Whatever You Do, Don't Run

True Tales of a Botswana Safari Guide

By: Peter Allison

Narrated by: Antony Ferguson

Length: 6 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

Whatever You Do, Don't Run is a hilarious collection of true tales from top ­safari guide Peter Allison. In a place where the wrong behavior could get you eaten, Allison has survived face-to-face encounters with big cats, angry ­elephants, and the world's most unpredictable animals: herds of untamed tourists and foolhardy guides whose outrageous antics sometimes make them even more dangerous than a pride of hungry lions!

Join Allison as he faces down charging lions (twice); searches for a drunk, half-naked tourist who happens to be a member of the British royal family; drives a Land Rover full of tourists into a lagoon full of hippos; and adopts the most ­vicious animal in Africa as his "pet". Full of lively humor and a genuine love and respect for Botswana and its rich wildlife, Whatever You Do, Don't Run takes you to where the wild things are and introduces you to a place where every day is a new adventure!

©2007 Peter Allison (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Allison's infectious enthusiasm for both the African bush and his job showing its wonders to tourists is readily apparent, making for a fast and very entertaining read." ( Booklist)

Enthralling book

Learned things about safaris that I never knew and how indispensable good guides are. Wonderful writing.

Humorous behind-the-scene look at safari guiding

This isn't a laugh-out-loud all the way through the book type of humor, but it is a memoir done by a man who has made quite a few questionable decisions around wild animals, yet lived to tell his tales. And, he is humble enough to tell stories where he has been in quite a pickle. He is probably more expert with animals than he leads readers to believe, or one of the luckiest men on the planet. The humor comes from the stories that he tells at his own expense, a quiet, keen and gentle observation of animals and of humanity.

The circle of life that is so obvious to people who live with wild animals was a bit of a shock to me, the births, seasons, and death of animals that come and go through the pages. Some of the animals with names, who had years of interaction with the safari guides, had personalities that are recalled and treasured by Peter Allison and made an impact on me. I am so glad that they are recalled in a book and that I could know them just a little.

For anyone who enjoys animals, even if it just our domesticated dogs and cats, this memoir will be fun reading. For people-watchers, this book is just as fun since the people who came to take part in a safari came from all over the world, and Peter Allison described their traits or quirks with as keen an eye as he described wild animals.

If you are pretty certain that you'll never be able to go on a safari in your lifetime, then reading this book is going to bring you very close to the experience. Without the bug bites, mice, dirt, heat, and snakes and large predators.

And, not being an adrenaline junky, it was interesting to see the way a brave person thinks - both in deciding to do something I would never do, and then seeing how he managed to survive, and then look back on it with self-deprecating humor.

Peter Allison has had a lot of exciting adventures in his life. I'm glad he shared them.

Great

Excellent storytelling! I hope that my adventures can rise to this.level in the future.

Really enjoyable and pretty funny at times

It’s not a serious read, just something to pass the time but extremely enjoyable for a fellow adventure lover!

BELLY LAUGHS GALORE

If you need a laugh, get this !! This is the first review I've ever written and I'm compelled to do it because I can't hold back how much I'm enjoying this. I am very picky and critical of anything mediocre and this is wonderful !! I'm only sad that it is going to end in just a few more chapters !! I want a sequel. The author and narration are fantastic !! THANKS FOR HAVING CREATED THIS !! I'M LOVING IT !!

enjoyed this book immensely.

The book reminded me of some of my encounters with wildlife, most funny, a few very scary.

Enjoyed every minute!

This was not only a really fun and exciting book, I learned a ton as well! Definitely put this in your list.

Pleasantly surprised!

Got this book for free and I was so captivated by the stories. Peter Allison does a great job of telling the stories with wit and personality. I enjoyed this book so much more than I thought.

Loved every minute!

This one goes into my hall of all-time favorites! Funny, charming , well written and lighthearted. Peter Allison conveys his love of the bush and its inhabitants in a way that will delight and entertain you.

Great Story, makes me want to book a safari

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This story was light and entertaining. I truly enjoyed and I want to buy the book as well.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The performance is horrible. If you can forget that the reader pauses at the end of every sentence and speaks in a fake accent, get this anyway.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The story made me laugh and cry. It was wonderful!