Disclaimer: 3 of these are elephant stories kind of by accident. I didn’t know before reading The Elephant Company how truly amazing elephants are and fell in love deeper with each elephant book I read.
True stories about animals have become one of my favorite genres. I love animals so it’s not a surprise. But it’s been a more recent development for me and I am hooked. I would LOVE to hear your favorites in the comments below.
Here are my top 5 (so far):
- The Elephant Company | This book made me cry. Full stop. I had no clue elephants could be as loving and loyal as they are. “The Elephant Company” is a non-fiction narrative that tells the remarkable story of J.H. Williams, a British adventurer, and his experiences working with elephants in Burma during the early 20th century. It offers insight into the unique bond between humans and elephants and the extraordinary courage and resourcefulness displayed by Williams and the elephants in the face of adversity. It sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of World War II history and celebrates the unsung heroes who contributed to the war effort in unconventional ways. I’ve read it twice and I’m sure I’ll read it again.
- Alex & Me | Prepare for your mind to be blown by how smart Alex is. This book is written by Irene M. Pepperberg. It is a memoir that recounts Pepperberg’s groundbreaking research with an African Grey parrot named Alex and the deep bond they formed over decades of working together. The book is a captivating blend of science, personal experience, and a tribute to the unique connection between humans and animals. It highlights the extraordinary cognitive abilities of birds and the importance of understanding and respecting their intelligence. Alex could recognize colors, shapes, letters, and numbers and was so smart he would get bored of all the “science” in his life and play jokes on Pepperberg in front of her colleagues. This one will make you laugh and cry at the same time.
- Modoc | Modoc is a book written by Ralph Helfer. It is a biography that tells the incredible story of a remarkable elephant named Modoc and her lifelong bond with her trainer, Bram Gunterstein. This book is a captivating blend of adventure, love, and friendship, celebrating the unique relationship between humans and animals. “Modoc” recounts the many adventures and challenges that she and Bram face together, including their time performing in the circus, surviving a shipwreck, and navigating the perils of World War II. Through it all, their bond remains strong, demonstrating the extraordinary loyalty and intelligence of elephants. Another tear-jerker.
- Zamba | This one is also written by Ralph Helfer (what a cool life he had!). It delves into the challenges and joys of caring for and training wild animals, offering insight into the complexities of interspecies relationships. Zamba is a lion that Ralph rescued as a cub and raised as a family member. The book celebrates Zamba’s extraordinary intelligence, courage, and spirit, as well as the profound impact he had on Helfer’s life. It sounds impossible to have a relationship like this with a LION but Ralph did it. There is a scene in this book that transports you straight to paradise and will, at the least, bring tears to your eyes. Fun fact: Zamba (aka Leo the Lion) was the lion used in the MGM trademark and was in a movie that was filmed at my grandma’s house in John Day, OR. We have pictures of him with my family!!
- The Elephant Whisperer | This is the last animal book I read. It is a memoir written by Lawrence Anthony that chronicles his remarkable experiences with a herd of wild elephants on the Thula Thula game reserve in Zululand, South Africa. The book recounts Anthony’s decision to accept a herd of rogue elephants onto his reserve and his efforts to rehabilitate and form a deep bond with them. Despite initial challenges and skepticism from others, Anthony develops a profound understanding of the elephants’ behavior and communication, earning him the nickname “The Elephant Whisperer.” Through storytelling, Anthony shares the extraordinary encounters he had with the elephants, including moments of danger, joy, and sorrow. This one kept me on my toes in the best way. I couldn’t put it down.
I think the common denominator between all of these books is their ability to make you cry. Read each one with a box of tissues. And try to refrain from adopting an elephant. You’ll want to have one as a best friend after reading these. Please let me know your favorite stories about animals in the comments below. I will read them!
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L. Anthony’s wife, Francoise, wrote some books after his death about the ongoing animal rescue efforts at Thula Thula. I’ve read Elephant in my Kitchen so far. Made me want to adopt a rhino and visit as soon as possible. Your heart will break over the way these glorious creatures are being slaughtered, and the reasons why, but at least it’s tempered by people like the Anthony’s who are fighting to keep them from going extinct.
Did you draw that elephant picture above? It’s pretty neat.