The Elephant Whisperer

My Life with the Herd in the African Wild

By: Lawrence Anthony, Graham Spence

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 10 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Winner, Biography/Memoir, 2014

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. In order to save their lives, Anthony took them in. In the years that followed he became a part of their family. And as he battled to create a bond with the elephants, he came to realize that they had a great deal to teach him about life, loyalty, and freedom.

The Elephant Whisperer is a heartwarming, exciting, funny, and sometimes sad account of Anthony's experiences with these huge yet sympathetic creatures. Set against the background of life on an African game reserve, with unforgettable characters and exotic wildlife, it is a delightful book that will appeal to animal lovers and adventurous souls everywhere.

©2009, 2012 Lawrence Anthony and Graham Spence (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"An inspiring, multifaceted account, Anthony's book offers fascinating insights into the lives of wild elephants in the broader context of Zulu culture in post-Apartheid South Africa." ( Publishers Weekly)

An Intimate Look at the Lives of Elephants

Loved the book. I kept hoping it would never end. Beautiful story. The narrator spoke in such a caring way. He's wonderful too.

Just wonderful story and reading

What made the experience of listening to The Elephant Whisperer the most enjoyable?

The whole book is just amazing, the animals, the story, the characters and great reading of the book! I just loved it, Africa history is so interesting and I learned so much about elephants.

What did you like best about this story?

It was visual photograph via the ears of Africa and the elephants.

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

No, but I will, he is a master storyteller!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Same as the title.

Magnificent!

Loved the narration & story was very well written!
I would recommend this book for all animal lovers and friends.
Excellent!

Great Story

Not the type of book I usually listen to, but this was a welcome change to my normal. This story is very informative, inspiring and touching. Found myself shedding tears on my walks. Highly recommend this book.

Fantastic book and performance!!

It made me laugh, hold my breath, and brought tears to my eyes. What more could you ask for in a book? Simon Vance is my favorite narrator. I am a fan.

A real gem

Usually I don't get books like this, thinking it's a lecture on how bad we are to the planet with our polluting ways. After reading all of the reviews, I gave it a shot. I'm am so glad that I did. Character development, narration, and story line was excellent. Lawrence Anthony inherits a herd of wild elephants and he develops a relationship with them that borders on being human. There is plenty of drama and the story moves along quickly. After finishing this book, I started looking at National Geographic and Animal Planet channels for any programs on elephants. Lawrence Anthony has written an excellent novel, and I would highly recommend.

Lawrence, RIP. The world will miss you.

Love this

Fantastic to listen to and interesting all the way. I didn't want it to be over. Beautiful book with great compassion and gentleness. A priceless gem

Incredible

One of the best books I've ever read. Very touching and inspirational. Will read again.

NON-HUMANS

Anthropomorphizing non-humans is a slippery slope. The brain is an amazing organ that compels humans to understand things beyond understanding. Whether it is belief in a Supreme Being or belief that wild animals think, human brains create stories of belief based on consciousness; i.e. something beyond instinct and conditioning.

Lawrence Anthony, a conservationist, notes his experience with a herd of wild elephants. This herd of elephants will be killed if he is unwilling to accept them at his conservation area in South Africa. The elephant herd has been found unmanageable by other conservationists. The problem has been the herd will not stay within a confined conservation area. The elephants break through whatever barriers are placed in their way.

Anthony’s effort to preserve Africa’s wild life is exemplary. His methods make sense. He scrambles to create an electrical barrier around his conservation area that will contain the largest land based animal in the world. The herd he is given custody of instinctually resists containment even though it offers a haven from human interference with nature.

Evolution fools us all. Maybe the future will change some member of the animal kingdom to create a “Planet of the Apes” but a “Planet of the Elephants” seems a step too far.

Nevertheless, “The Elephant Whisperer” is a fascinating glimpse of Africa. We love our dogs, cats, and other pets. Anthony, and many humans, believe animals think like humans. Many think animals communicate among themselves. However, today, it is evolutionary instinct and conditioning; not cognition, that rules the non-human community.

Riveting story!

I didn't know what to expect when I started this book. I was immediately taken in both by the story and the narrator. It chronicles the beginning of a wildlife park in South Africa and the rehabilitation of a misbehaving herd of elephants. The author tells his story, the joys and challenges he and the animals faced in the process. I found myself laughing and crying at alternate times during the course of the book (which got a little awkward when I listened to it while working out at my busy gym)! I strongly recommend this book!