In some ways this story reads more like a novel than non-fiction due to its pace, twists and engagement. Following the prologue, the reader is launched into an African storyworld revealing insights, danger and revelation. Lawrence Anthony is a South African conservationist whose dream to acquire and develop an animal preserve in the heart of Zulu land came to fruition in Thula Thula, Africa. Over 5000 acres, it's abundant wildlife included the usual, without elephants or rhinos. Lawrence soon le...

I’ll add thoughts later when I read my paperback. I listened to this from the library and my fantasy narrator, Simon Vance narrated! And yes, I cried!!





Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

Many years ago I read Lawrence Anthony’s outstanding book entitled Babylon’s Ark which told the story of his rescue of the surviving animals of the Baghdad Zoo after America’s “shock and awe” attack. The respect and admiration I felt for this amazing conservationist inspired me to read more of his books. The Elephant Whisperer had been on my TBR list for quite awhile, and I was happy when my book club chose to read it.Lawrence Anthony was born and raised in Africa. He had an immense respect for ...

(4.5) A touching memoir of a South African conservationist Lawrence Anthony and his wildlife game reserve in Zululand. The book focuses on his taking in a herd of "rogue" wild elephants, the adventures that ensued, and the incredible connections Lawrence formed with them as they learned to trust him. More than just feel-good animal rescue story, Lawrence also includes insight on the challenges of running a wildlife reserve and the ever-present danger of poachers. So don't let the "whisperer" tit...

Anthony does a magnificent job of sharing his story of settling a herd of seven wild elephants on his 5,000 acres of bush in Zululand, South Africa. I respect his decision to try to extend the reserve to include the neighboring tribal land so that a greater number of wild animals might live comfortably without interference. The elephants get the credit they deserve for being remarkably intelligent and resilient, despite extremely harsh treatment and bad memories early on. It is a source of great...

I chanced upon a reference to the book “The Elephant Whisperer” by Lawrence Anthony (with Graham Spence) while reading an article on the internet. I found the summary interesting and later got the book. It has been a very fascinating and highly recommended read.The story is about Lawrence Anthony and his experience with a herd of wild elephants. Lawrence owns the Thula Thula game reserve in South Africa. He gets a call one day asking if he is interested in having a herd of wild elephants. These ...

I just had to give this book five stars, though four may fit as well. When I read that, after the author died recently, the herd of elephants he befriended traveled many miles to stand near his body, without there being any means of informing them of his death, I was inspired to read this book he published in 2009. I was hooked by the first chapter and wanted more after the last chapter. There is so much to say about how each chapter had its own adventure, some complete with puzzles, tension and...

“An elephant is faithful 100 percent.”-Dr. Seuss=====Africa, there’s no place like it on earth. The translucent orange and lavender skies. The thrum of life beneath your feet. The fingers of wind that caress. The giraffes, the lions, the leopards, the cheetahs, the hyenas, the wild dogs, the black rhinos and, of course, the magisterial elephants. Our first stop was Cape Town. The drive from the airport takes you past Cape Flats, a remnant of apartheid that displays small, boxed dwellings that st...

If you are interested in animals, nature, true stories of incredible interactions between animals and humans and certain conservation issues that South Africa faces, this is a 10 star read. I read that the author of this book recently passed away and that the elephants he interacted with for many years instinctively traveled a very long way on foot over many, many miles to come and visit him at the place where he passed away.

I'm starting to get bored with the various "whisperers." Especially since most of them don't do any actual whispering to the animals in question.So I wish this book had a different title.That aside, this is a fantastic book about some of nature's most beautiful and amazing animals. (I LOVE elephants!)Lawrence Anthony runs a nature preserve in South Africa called Thula Thula. One day, he gets a call from someone offering him a herd of nine elephants for the preserve. The herd is apparently "rogue...