The Day I Died. True Tales of my Deadly Encounters with Dangerous Snakes, Animals and People

This book records the first-hand experiences of a South African who from an early age was fascinated, and often confronted, by wild animals. These included lions and even grizzly bears. More than any other predators, however, dangerous snakes took centre stage. Mambas, cobras and pythons, to name a few. The author was bitten numerous times, lapsed into a coma, was declared dead, attacked by a shark in a swimming pool and forced to wrestle with a crocodile. He emerges as a dignified, compassionate and wryly self-aware individual who has discovered peace and humility.

This collection of tales, Frederick Sterzel’s first publication, is sure to prove very popular. He has owned and operated snake and reptile parks and zoos after game-capturing and other wildlife occupations in his youth. Even in his period of military service he had most unusual, even hilarious, experiences.