Seventy Years Among Savages

Seventy Years Among Savages is a memoir by British writer and social reformer Henry S. Salt who spent much of his life advocating for animal rights social justice and humanitarian causes. The book is both an autobiographical reflection and a critique of colonialism highlighting Salt's experiences in his travels and his observations on the impact of Western culture on indigenous peoples particularly in Africa and the Pacific. Salt was a prominent figure in the animal rights movement but he was also deeply concerned with the ethical treatment of all human beings including those whom he considered to be victims of colonial exploitation. In the book he reflects on his encounters with various indigenous groups whom he contrasts with the civilized European societies that often oppressed them. His experiences shape his views on the nature of civilization the morality of colonial practices and the importance of respecting and learning from indigenous cultures.