Name: Concerning Animals and Other Matters by Edward Hamilton Aitken
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Rating: 4.5 (2 reviews)
Author: Aitken, Edward Hamilton, 1851-1909

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Concerning Animals and Other Matters by Edward Hamilton Aitken

(2 User reviews) 477

By Mason Ward Posted on Mar 30, 2026

In Category - City Life

Authors: Aitken, Edward Hamilton, 1851-1909 Published By : Aitken, Edward Hamilton, 1851-1909

Book Language: English

You know how sometimes you just want to escape into a world that's completely different? That's what this book is. It's not a story about one person; it's a whole collection of stories about the real, wild characters of colonial India. And by characters, I mean the animals. We're talking about monkeys who run criminal rackets, snakes that seem to have a personal grudge, and birds with more personality than most people. The author, EHA, was a customs officer who spent his spare time watching this chaotic, hilarious, and sometimes brutal natural world unfold right outside his bungalow. The main conflict here isn't man vs. beast—it's the daily, absurd struggle for life in a place where nothing is tame. It's about the mongoose who wages a one-animal war on the local cobra population, and the pariah dog who is a master of survival. If you've ever wondered what it would be like to have a front-row seat to nature's most bizarre and dramatic soap opera, this is your ticket. It's funny, sharp, and will make you see the animal world in a whole new light.

File: Concerning Animals and Other Matters by Edward Hamilton Aitken

First published in 1904, Concerning Animals and Other Matters isn't a novel with a single plot. Instead, it's a series of sketches and essays born from Edward Hamilton Aitken's (who wrote under the pen name EHA) decades living and working in India. The book is his personal, deeply observant diary of the natural world that surrounded him, treating the creatures of the subcontinent not as specimens, but as neighbors—often noisy, troublesome, and fascinating neighbors.

The Story

Think of each chapter as a short, vivid documentary. Aitken introduces us to the cast of his daily life. There's the common crow, analyzed as a brilliant, amoral opportunist. He details the epic, never-ending battles between mongooses and snakes right in his garden. He observes the complex social hierarchies of buffalo, the mournful cries of jackals at night, and the sheer audacity of the Indian house sparrow. He doesn't just describe them; he gives them motives, personalities, and roles in the great comedy of life. Alongside the animals, he offers witty asides on the human residents and the quirks of colonial life, making the book a snapshot of a time and place seen through the eyes of a wonderfully curious man.

Why You Should Read It

What makes this book special is Aitken's voice. He's not a distant scientist; he's a guy on his veranda, mug of tea in hand, telling you about the incredible thing he just saw. His humor is dry and clever. He can make the hunt of a garden lizard read like a high-stakes thriller, and then turn around and paint a scene of real pathos. You get a sense of his deep affection for India's wildlife, even (or especially) the parts that are inconvenient. He respects their cunning and their struggle. Reading it feels like having a long, meandering conversation with a very smart, very funny friend who happens to know everything about the dramas happening in the shrubbery.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for anyone who loves nature writing with personality. If you enjoy the observational charm of Gerald Durrell or the witty essays of James Herriot, but set under the Indian sun, you'll feel right at home. It's also a great pick for history readers who want a grounded, non-political look at colonial-era India from an unusual angle. Just be ready to look at the squirrels in your own backyard with a lot more suspicion and respect.