The Will of Heaven

An Inspiring True Story About Elephants, Alcoholism, and Hope

By: Debbie Ethell

Narrated by: Debbie Ethell

Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

The Will of Heaven is the powerful true story of how one woman overcame a debilitating addiction - rising from the courtrooms of her past to the grass plains of Kenya as a conservation research scientist. It was there she could finally fulfill her lifelong dream of working with wild elephants.

Debbie Ethell became obsessed by a group of elephants in Kenya when she was eight years old after seeing them on a PBS nature show. Over the next several years, her obsession grew - until a group of school bullies left her contemplating suicide.

By the time she was 26, an addiction to alcohol robbed her of nearly everything except her dreams...and it nearly took those too. Left with one final option and more judges in her life than friends, she entered a treatment center and then a halfway house, where she slowly learned how to live life sober.

The Will of Heaven vividly captures her serendipitous journey as she discovers her inner strength - not unlike that of the elephants whose stories she tells. Part biography, part revelation, this story will inspire others to reach further than they ever thought they could. Above all, it conveys a strong message of hope, both for elephants fighting to survive poaching and for alcoholics fighting to survive addiction.

©2018 Deborah Mae Ethell (P)2019 Deborah Mae Ethell

a story of struggle and triumph

this is a story that animal lovers will love... along with non fiction readers. it's a story of triumph over struggles and how life can give you good surprises not always negative. It's about overcoming... while yes it follows a alcoholic and addiction can be replaced here to get the life lessons it teaches.

A book of hope for elephants and people

I loved this book. I loved it so much that after listening to it I bought the physical copy. This book does not focus on the poaching aspect of elephants in Kenya. Instead it focuses on the hope and success of orphaned elephants. I have read all the books I can find on elephants and they usually focus on poaching, mistreatment and they just make elephants futures seem hopeless. Not is this book. The book is a true story, read by the author, about her journey through and out of addiction. She uses the real life stories of the orphaned elephants, that she has studied since a childhood, at the Kenyan based David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and its founders as inspiration to get her through her troubled times. Their inspiring stories helped guide and push her to obtain her dreams. The stories she relates with the elephants brought me tears of wonder at how loving, intelligent and most importantly compassionate these animals are. After reading this book I feel like I have no excuse to reach for my dreams. The author literally pulled herself out of rock bottom and took many chances that were scary and daunting and achieved her wildest dreams. She also founded the KOTA Foundation For Elephants. Such a cool story. I can't wait for her other books to come out.

Excellent book!

This is the most amazing and interesting book. I especially loved all the information and about the elephants and especially learning about their emotional side. They are my favourite animals. I just love them. I am so glad that you were healed of alcoholism, a terrible disease. Rosemary Moolman, South Africa