The Second Jim Corbett Omnibus: `My India', `Jungle Lore', `Tree Tops' Hardcover – December 1, 2001

I fell in love with Jim Corbett's extraordinary life with "Man-Eaters of Kumaon," his first and most famous book--and who couldn't? The breathtaking and near-unbelievable experiences of one of the greatest sportsmen to ever live would captivate anybody. But it was clear, from the very first page, that despite his career as a hunter of man-eating tigers, Jim Corbett was deeply and madly in love with India and all the beauty and majesty she contained. These are his stories, a deeply touching and personal look into the less-known Corbett--the doctor, the builder, the railway engineer, the bird-watcher, the little boy who wandered the jungles barefoot with a bow-and-pellet. "My India" describes some of the extraordinary people and stories Corbett encountered during his time in India. "Jungle Lore" is equal parts autobiography and school primer, as Corbett gives us a taste of his vast store of knowledge of the forest and its denizens. "Tree Tops," Corbett's last story, chronicles Queen (then Princess) Elizabeth's visit to Africa and her experiences there. These stories may have fewer man-eating tigers than is usual for Corbett, but they are no less fascinating; near-death experiences and fantastic tales abound, as do accounts of extraordinary human loyalty, bravery, and kindness. When I read "Man-Eaters of Kumaon" and "The Temple Tiger," I fell in love with Jim Corbett the hunter, the sportsman, the perfect shot. In the three stories in this omnibus, I fell in love all over again with Jim Corbett the ultimate gentleman, the healer, the man with unshakeable principles, remarkable humility, and an apparently magnetic attraction to danger, who raised baby deer in his tent and stopped a charging boar with his outstretched palm. Every one of these stories are true. And every one is wonderful.

A man among men, Jim Corbett is a type of man I never knew existed, few and far between. These stories, humbly begun for fundraising because he did not think them at all extraordinary, are beyond extraordinary. He recommends reading My India and Jungle Lore before all the hunting stories so that the reader will understand his life and how he came to learn the call of every bird in the jungle. These are not hunting stories as you would imagine them to be. He is among the first environmentalist, conservationist wildlife preservers long before our era and should be read for that alone. He did not preserve tigers and leopards from a safe suburban distance, but while walking the jungles barefoot and sleeping within yards of them every night of his life. He had strict rules about hunting and only went where maneaters were terrorizing villages. His respect for the people of India is beautiful. Born and raised in the Indian jungle he is unpretentious even in his amazing skill and command of his senses. This should be a mandatory read for everyone who can read English.

Although this book is not directly related to hunting, it shows Jim Corbett’s great empathy and respect for the hill folk who were his neighbours and includes touching stories about his relationships with them.

Inimitable Corbett tells of his formative years in Jungle Lore, his experiences and views about rural (North) Indian life in anecdotal My India and stories of his later days in Africa in Tree Tops.Jungle Lore is a captivating series of glimpses of life and language of the Indian jungle(forest) through the eyes of curious boy who is enchanted by it and grows up to know and feel deeply about it. It's a unique combination of adventure stories for through the eyes of a young boy and a stories of the forest through the keen eyes of an immensely experienced hunter.My India is a story on people in rural North India seen through the eyes of a compassionate Englishman (in the colonial period) who lived among them and shared their joys and griefs. It's a fascinating insight into the lifestyle and psychology of common people in Indian villages. It's also a story of a human bond transcending race and religion and culture.Tree Tops is a short book on his experiences in his later life when he moved to Africa. It famously includes the story of Elizabeth 2 succeeding her father while visiting the Tree Tops hotel "a young girl climbed into a tree one day a Princess and ... she climbed down from the tree next day a Queen" (by the way, she is still the queen to this day ... can you imagine!).

Excellent. Corbett was a very good man.

The last time I read a Corbett book was over 45 years ago when a teenager. I got Jungle Lore and found his style of writing so readable, all of Corbett's books are now in our library. He lived a remarkable life but his understanding and empathy with his fellow man is one of the most appealing aspects of his tales. He write with a true and obvious love of India, its people and its wildlife. I used to head his stories about hunting the man eaters for his skill as a hunter chasing elusive prey. Now I thrill at his descriptions of the hardships of his fellow men and their endurance in the face of tough conditions. Would recommend these books highly to any one who enjoys reading about man's triumphs and tribulations. If you are feeling sorry at your own lot, what some Indians achieved may inspire you. Corbett captures the era so well.

Jim Corbett is one of my favourite author. He has mesmerizing skill of writing. Readers will find the characters and scene live in front of their eyes. Jim Corbett stories are real life stories and are really good for all ages 10 & above. I am extremely happy with the seller. They have delivered the book right on time as promised and in excellent condition, and the delivery was free.

JIM CORBET in his own unique words explains INDIA prior to WW2His work as hunter of the most ferocious MANEATERS ON RECORD is legendaryREAD HIS BOOKS