No Picnic on Mount Kenya

Charming little WWII prison escape story about an Italian in a British POW camp in Kenya. The author escapes for 17 days in order to climb Mt Kenya which he can see from his barracks window tempting him. Like Robinson Crusoe he builds mountaineering gear, ice-axes and crampons, from scraps found around the prison, then escapes with two mates and heads for the hills. The writing is funny with a literary bent, while the story is effective since the idea of escaping from "prison" to climb a mountain would strike a chord with many later readers seeking the freedom of the outdoors.

No Picnic on Mount Kenya is a tale of a bizarre and thrilling adventure, a story that quickly grips the reader with a unique combination of daring and suspense. In 1943, Felice Benuzzi and two Italian compatriots escaped from a British POW camp in equatorial East Africa with only one goal in mind--to climb the dangerous seventeen-thousand-foot Mount Kenya. Their story is one of bravery and mountaineering that is enthralling. The sheer poetry of the story makes it vivid for the reader and that is what one remembers long after putting the book down. But beyond the poetry is the spirit of adventure which transcends the page and inspires the reader. For all who would dream of adventure this is one book that comes close to fulfilling that dream.

No Picnic on Mount Kenya is a cross between a travelogue and The Great Escape. Three Italians escape from a British POW camp in East Africa in order to climb Mount Kenya. Their plan is to escape, climb the mountain, and sneak back into camp. Neither the escape nor the climb is as easy as imagined but the strength of human spirit and the boredom and ennui of war camp are brightly displayed.

A great mountaineering book which demonstrates the irresistable call. Benucci was in a British prisoner of war camp during WW2 with a view of the mountain and concocted an escape just to climb the mountain. A great adventure book. The British edition is best because it has a color reproduction of the tin can label from a meat/vegetable ration showing the mountain which Benucci used to plot his ascent. I had the American edition, but it is still on loan - I recall it not having the label, at least not in color.

Wonderful story of three Italian prisoners who break out of camp and attempt to climb Mt Kenya. Why this book is not more widely known absolutely beats me.

An interesting story, well told and well illustrated.

Kenya Mountaineering