Whatever You Do, Don't Run

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)

Drivers May Laugh Too Hard to Drive!

Where does Whatever You Do, Don't Run rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I've listened to hundreds! This ranks as about an 8.5.

What other book might you compare Whatever You Do, Don't Run to and why?

I don't read non-fiction, but I'd rename this: Adventures of Han Solo on Safari

Which character – as performed by Antony Ferguson – was your favorite?

Peter Alison...I'd love to have him as a guide. He's funny!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The birth of the baby elephant actually brought tears to my eyes. He did such a good job describing the incredible beauty of that moment

Any additional comments?

I'm not a non-fiction reader, but this book kept me hooked. I played it in my car wherever I went, and I'd find myself sitting in parking lots just so I could hear what happened when Peter got charged by a lioness! This is a great listen for driving around doing errands. It's a series of short, self-contained tales, the verbal equivalent of a safari through Peter Alison's life as a guide. Very well done!

14 of 14 people found this review helpful

Glorious, funny

If you could sum up Whatever You Do, Don't Run in three words, what would they be?

Hilarious poignant engaging

What was one of the most memorable moments of Whatever You Do, Don't Run?

One of the most memorable moments of the book is when Peter forgets a cardinal rule: don't drive into water without first checking how deep it is. Forced to abandon his clients perched on the only part of the jeep not immersed in the deep channel inhabited by crocodiles to seek help, he ran back to camp, running into a herd of water buffalo, one of Africa's most dangerous animals, on the way. Peter returns to the scene with his unhappy boss, who wraps him in the steel tow chain to

Have you listened to any of Antony Ferguson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my first time listening to Antony Ferguson.

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

I laughed so hard it ached!

Any additional comments?

I have lived and worked in Africa, and have enjoyed several safaris. Those who have never had the experience find it hard to believe that you can pass within feet of a huge bull elephant without seeing him in the bush, but Peter brings this home with poignancy and high good humour. He is my kind of wildlife guide.

Anyone who loves nature and wildlife will enjoy this delectable account of life as a young wildlife guide in Botswana.

11 of 11 people found this review helpful

I loved the book and the audio is great too!

What made the experience of listening to Whatever You Do, Don't Run the most enjoyable?

This was a most enjoyable and engaging story. How this gentleman survived and thrived in Africa is told from in a humorous first person narrative that kept me engaged and laughing out loud. He brings Africa to life and tells some amazingly tall tales that made me want to run to the airport and fly there to see it all for myself.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Whatever you do, don't run is the title, but also perfect for this story.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

A Worthy Read

Where does Whatever You Do, Don't Run rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is the best I've rented to date.

What did you like best about this story?

I love true adventure and this was the genre at its best--excitement and humor with some touching moments thrown in. You can't beat it.

What about Antony Ferguson’s performance did you like?

The reader was excellent and had a charming Aussie accent.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

In one vignette the author relates an experience where he chanced getting closer to an elephant herd than he should have. Later he relates watching the birth in the wild of an elephant out of this same herd. These interactions were exciting and moving.

Any additional comments?

Well done and bravo.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

A lot of vicarious fun

Try it. You'll like it. A whole lot of vicarious thrills. If you love the bush and animals, you will enjoy this book. There is no way I will ever get to even visit Africa let alone go on a safari. Still, if you ever thought you might want to see animals in the wild, or even be one of the lucky ones and lead a trip of tourists, you will enjoy this book. I learned about wild animals, relived Peter's adventures, and was safely entertained. You can't ask for much more than that!

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

I am inspired to go on safari

The author was just an average guy with a love for animals that moved from Australia to Africa for a backpacking trip and ended up staying for seven years.The stories of his encounters with lions,elephants,leopards,and birds were captivating.He spoke in a very relaxed cadence,which made it easy to follow.The stories about Rolls Royce the funny guide from Botswana,as well as the stories about the drowning and the vehicle breakdown on the way to South Africa were equally fascinating. The story about the lazy worker who discovered a snake that was longer than at first thought was another great story.You could at times feel the author's fear,stupidity and wonder.You could feel his pain,elation and basically take a very educational armchair safari.This has to be one of the best audiobooks I have heard recently.It was entertaining and educational.My only regret was it was too short.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

short good home spun stories

Would you listen to Whatever You Do, Don't Run again? Why?

yes - interesting enough

Any additional comments?

at times it nice to have a series of short stories that are interesting and sometimes humorous. when the long epic fantasies and other novels start to bog you down this is a great book to turn to. I enjoy reading about wildlife and animals.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Great Stories

This is more a collection of "happenings" in the liffe of a safari guide. And they are great. Each are told very well - not too many details, not too long, not too fantastic to make me think he was telling a yarn. I love that he includes his stupid mistakes and was honest about his own limitations. I couldn't put it down and was sorry when I finished. I will listen to this book again soon.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Disappointing

I thought there would be more entertaining stories about his safaris. More of an acolade to self.

9 of 10 people found this review helpful

Interesting and fun

Great stories about life as an African safari guide. Some are as funny as they are hair raising. Good narrator.

18 of 21 people found this review helpful

just lovely. Brilliant narrator

I find often that narrator's spoil a whole book. In this case he is brilliant

Expected More

Was okay, nothing that I looked forward to returning to. No absolutely mind-blowing incidents or stories, just day to day stories about being a Safari Guide

Great book to listen to after safari

I went on safari in South Africa and enjoyed listening to this afterwards! Great book!

I really enjoyed it and was disappointed it ended.

The stories we're funny and informative. would highly recommend this book to anyone thinking of going on safari.

Great animal tales

A very good insight into the African bush safari business as well the animals who are the real stars of these stories which are informative, amusing and sometimes very scary. Charging elephants, huge pythons and everything between including human foolishness. Its nice to know we are all only human.

Holiday memories

Great listen after being on my own safari holiday reminding me of all those great experiences.

Some great tales from a safari guide

My first audio book, and I nearly switched off after a few minutes as i thought the delivery was flat ... I was wrong and glad i continued listening. As a novice to audio books i was expecting a full blown performance, but that would have been so wrong. The narrator is just that, rather than being a storyteller (who takes ownership of the story and may become irritating with their acting performance). This brought back happy memories of our own time in RSA on safari a decade ago.

a straightforward recounting of tales in Africa

these are some great stories, competently told. good narration. no amazing lyrical writing, but enjoyable nonetheless.

Captivating - well read and retold

What did you like best about this story?

An honest insights into the joys and challenges of being a safari guide, with a good dose of self deprecation, amazing animal experiences and ridiculous tourists

Entertaining

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the narrator's voice, agree the pronunciations was not always spot on but it didn't distract anything. I'm in the safari industry and perhaps this added to my enjoyment. We listened to it in the car on a holiday journey and only here and there where a few swear words and references to sex were used did I wish my 3-year old son wasn't listening so attentively. I highly recommend this as a road trip companion as it keeps you alert behind the wheel but wherever and whenever you listen to it, laughing out loud is guaranteed!