An African Love Story

Lovely uplifting book

This is a lovely book with a real feel-good story. When listening I felt I was really able to visualise being in Kenya amongst the many animals described in the book. Even if you are not an animal lover I think you would enjoy this book. The relationships described both amongst the animals and between the animals and the humans are heart warming. Perhaps at times the descriptions were a little lengthy but generally I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Beautifully narrated tale of an interesting life

Cannot recommend this highly enough. Having at first thought I might find it too distressing, I soon found that the style of writing, and narration, manage to tell the story of this lady's extraordinary life and works with compassion but without undue sentimentality. You go through sadness, relief, anger and wonder and admittedly the occasional tear, but ultimately it is an uplifting story in many ways and well worth a listen.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Excellent book.

A joy to read & good to listen to Virginia Mckenna reading it. Again - excellent.

Wonderful book.

Written and read from the heart. True feeling of Africa and the wildlife. Didn't want it to ever finish.

Passionate story of deep love for man and animals

Really enjoyed this biography from a bygone era starting in colonial times all the way to the present day.

the authors love and passion for her family whether its her husband and human family to her live and compassion for her animal family.

what a worthwhile life!!

Learning to listen to Elephants through compassionate men and woman.

This books charm is definitely the reader, who captivated for me, the real life emotions of this life story. It was hard to put it down as each chapter left me in suspense to listen to yet another chapter, well into the night on some occasions. My sincere thanks to Daphne for her courage, following her second husbands death, and to Joy who made Daphine's life come alive for me.

Fantastic audio book

This book was gifted to me upon leaving my job, and beforehand I made a request to my work colleagues to donate any money that was collected as a present for me leaving to the David Sheldrake Wildlife Trust. They sponsored "Jotto" the elephant in my name and purchased this book.
I really wanted to read it but could not find the time, therefore I paid for the audio book which was beautifully narrated with dignity and passion. I do not believe anyone else could have read it better than Virginia.
I found this book incredibly interesting and didn't want it to end! it made me laugh and cry so many times. As a person who knows how intelligent and cheeky animals are, it really hit a raw nerve in regard to the human disregard for animals.
Daphne has had such a wonderful life and a really tough one at the same time, she is right when she says that you never get used to the death of an animal/friend and she has had more than her fair share.
This is a fantastic book, the beauty of it is when you own the actual book too you can see the photos of the animals and people that are mentioned in the book, its great! I would highly recommend this audio book and I would also urge you to buy the actual book too!

Oh What a beautiful book

I never wanted it to end. Daphne Sheldrick has such a full life of many emotional contrasts. The world needs people like her and her wonderful late husband David Sheldrick. Also the narrator is so important and Virginia McKenna reads this quite beautifully. However I had to buy a hard copy as well so that I could easily refer to earlier chapters.

What a priviledge to live among elephants. But oh so heart breaking! Man's greed and destruction of so many species, not just elephants, for their own gain is very painful to hear about.

Everyone should read this book. It should be read in schools and shouted from the chimney tops. We all need to know what it happening.

Astounding Testimony of Courage

This book is such a blessed testimony and reminder of what life in Africa carries for those who had the privilege of living there. It causes the hearer to float away in the imagery of the wild bushveld, the diverse flora and fauna, and share in the incredible life of the animals which Daphne came into contact with on a daily basis.
The life, loss, love and courage of the elephants really inspires the hearer to see life in a new light. There is so much we can still learn from these beautiful creatures...should we be humble enough to admit it.

A Beautiful story

This will inspire future generation to assist the wild life to be free. An understanding of elephants habits and sensitivity will assist the reader to embrace their love of elephants. Have hankies to the ready!