As you read the reviews on Bookshop Talk, you'll notice that every review is positive. No, we're not a bunch of literary
pushovers who love everything we pick up; we just see no point in telling you about a book if we didn't like it.

April 27, 2015

ELEPHANT COMPANY by Vicki Constantine Croke, 2014


The remarkable story of James Howard “Billy” Williams, whose uncanny rapport with the world’s largest land animals transformed him from a carefree young man into the charismatic war hero known as Elephant Bill. Part biography, part war epic, and part wildlife adventure, Elephant Company is an inspirational narrative that illuminates a little-known chapter in the annals of wartime heroism. (Goodreads)

Reviewed by Katie Rice - Mama

This book is 'real-life Tarzan'.  Billy Williams went to Burma in the 1920's for work.  He became an elephant expert.  He was their teacher, doctor, advocate and friend.  Throughout his life he interacts with them and learns from them.  He experiences a career, a family, and even war while maintaining a friendship with these animals.

Elephants are incredible.  Did you know they only sleep two to three hours each day?  With all the little narratives from William's life there are fascinating things to learn about elephants.  They take on a super-human role.  This is the sort of book an animal lover loves.

I could put ELEPHANT COMPANY down, and come back to a few days later and still be impressed with the world.  It's an adventure that made me think about my own real-life adventures and how I treat the people and living creatures around me.

Market: Nonfiction for adults, though an easy read
Language: Maybe a couple naughty words
Sensuality: Sexuality is talked about, though no graphic scenes
Violence: There is a war.  The most graphic scene is when Williams helps to clean out a bloated elephant (yuck, right?)
Mature Themes: war, bachelorhood, racial inequality (underlying)

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