters and lived his life.

I had read most of the stuff in the book before, except parts about stuff like his sister sending him cakes when he was out hunting, etc. more information to add to that from Man Eaters of Kumaon, My India, etc.

Jim Corbett's writing is always a joy to read. He takes you to the jungle and you become a part of the situation.

True stories of hunting man-eating tigers and leopards in India. Do not read on a dark and stormy night.

If you haven’t read the other books by Corbett, this book may shine some light. After reading the two omnibuses, this book didn’t appeal me at all.

This book was first published in 2012, has 142 pages, 15 chapters, 18 B/W photos and some line drawings through out this book. The front cover is taken from the 1944 edition of the 'Man-eater of Kumaon'. Some of the unpublished material is on Man-eaters, nature, Kumaon, personal letters, articles written to news papers and letters exchanged between Jim Corbett and his publishers.Jim had slayed 19 man-eater tigers and 14 leopards. Some of these were given names. The book starts with chronology of Jim Corbett and his family from 1862 to 1976 (the Government of India issued stamps to commemorate Jim's birth centenary) and how he came to write his books. Jim had a very good memory and when he wrote his books, he would write step by step, what his eyes had seen and he had felt and heard around him.During the 2nd World War, Jim would carry new ribbons for medals and replace them for frayed and faded ribbons worn by army pensioners. Later, he was appointed lecturer on jungle lore. As he did not know what jungles were like in Burma, he was sent 4 weeks before his men. He demonstrated to them, the camps, calls of the tiger and sambhar and 'various fruits' of the wild. He also taught them about snake and scorpion bites, how to make fire in the jungle, cure with some jungle ointments, how to get clean water and how to imitate jungle sounds. He thank his 6th sense, which had saved him from major incidents while chasing man-eaters.13 letters Jim had written possibly to Maggie (his sister) about his attempts to deal with the man-eater leopard of Rudraprayag in 1925/26, are also narrated. This book was eventually published in 1948. By now Jim was in Nyeri, Kenya and writing his book - 'My India'. Many letters about this book and its reviews are next published. Jim's letters to his editors are also in this book. Next, this book narrates as to what kind of man Jim really was? His universal appeal is strengthened by the letters from people and the reviews of his 6 books. The reaction of the press is also narrated of this courageous and very generous man.There is some new material in this book, but most of the pages are covered by letters between Jim and various people and the feedback from these people on Jim and his books.We were visiting Kenya/Tanzania in August 2014 and were lucky to visit Jim Corbett's last resting place in the old cemetery behind the Baden Powell Museum, in Nyeri, Kenya.Some other books of interest are:-(1) Man-eaters of Kumaon, Jim Corbett 1944 (1989)(2) The Man-eating Leopard of Rudraprayag, Jim Corbett 1951 (1989)(3) My India, Jim Corbett 1952 (1989)(4) Jungle Lore, Jim Corbett 1953 (2000)(5) The Temple Tiger, Jim Corbett 1954 (1991)(6) Tree Tops, Jim Corbett 1955 (1992)(7) Man Against Man-eaters, Jim Corbett 1954 (1956)(8) Jim Corbett of Kumaon, DC Kala 1979 (1999) 2009 (2014)(9) Carpet Sahib, Martin Booth 1986(10)Under The Shadow of Man-eaters, Jerry Jaleel 1997Having born in Kenya, I found this book interesting.

Today I finished my copy of the new Jim Corbett book, 'My Kumaon - Uncollected Writings' published by Oxford University Press 2012. It's 142 pages long and only took the day to read. As the book title suggests it is a collection of previously un-published writings, so not as concise as Corbett's previous books it is more of a scrapbook of work and makes a great companion piece to his first 5 books. The book contains 15 photographs of Corbett (excluding a few images of book covers and memorial sites), only 6 of these photos have been previously published. There are some pencil sketch illustrations at the start of each chapter, these break up the page nicely but are a long way from the quality of the original Raymond Sheppard artwork. In regards to the writing content there are 2 main sections. One part is dedicated to the influence of Corbett's work - including fan letters and critical reviews. The main body of the book is dedicated to un-published writings by Corbett himself. A lot of these are in the form of letters Corbett wrote to relatives and Oxford Press, covering subjects such as the hunt for the Rudraprayag Leopard, the development of his book My India and others. But the main highlight for me was three actual stories written by Corbett previously un-published. One of which he explains his writing method by recounting a story about a Night Jars nest, the other two recount the period during World War II in which he taught soldiers Jungle skills. A must for any Corbett fans

If you love Jim Corbett, you'll enjoy this book. It's not hunting stories, but you learn a lot of interesting stuff about the man behind the hunt.

Well worth a read.... and when you have finished, if you have not already, you will read Corbetts other books.

I am Jim s admirer and again I was not dissapointed. But I notticed some difference in description of events during Rudraprayag hunt. Some events are quite different in letters comparing to story told in Rudraprayags man eater. If that even matters.