Seventy Years Among Savages

Seventy Years Among Savages is Henry Stephens Salt's 1921 autobiography chronicling his life among what he terms the "savages" - his fellow British citizens whose practices and behaviors he finds barbaric. The title serves as ironic commentary on Victorian society rather than a colonial narrative. The book follows Salt's journey from his early years at Eton through his transformation into a social reformer, ethical vegetarian, and animal rights advocate. His observations span British institutional life, social customs, recreational pursuits, and dietary habits during the late Victorian and Edwardian periods. Salt details his encounters with notable figures of the era including George Bernard Shaw and Mahatma Gandhi while documenting his campaigns for humanitarian causes. The narrative covers his founding of the Humanitarian League and his efforts to abolish blood sports, cruel animal practices, and corporal punishment in schools. The work stands as both cultural critique and reformer's manifesto, using sardonic humor to expose what Salt viewed as the contradictions between Britain's claims of civilization and its treatment of humans and animals. His commentary on institutional cruelty and social hypocrisy remains relevant to modern ethical debates.

Reviews are limited for this book, with only 7 ratings on Goodreads and no reviews on Amazon. Readers note the satirical tone Salt uses to critique British society by comparing it to what was then considered "savage" behavior. Readers appreciated: - Salt's wit and clever role-reversal comparing Victorian England to tribal societies - His early advocacy for animal rights and vegetarianism - Historical insights into early social activism movements - Personal anecdotes about interactions with George Bernard Shaw and other reformers Common criticisms: - Language and attitudes reflect colonial-era prejudices - Some passages feel repetitive - Writing style can be dense and formal Ratings: Goodreads: 4.14/5 (7 ratings) No other major review sites have ratings or reviews for this book. One reader on LibraryThing called it "an amusing and enlightening autobiography that turns conventional Victorian wisdom on its head through its satirical lens."

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🌟 Henry Salt wrote this memoir in 1921 as a satirical critique of British society, presenting his fellow Englishmen as the true "savages" rather than the indigenous peoples typically labeled as such. 🍃 The author was a pioneering animal rights advocate who influenced Mahatma Gandhi's views on vegetarianism during Gandhi's time in London. 📚 Salt founded the Humanitarian League in 1891, which campaigned against blood sports, corporal punishment, and poor prison conditions—many of these experiences are detailed in the book. 🎨 The title deliberately plays on Victorian-era travel narratives about "primitive" societies, using irony to highlight the barbaric aspects of Western civilization. 💫 While working as a master at Eton College, Salt's radical views and lifestyle choices (including vegetarianism and socialism) scandalized his colleagues, leading him to resign—an episode he describes with sharp wit in the memoir.