Hans Besser's Raubwild und Dickhäuter in Deutsch-Ostafrika is his personal account of serving as a professional hunter and game warden in what is now Tanzania during the early 20th century. The book is structured around his field experiences, moving from one challenging assignment to the next.

The Story

The narrative follows Besser's missions across the territory. One day he's tracking a man-eating lion terrorizing a village, the next he's investigating elephant poaching rings or dealing with crop-raiding buffalo. But his job goes beyond animal control. A huge part of his duty involves enforcing new hunting laws on local populations and European settlers alike, which puts him in constant, tense situations. The story is less about a single plot and more about the daily grind of trying to manage an ecosystem under colonial administration.

Why You Should Read It

This book is gripping because of its stark honesty. Besser writes plainly about the dangers of the bush, but the more compelling tension comes from his role itself. You see his respect for the animals and sometimes for the local trackers he works with, but also his unwavering commitment to the German colonial system. It doesn't try to be a grand moral tale; it's a boots-on-the-ground report. Reading it today, you get a dual perspective: the thrilling survival stories he intended to tell, and the unsettling historical context that surrounds them.

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers of historical nonfiction who don't mind complicated narratives. If you're interested in the early days of wildlife conservation, colonial history, or just first-hand adventures from a vanished era, this is a compelling primary source. Just be prepared to read it with a critical eye toward its time and place. It's not a feel-good safari story, but it is a genuinely insightful one.