Books
Alone to Everest
The story of some of Earl Denman’s mountaineering exploits to Africa, culminating in his journey in 1947 through Tibet to Everest with Tenzing Norgay (later to become one of the first two individuals known to reach the summit of Mount Everest) is here told for the first time.Alone to Everest tells the remarkable story of a remarkable man.
Among many present-day accounts of hardship and adventure, it stands out as the testimony of a man for whom modern civilisation and modern equipment mean little, and who is happiest, as he says, “walking barefoot on warm grass or wet rocks; in probing deep into cool, quiet forests; in days of healthy activity and evenings of restfulness spent beside a warming fire.” Denman’s achievements in the Belgian Congo—where with only local guides as companions he became one of the first men to climb all eight of the high and remove Virunga Mountains—made him realise that he would never rest until he had made a similar expedition to the highest mountain in the world.
At the time £250 was all he had in the world; his equipment was of the simplest and cheapest. His journey by sea and land to Darjeeling was made under great difficulties. His meeting with Karma Paul, who introduced him to Tenzing and his friend Ang Dowa, was entirely fortuitous; he was expressly forbidden to enter Tibet (Nepal at that time was entirely closed to the Western world). Yet with all these handicaps he and the two Sherpas set off alone from Darjeeling, made their way, with many mishaps, through Sikkim and Tibet to the Rongbuk monastery, and thence to Everest itself.
Appalling weather conditions finally drove them back, but not before they had attained a height of 23,500 feet.Everest has now been climbed, and no doubt will be again. But Denman’s feat, though superficially unsuccessful, remains a triumph against fantastic odds.
Animal Africa
To this day one thinks of Africa as wild and rugged, qualities which many find endearing. Endearing they may be, but not enduring. Already there are two Africas, the old and the new. Old Africa, to the author, is Africa as it was in the time of the great explorers, Livingstone, Burton, Speke, Brazza. There is precious little of it remaining.
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In Africa today there are two abiding problems; one, the relations, sadly deteriorating between Whites and Blacks; the other, the attitude of men of all races towards the wild life which gives to Africa its incomparable allure. Much has already been written about the rights and privileges, or lack of these, among the African peoples. But mankind, of whatever race, can fend for itself over the course of time. Not so the wild life. Not only does it lack a voice of its own, but it has pitifully few men and women to plead its cause.
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Animal Africa is an endeavour to present the other side of the picture. The author respects the true naturalist-sportsman, the discriminating hunter. But his own considerable experience of going unarmed among wild animals has taught him that few are dangerous unless goaded beyond endurance. He shows the falsity of the picture painted with so little feeling by the big game hunters. Even today, wherever the chance avails, they exterminate the wild life with ruthless persistence for their own selfish ends.
My Wild Bird Friends
Earl Denman’s six-part radio feature on “My Wild Bird Friends” is a description of his experiences with wild birds whilst living in South Africa in the 1960s. He describes his relationship with the birds, his attempts to communicate with them and them with him. He focusses specifically on the Boubou Shrike, Dikkop, Starling and Buzzard but references over ten other birds he encounters.
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He includes his own thoughts and feelings about wildlife, animal conservation and his dislike of the term “bird watching”. He states he was doing more than just watching them, he was trying to form meaningful relationships and interacting with them.
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His respect, compassion and interest for the wild birds comes across in his writing and it evokes a detailed picture of Earl Denman sitting in his garden relating to the wildlife around him.
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He refers to his “Bird Diary” which we haven’t found. But we have several sketches and article clippings as well as feathers and photographs which support his interest and research. He undoubtedly found making friends with wild birds relaxing and therapeutic against the backdrop of his work and human relationship stress.
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Underlying his stories, is the message that if we make time for understanding, respecting, and observing nature and live alongside the world’s wild animals and birds, we will improve our lives and wellbeing. He says humans misuse the power we have over wildlife and plants and that if we don’t change our ways our “doom is assured”.
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​Earl wrote his preliminary thoughts about this feature and I have included them here. Words that could have been written today (2021) and still hold meaning for all of us.
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The Fiercest Fight
Published in 1985 with the sub-title: " A fully documented account of the struggle against apartheid in South Africa"
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Foreword by Canon Gonville ffrench-Beytagh
formerly - until his banishment from South Africa -
Dean of Johannesburg
It is not really possible for a white man to get under the skin of a black man and to feel in his bones the history of several hundred years of deprivation, indignity, persecution and brutality which the black man in South Africa has experienced. Mr Denman has, I think, come as near to it as possible.
In this book he brings that history up-to-date. He sets out the contemporary facts as they have been recorded in the courts and in the news media in South Africa. I, myself, can vouch for the truth of what he records. He comments on these facts in a series of poems, with a passion that is deeply felt. They stirred up my anger once again at the intolerable injustice of the situation in that country. I hope that they will stir yours also. He then comments on these matters in a series of reflections which I commend to you. I particularly commend his introductory summary of the origins and anatomy of that misshapen monster which we call Apartheid.
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I hope and believe that this book will do a great deal to strengthen the active opposition to Apartheid which needs to be fought on every possible front. It is a book which stands in the tradition of Naught For Your Comfort and Cry The Beloved Country. I am grateful to be asked to write this Foreword and to be associated with the publishing house responsible for bringing out such a superb and noble book.
Gonville ffrench-Beytagh
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The Accident
This wasn't published as a book and Earl didn't give the title "The Accident". Earl wrote this following his bicycle accident in new Zealand. He writes about his time in hospital, the people he met, his thoughts of illness, pain, acceptance and death.
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Read the Introduction
Read the Introduction
Read Earl's preliminary thoughts
Read the prologue
Read the first part
Word Pictures
Earl wrote 51 poems in a collection of 2 parts called "Word Pictures".
It will be published in full on this site soon.
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Read the intorduciton