"Leiningen versus the Ants", by Carl Stephenson (1893-1954)

[polaris93]

http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/lvta.html

One of my all-time favorite stories -- and a classic of suspense.

BTW, "Leningen vs. the Ants" is scientifically inaccurate in the extreme and racist as hell, but as story it's superb. It was first published in the

Comments

[jordan179]

A really good story. Read it for the first time decades ago, recently re-read it, and was struck by the strength of the writing. Also, by the fact that Leningen won in the end -- in most modern science fiction, Leningen would have failed and died.

Might reprint it (copyright's long since out on it) but I'm not totally sure that it counts as either science-fiction or horror. There really are army ants, though real army ants aren't that determined or smart.

[polaris93]

A really good story. Read it for the first time decades ago, recently re-read it, and was struck by the strength of the writing. Also, by the fact that Leningen won in the end -- in most modern science fiction, Leningen would have failed and died.

That's why, in spite of its problems with biology and attitudes toward non-whites, I love it. It's a story of courage, determination, and honor fulfilled. There are far too few of them around any more.

Might reprint it (copyright's long since out on it) but I'm not totally sure that it counts as either science-fiction or horror. There really are army ants, though real army ants aren't that determined or smart.Also, real army ants aren't that numerous, and usually don't take down livestock or people (though some African ants do so under certain circumstances): http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2006/08/army-ants/moffett-text As for smart, ants are like bees: it's the colony that you have to

[polaris93]

BTW, as the National Geographic link I gave you points out, colonies of army ants -- there are about 200 species of them -- typically number some 300,000-700,00 ants, not the literal trillions that "Leningen vs. the Ants" gives for the ants besieging Leningen's plantation.

[mauser]

My goodness, I read that story a long time ago as well, I can't remember when, possibly even Jr. High. Parts of it stuck with me, and now I feel compelled to re-read it. The title was not one of those things, so thanks for that.

[polaris93]

You're most welcome. :-D

It certainly is worth re-reading, even today. Most suspense stories I've tried to read in the last few years don't pack anything like the punch this story does. For all its scientific flaws and racist bullshit, "Leningen vs. the Ants" is one of the most powerful stories of suspense and terror I've ever run across.

[wolfbrotherjoe]

Huh ... I don't remember it being terribly racist. I'll have to re-read it, it's been ... gosh... over 15 years.

[polaris93]

The target of the racism, in this case, are Iñios -- South American Indians. And it is expressed through Leningen himself, through what are apparently his thoughts, as described by the author. So the author may or may not be racist, but Leningen sure is. But so what? That was one man, and those were the times, and the racism isn't all that pertinent to the story except as it shows why Leningen assumes the burdens of noblesse oblige," risking his own life to save all his people, including 400 Indians. If I'd been writing it, I'd have made it clear that the racism, however much of it there was in the story, was all Leningen's, described incidents showing that the Indians really didn't fit Leningen's patronizing view of them and were instead as intelligent and courageous as anybody else -- but that, because of his views of the Indians, Leningen still went on to take that horrible risk to save everyone, and was therefore a hero. (No more spoilers. Promise.)

BOOK OF SHORT STORIES' NAME?

[ext_4290335]

Does anybody know the title of an old book of short stories that included Leiningen versus the ants, a 17th-18th century naval battle and white fur traders captured by 18th century Indians that tortured them? There were more stories, but I just can't remember their content. I never finished that book, before it was stolen.
If anyone has an idea, please let me know. Thanks!
Alex
916-410-2679

[ext_4290335]

Anyone know the name of a book with Leiningen vs. the ants, and OTHER short stories? This old book has old naval battles of the Napoleonic era, as well as 18th century fur traders captured by hostile imdians that tortured the captives. There were OTHER stories too, but I can't remember them- my book was stolen before I could read it all.
If you know which book I write of, please let me know. Thanks!
Alex
916-410-2679