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The Elephant Whisperer Review
African Bush Elephant
Lawrence Anthony Page -Conservationist
The Elephant Whisperer, written by Lawrence Anthony Page, is one of the most interesting and intriguing books I have read about elephants and any natural game preserve. In Zululand, South Africa, Lawrence Anthony manages a game preserve called Thula Thula. He is a conservationist with great respect and knowledge of African wildlife, particularly the elephants. This story occurs after apartheid and many tribes owned land in this region. Although Lawrence Anthony is a white man, he has a very good relationship with the heads of most tribes and works with them through many crises that occur throughout this exciting story.
Lawrence had formerly been a business man before turning into a conservationist. He has a lovely French wife that ultimately maintains a lodge for visitors to for South Africa tours. There are several other interesting characters that help him maintain this huge preserve with a large variety of wild animals.
Google Map of Zuzuland, South Africa
Elephant Whisperer
When South African conservationist Lawrence Anthony was asked to accept a herd of "rogue" wild elephants on his Thula Thula game reserve in Zululand, his common sense told him to refuse. But he was the herd's last chance of survival: they would be killed if he wouldn't take them.
Thula Thula Gets Elephants
One day he is offered a herd of seven rogue elephants, which he accepts. The leader and one baby elephant had already been shot. All of the elephants would have been shot if he had not accepted them. Rogue elephants are extremely dangerous and much of this book recounts how they kept the elephants contained in a specific area while he worked with them. He and his crew built a large, strong enclosure that was surrounded by high voltage electrical wire to keep the elephants contained.
As time went on he realized he would have to find a way to communicate with the elephants if they were ever going to be able to roam freely in a larger area. He spent days and nights working with this group of elephants, continually making slow progress. Some of the antics of the elephants in this story are fascinating, and the information about the way they live and communicate is so interesting. Elephants communicate with each other in many ways, one of which is a rumbling in their stomachs. They respect their own ancestors and nurture their elephant babies.
Amazing Adventures
Lawrence survives and triumphs over many crisis throughout this story. The cattlemen use devious measures to try to get this land for their own. There are poachers who try to kill elephants for their ivory, fire and wild lions to deal with; this roller coaster story keeps you intrigued from the beginning to the end. I had a hard time setting this book down until I was finished
As for the elephants, they actually forgave humans for their cruelty, which occurred in their lives before reaching ThulaThula. Many other animals are discussed throughout the book as well.
Elephant Herd
Tropical Trails Safari to Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara National Parks
In Conclusion
The video shows the numerous animals you might see on a tour in Africa. Many of these animals are discussed in the book.
Near the end of the book Lawrence states what he has learned, which is quite lengthy. I particularly like the following quote. “Perhaps the most important lesson I learned is that there are no walls between humans and the elephants except those we put up ourselves, and that until we allow not only elephants, but all living creatures their place in the sun, we can never by whole ourselves.” This remarkable man saved creatures that were near extinction, and this true story is one that makes you really assess your views and values about all creatures in this world.
Did you enjoy the review of this book?
© 2012 Pamela Oglesby
Comments
I'm looking for the stars so I can vote....??? Anyway, what a fascinating man and story; I may have to pick this one up. Thank you Pamela; you have made me interested enough to look for this book. Well done!
Hi Pam. Sounds like my kind of book. Elephants are amazing creatures. I cringe when I hear of the poaching that goes on in Africa. Thanks for the review.
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Billy, I think you will love the book. I was out of town over the past few days, so I had a chance to do more reading than usual. Thanks for your comments.
bdgiulio, I love elephants also, which made this book really interesting. Thanks so much for your comments.
I loved your hub and the great video. Elephants are my favorite and I have a collection of elephants in my curio cabinet.
Voted up and awesome, Joyce.
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writer20, My sister collect elephants also. I'[m glad you enjoyed the hub and I appreciate your comments.
This book sounds very good. I think elephants are so interesting and the book sounds exciting. Voted up and awesome.
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Roberta, Thank you for the lovely comments.
This is a fascinating review, Pamela, of what appears to be an equally fascinating book which I plan to order online. Thanks for the heads-up.
Outstanding review and all around great hub. Thank you
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drbj, I think you will enjoy the book and thanks for your comments.
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Mhatter, Thanks so much for your comments.
I must read this book and purchase a copy to go along with my other materals on elephants. Thanks for the review to alert us to this author. Rated Up and many more.
Great review of a review.
TFP
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Patty, You will definitely enjoy the book and thank you for your comments.
Jim, Thanks so much for your comments.
Hi Pamela, great interesting story and book review ! Will have to read this one for sure ! Well done !
Vote up and more !!!
Encouraging moral, thanks Pam for enlightening me with a beautiful book.
Voted up indeed as 5 stars!
Very informative hub. I love elephant and I found something great about this animal. I also enjoy all the pictures and the video as well. Good presentation and very well written. Voted up and God bless you :-)
Prasetio
Your review of this book was really interesting.. Elephants have always been an interest to me, their loyalty to each other is amazing. Why would anyone want to kill them for their ivory, sad thinking about it. Thank you for sharing..
Great review! I think elephants are fascinating, social creatures and it breaks my hear that they mourn their dead. I will definitely add the Elephant Whisperer to my list of books to read. Best, Steph
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kashmir, Thank you so much for your comments.
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Ruchira, I appreciate your comments and the vote.
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prasetio, I really liked watching the video also. Thanks so much for your comments. God bless you also.
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Ruby, I agree with you completely. I think elephants are awesome. Thank you so much for your comments.
Steph, Yes, they are fascinating. I appreciate your comments.
What a terrific review. It is now in my reading list and I thank you.
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I hope you now have electricity so you will be able to read and ear warm food! Thanks for your comments.
Pamela, is this now a movie? I think the books would be very interesting to read. I saw a documentary that stated elephants are very intelligent creatures, it seems to be what you have shared here as well. Great read and so well done.
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Dianna, I haven't heard of it being a movie, but it would not surprise me. It would be excellent. Elephants are very intelligent and seem to have strong emotions also. I appreciate your comments.
Your hub reviewed the book very effectively and the video was a great match. Thank you for this interesting read.
What a great review. You've given us just enough information to realize that this book is not only interesting, but that it's also important of learning how even one conservationist's efforts can make a large difference in the preservation of a species of wild animals.
I particularly loved the profound quote at the end of the review.
Voted up across the board except for funny, given 5 stars and also shared.
Hub Hugs,
Gail
Now of course Peggy I will need to read this. I love the quote at the end of your writings. That is so true...and has such wider application, doesn't it?
As a little side note, I always wanted a pachyderm when I was a little girl. I just thought they were the cutest...still do. But of course I never got one...but it was fun to dream.
thank you for sharing this excellent review...ps
Such an alive and interesting review. I must read this book!
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cam, I am so glad you enjoyed the hub and video. I appreciate your comments.
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Gail, I love your enthusiasm for my review of this book, and I loved that quote out of the book also. This man worked so hard and made such great changes, that it was an inspiring book. I certainly appreciate your comments, votes and the share,
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pstraubie, I certainly agree with regarding the quote and its applications. I have always been fascinated by elephants. It certainly doesn't hurt to dream. Thanks so much for your comments.
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NMLady, I believe you will love this book like I did. Thanks so much for your comments.
This books sounds amazing! You did such a fantastic job with this review. Voted up, useful, and awesome. Good luck with the contest. Kelley
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kellyward, It is an excellent book. I appreciate your comments. Good luck to you also.
Other than the book, "Water for Elephants," I've yet to read another book about elephants. It seems like they're very forgiving creatures, like you pointed out. Great review and shared.
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Anglnwu, That certainly are interesting. Thanks for your comments and I appreciate the share.
I like all kinds of elephant stories.
They are very fascinating.
Thanks for sharing this
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thumbi, I like them also. I appreciate your comments.
Hi Pamela, Wonderful and Interesting Review of an Exciting Book. I'd certainly be tempted to read it. I am such an Animal Lover, and Elephants are really Special, and so Intelligent, and Forgiving, unlike most people. I also Enjoyed looking at the Video. Thanks for sharing.
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b. Malin, I agree with you on the attributes of elephants! Thanks so much for your comments.
gave it 5 stars because i truly enjoyed reading this review
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I certainly appreciate the 5 stars and I am glad you enjoyed the review. Thanks so much for your comments.
Hi, Pamela
I just have to tell you that I know I have commented on this before. But as a result of this review I knew I had to read it. So I just got my copy last week and could not put it down. It was a m a z i n g. It was especially heartwarming to me as I call my daughter an animal whisperer. They whisper to her and she to them.
And the author shared with us that the elephant's whispered to him especially Nana. I will order some of his other books. Thanks for sharing this..I might have missed it had I had not read about it here. Voted up up and away +++++ and Pinned
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pstraubie, I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as I did. Thanks for your comments.
:) Yes...thanks again.
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pstraubie, You are so welcome.
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