Babylon's Ark

The Incredible Wartime Rescue of the Baghdad Zoo

By: Lawrence Anthony, Graham Spence

Narrated by: Simon Vance

When the Iraq war began, conservationist Lawrence Anthony could think of only one thing: the fate of the Baghdad Zoo, caught in the crossfire at the heart of the city. Once Anthony entered Iraq, he discovered that hostilities and uncontrolled looting had devastated the zoo and its animals. Working with members of the zoo staff and a few compassionate U.S. soldiers, Anthony defended the zoo, bartered for food on war-torn streets, and scoured bombed palaces for desperately needed supplies.

Babylon's Ark chronicles Anthony's hair-raising efforts to save a pride of Saddam's lions, close a deplorable black-market zoo, run ostriches through shoot-to-kill checkpoints, and rescue the dictator's personal herd of Thoroughbred Arabian horses.

©2007 Lawrence Anthony and Graham Spence (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A wartime story with a joyful ending." ( Kirkus)

Interesting Read

I was concerned the storyline would overlap in the three books written by Lawrence Anthony but they really don’t. Each story is its own story. I found all of them interesting. I would suggest reading in the following order:
The Elephant Whisperer
Babylon’s Ark
The Last Rhino

very entertaining and heart felt

I usually listen to romance novels but I love elephants and wanted something different so I start off with the Elephant whisper and have listen several of Lawrence Anthony's audio books. The story are entertaining and heart felt the narrative is above par.

MUST READ

Don't miss this amazing book! I couldn't put it down and learned so much. Very well written.

An amazing eye opening resue of The Bagdad Zoo

Thought provok8ng, humanitarian and honest accounts of how one person, with the best and most honorable intentions, can change an entire city by the resue and restoration of a zoo and irs beloved creatures. Get this book.

INSPIRATIONAL!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Definately recommend this book.This is a story that reminds us that one person really can make a difference. After listening to it, my kids also read it and they were inspired. It is written from the heart, easy to listen to and a feel good story. Inspiring to know there are people out there that are willing to go the extra mile for animals who cannot help themselves, just out of the goodness of their hearts and because they are passionate about something.

Have you listened to any of Simon Vance’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Simon Vance speaks with emotion and sincerity as though it was his experience. Very easy to listen to him.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There are some sad moments but I was moved many times in that book by the spirit of a passionate man, Lawrence Anthony, that is regretfully no longer with us but was an exceptional human being

Any additional comments?

Highly recommend this book.