She’s not really a writer, but there’s lots of story to work with. In the end, it feels like an adventure told to you by an eccentric aunt in the comfort of her kitchen. You can’t help but empathize with the story and the characters.

A great insight into the huge amount of work and cost that goes into rhino and elephant safety and the impact of poaching. ( )

This book is an emotional roller coaster as it is a follow up to The Elephant Whisperer. Lawrence Anthony’s wife, Francoise, shares some stories of her life with Lawrence and how she carried on after his sudden death. She loves her South African home and is passionate about animal conservation. It’s impressive how she expanded their reserve by building a center for rhino orphans. For every heart warming story about her amazing animals, there’s a heart wrenching story of evil poachers. ( )

Be warned. This book will break your heart. While this book does reference The Elephant Whisperer a couple of times, it mostly focuses on how she coped with her husband's death. I read the Elephant Whisperer a couple of years back and as far as I can recall this book does just as much justice to the combined magic and tragedy that living in the bush entails. Although I do think that a few vague references to events of that book may leave those who are unfamiliar with the story wanting more. The author explores her struggles and successes and explores the unique challenges hat come from being a (foreign) white woman deep in rural South Africa (where tradition plays a major role in daily life) in a respectful way. She examines the way she contributes, admitting her own shortcomings (for example, being unable to speak the language creates a language barrier). She is torn between a desire to give up (as it all seems hopeless) and a need to fight for the hope and vision she shared with her late husband to create a safe space for wildlife. As a biologist in Africa this internal struggle between hope and the lack thereof is one I'm all too familiar with.

This book is part homage to her husband (she talks about their life together in multiple parts, including how they met and fell in love) and the animals she lost to poachers along the way (believe me, she isn't gentle when talking about the cruelty she saw) and part conservation story about running her reserve. This book had me in tears multiple times (and I may or may not be shedding a few while I write this quite a bit later than I intended to).

This is a book that hits hard and will stay with you. ( )

Lawrence Anthony and Françoise Malby-Anthony, a married couple, ran the Thula Thula Private Game Preserve in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, starting in the 1990’s. Lawrence managed animal conservation and Françoise ran the lodge. Lawrence had written a book, The Elephant Whisperer, which told of the decision to establish Thula Thula and rescue a herd of elephants. When Lawrence died suddenly in 2012, Françoise, a native of France, was thrust into the forefront of the conservation community. Many thought she would return to France, but she had fallen in love with life in the African bush and decided to continue running the preserve. She learned and adapted through experience. She tells her story in this book, picking up where The Elephant Whisperer left off.

Malby-Anthony establishes a rehabilitation center, initially targeted at rhinos, to provide a safe haven until they can be reintroduced into the wild. In addition to rhinos, she and her staff care for an orphaned elephant and hippo. This book is replete with heart-warming animal anecdotes and heart-breaking tragedies. Her deep caring for these creatures shines through. The author is a vocal advocate for anti-poaching, particularly regarding rhino horns. Rhino horns are made of keratin, the same substance as our fingernails, yet they are coveted for their imagined healing properties. As she says, "I am constantly confronted by the brutality of poaching and it's hard not to lose faith in mankind, but I have also met so many beautiful people and organizations who remind me not to give up hope."

I read The Elephant Whisperer last year, and very much enjoyed it, so I was thrilled to receive an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book from the publisher. Anyone who loves African wildlife, has a passion for conservation, or has wondered about the challenges of running a game preserve will enjoy this book.
( )