Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.
The Elephant Whisperer  By  cover art

The Elephant Whisperer

By: Lawrence Anthony, Graham Spence
Narrated by: Simon Vance
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $17.19

Buy for $17.19

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

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)

What listeners say about The Elephant Whisperer

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    6,198
  • 4 Stars
    1,094
  • 3 Stars
    242
  • 2 Stars
    51
  • 1 Stars
    35
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    5,856
  • 4 Stars
    879
  • 3 Stars
    156
  • 2 Stars
    23
  • 1 Stars
    10
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    5,725
  • 4 Stars
    918
  • 3 Stars
    225
  • 2 Stars
    35
  • 1 Stars
    22

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

very touching moving book.

loved it. sad it over. really enjoyed the magnificent creatures way of communication to him . cried some to.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Best Book Ever

My new favorite book of all time. i couldn’t recommend it more. A definite must read.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Story

i loved the story of Lawrence Anthony's efforts to save the Herd and his heartfelt compassion for animal welfare. Simon Vance was the perfect Audible performer.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Insightful and Captivating

This insightful and captivating story was an absolute joy to listen to. I felt as if I was there.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful story

Excellent narration and the story and lessons demonstrated with letting wild animals be free and wild is beautiful and important for our time

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Extraordinary!

Sorry when it was over. Some parts were so unbelievable I felt I was reading fantasy. However, loving elephants all my life, I can easily believe that they are as sentient as humans and maybe higher in emotional intelligence.

The smooth dialogue and accents were easy to get lost in, and Simon Vance's reading was perfect. He really seemed to be enjoying himself.

I know I'm going to enjoy the rest of the series.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I love elephants!

This is a wonderful adventure of caretakers, love of animals, and most definitely elephants in South Africa. I enjoyed it as well as had my heart broken. Well, worth the tears.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

What a Wonderful Book!

I learned so much about elephants, Zulu culture, what happened to zoos in Baghdad, and the ways of the African bush. I really enjoyed the story. The description made me feel like I was there in Africa, experiencing what the speaker did.

The reader’s voice was interesting—I liked it.

I have recommended this book to all my friends and family.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Remarkable and magnificent

The best non-fiction story, I have ever read!
This story is a beautiful and magical telling of humans and animals ability to connect with each other on a spiritual level.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A must!

This tale shed light on something I rarely thought of. The ups and downs and twists and turns had me hooked. I didn’t stop listening for full week.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!