This book, The Elephant Whisperer, kept me on the edge of my seat the entire two days it took me to finish it.
Considering that I was reading it on my cell phone the whole time because my Kindle needs to be emptied before I can load any more books, it’s amazing that I even stuck it out. Out of forty-two chapters, there wasn’t a single dud. I read it because I was intrigued when someone wrote that when Lawrence Anthony died, the elephants mourned.
We all have problems and obstacles when we follow our dreams, but this man had more than most. He bought a 5,000-acre game reserve in Zululand, South Africa called Thula Thula. He had the ability to get, not only wild elephants to listen to him, but also local police, local political leaders including tribal leaders from warring tribes. He conquered poaching problems, floods, and built a thriving lodge in the midst of this reserve full of all kinds of wild animals, the largest being the elephants.
These desperate, wild elephants uprooted trees weighing several tons and crashed through electric fencing to escape the reserve and run free in towns and countryside where EVERYONE from poachers to police wanted to shoot them. The logistics of capturing, transporting and keeping animals of this strength and determination were mind-boggling. His story of training and taming them without domesticating them kept me transfixed and absorbed for about two days.
One of the major characteristics that comes out about Lawrence Anthony besides his ability to work hard in horrible circumstances, is his humility. He credited everyone for the wonderful ways they contributed to his project, and in so doing inspired immense loyalty. Possibly just as amazing was his companion, Franςoise. She combatted snakes, and nursed a dying 280 pound baby elephant in her spare bedroom – well the run of the house, actually. She ran the lodge, made and served gourmet French cuisine, and finally after living with the man who didn’t mind having elephant slobber all over his body for 15 years planned and executed their surprise wedding.
Elephants and the Common Core
Remembering that the Common Core is all about non-fiction, and integrating science, social studies, and technology, this book will do it all – especially if students are reading it on their iPhones as I was. In spite of its length this is an engaging read for upper elementary students and above. It is also a great one to engage male readers, who statistically respond both to animals and adventure.
Anthony’s story of survival, love, adventure, drama, and caring for both animals, the environment and culture of the people will inspire and challenge everyone to meet their own challenges with courage and innovation.
Featured Blog
The perfect blog to feature today is one of another adventurer, Amy at shareandconnect. I have heaped awards on Amy’s shoulders, and I have enjoyed her company, her uplifting comments on my blog for many months, but tonight I spent time just thumbing through her blog, reading the back pages, and the more I read, the more I liked. This wonder woman has been everywhere. If it has a trail, she climbed it. If it’s beautiful, she’s photographed it.
Here’s a peek. You are going to want to set aside some time and just go browse in her museum of photos.
You can thank me later because you’ll be richer for it! Enjoy Share and Connect, you’ll be glad you connected. 🙂 Marsha
Marsha Ingrao - Always Write 
47 responses to “Book Review: The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony”
Reblogged this review on A Thousand Finds, here: https://klallendoerfer.wordpress.com/2017/01/07/book-review-the-elephant-whisperer-by-lawrence-anthony/
I love elephants!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the reblog! I love how amazing they are!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on A Thousand Finds and commented:
I met blogger Marsha Ingrao on the NaNoWriMo blog hop in December. We were excited to find out that we both were educators and both reviewed books.
For my weekend book review, I’m sharing her review of The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony, here. As she says, this book will interest a wide variety of readers and integrate science and social studies if you are looking to use it in the classroom. And you really can’t go wrong with elephants! I’m looking forward to reading it myself.
Check out the rest of her Travel and History blog here at: https://tchistorygal.net/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the nice introduction. It’s wonderful to meet someone that shares the same interests.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great Review, I am going to add this to my Goodreads list. Thanks.
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
You filled your Kindle!!! How on earth did you manage that?
LikeLike
I don’t know. I didn’t know you could fill it. Amazon is telling me to delete books before I can load in more books!!!
LikeLike
You must be reading too much!
LikeLike
Maybe…. Should I stop???? 🙂
LikeLike
Nope! :))
Even if you delete them off your kindle they will still be in your Amazon archive. And if you have Kindle for PC you can download them to that as well.
LikeLike
Yeah!!! 🙂 Thanks!!! 🙂
LikeLike
What an amazing man! I must read that book 😉
LikeLike
It’s inspiring!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I grew up with an elephant, a dear great auntie to me (my oldest human friend, who doesn’t understand my love of Nature programmes, deeming them “depressing” {WHAT?!!} would acridly remind me that babs is not related to elephants no matter how much she deludes herself…this friend spanning back nearly a score is not always saccharine or excessively kindly to this old elephant-lass…), right, well, my great aunt’s name was Echo. When she died in 2010, I grieved her deeply…I’d known her since I was two. Here is a wee video of her.
So…I suspect I will be mad for this book. I am very inspired just reading your delightful review. What a most intriguing and inspiring man…Elephant slobber would be just my thing, too.
P.S. Your reading the entire saga via phone-land is astounding to this old hag! That dratted old friend of mine would be reminding me now to “get with the times, babs, you old tweed sack! You and your decrepit ways…” Well…she would not say tweed sack. That is a babs translation. Anyhow, I am very impressed. Gravyo.
I will be seeking out this book (been planning on it since I first noticed its title in another post, but after reading this review, I am MOST keen now). Wonderful article, well done!! And YUS students should definitely read this. I may have to swipe a copy to send to my niece. Perfect. Cheers lass,
Autumn Jade
LikeLike
I did think of you when I read about his often slobbery countenance. The story of Ebony is very touching. Who knew??? Elephants are very amazing. I haven’t been well informed about elephants until the recent past, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and he has written several. I’m sure you would devour them all, my friend. 🙂
LikeLike
I gotta read that!
LikeLike
Hey Rumpy!! Wanna party?
LikeLike
with the elephants? that’d be so cool!
LikeLike
Sure, why not. Invite all your friends. We can do anything virtually. Just look at the party we had for Renee. It was huge – over 500 came, and latecomers still dribble in. We can have lions and rabbits having a little chat together. And Rumpy, you and your elephant friends can be smoking a peace pipe with Micky Mouse. 🙂
LikeLike
The book sounds wonderful. I am particularly fond of elephants! Love Amy’s blog too.
LikeLike
Thanks for agreeing with me!!! I had such fun examining her site last night. It’s awesome!!! Thanks for stopping by SueAnn. 😀
LikeLike
That’s an incredible story!
Teh world needs more people like him, with tehir stories told more widely.
LikeLike
I know!!! I didn’t realize he was so young when he died. How sad. So Guap, the world is us. What are WE going to do to make it better???? Especially when I am so selfish!!! And such a chicken!!! That puts a huge burden on you. What are some of your dreams?
LikeLike
All I can do is try to lead a life I think is good. I have no interest (generally) in trying to convince other people of anything.
But there are a few adventures I’d love to pull off. I just have to figure out how… 😉
LikeLike
So no saving wild elephants?
LikeLike
In NYC? Where on earth would I put them?!? 😉
LikeLike
You’d have to move to South Africa, I’m afraid, Guapo. So I’m just teasing you. Sorry!!!
LikeLike
😀
LikeLike
It seems like a fascinating story… Congratulations Marsha for reading it on your phone 😀
LikeLike
I had no choice! I don’t know why the book didn’t load on my ipad. I’m not super pleased with my ipad because I didn’t get the kind with built in connections that you have to pay $25 a month for. I’m sorry now that I didn’t, and now they have a smaller, lighter version much like a kindle, and I wish I had gotten that!!!! Gripe, gripe, gripe!!! And you just come over to be nice!!! What is wrong with me, venting and ranting around like this???? I’m better now!!! Thanks for listening, Paula!!!! 🙂
LikeLike
Vent away Marsha, don’t worry …. 😉 Elephants are my favourite wild animals 🙂 It does not surprise me that they are able of mourning after a human 😉
LikeLike
Wow, how do you know elephants so well. I read Water for Elephants. Did you read that one or see the movie?? Awesome!!! There’s another book that really has nothing to do with elephants except in the title, but you’d love it. Entertaining an Elephant. I had to cry when I read that one. 🙂
LikeLike
I have to admit I did not read a single book about elephants 😉 and I majored in literature :D, but to my defence I own quite a few plush elephants 😉
LikeLike
hahaha you are SO funny!!! Well they are less difficult to feed and water. You really should at least rent the movie. You would love it! Get Kleenexes!!!
LikeLike
The Elephant Wishperer movie? I’ll see to it 🙂 Thanks
LikeLike
🙂 last word, sorry!!!
LikeLike
I have been looking for a movie .. there is nothing by this title :S
LikeLike
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6b2XhXkPpg Try that.
LikeLike
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
You’re welcome
LikeLike
It sounds like a great book. If I could getan audio version, I think I would enjoy it! I sit long enough to read so I listen. Then I can do 2 things at once. I just need to go on more long trips or clean out more drawers.
I really hope Common Core does get us back to real education no just memorizing “stuff” for a test. We need more Social Studies people like you to get the State Dept of Ed back on track! Coming from Voc Ed – Which is almost dead in Calif.- We need to get back to teaching students how to think! Thanks for all your efforts.
LikeLike
Yes. Encourage all your teacher friends to join California Council for the Social Studies. The $60 a year fee goes to support an advocate in legislature, and we have managed to get some legislation passed. It also covers a scholarly journal, a newsletter, discounts on a conference, opportunities to serve in a state and local capacity, and local membership in San Joaquin Valley Council for the Social Studies (SJVCSS) which has lots of things going on. Maybe I should do an article about that for the Foothills Magazine. We have a conference coming up in March. I’ve written an article for History Day and Tulare County Historical Society’s involvement. I should be sending that in later today. I’m so excited about all these connections we can make for each other, Sally!!!
LikeLike
I love you blog. I admire the way you post your thoughts and value your insights. I’m absolutely flattered and honored to be on your featured blog, especially on the post with this great book review. I’m going to download it in a few minutes. Thank you, Marsha!
LikeLike
Great! You are more than deserving!
LikeLike
Great review, will check out this book. thanks.
LikeLike
You won’t put it down until you finish!!! How are you doing Lisa? I want to get over and visit more sites, but I do it mostly at night when the internet service is unlimited. I stayed up to 3:15 last night, but finally was ready to conk out as your message came in. YOU were up early!!!!!!! 🙂
LikeLike