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An emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America.
“Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes…”
Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. But when he learns giraffes are going extinct, he finds himself recalling the unforgettable experience he cannot take to his grave.
It’s 1938. The Great Depression lingers. Hitler is threatening Europe, and world-weary Americans long for wonder. They find it in two giraffes who miraculously survive a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic. What follows is a twelve-day road trip in a custom truck to deliver Southern California’s first giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. Behind the wheel is the young Dust Bowl rowdy Woodrow. Inspired by true events, the tale weaves real-life figures with fictional ones, including the world’s first female zoo director, a crusty old man with a past, a young female photographer with a secret, and assorted reprobates as spotty as the giraffes.
Part adventure, part historical saga, and part coming-of-age love story, West with Giraffes explores what it means to be changed by the grace of animals, the kindness of strangers, the passing of time, and a story told before it’s too late.
Publisher : Lake Union Publishing (February 1, 2021)
Language : English
Paperback : 371 pages
ISBN-10 : 1542023343
ISBN-13 : 978-1542023344
Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
Dimensions : 5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches
4.5
Reviewer: DHSTEIN4
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: This is a Fantastic book!
Review: This book was recommended by a couple of my teacher friends. At first when I read the description I knew this was my typical book that I normally readâso wasnât sure if I would even finish itâ but it bought it for my kindle and saw I could listen to it for $1.99âsold! I had a two day driving trip coming up so I thought why not. My husband and I LOVED it â loved the charactersâ made you laugh, made you feel sad and made you happy. Great writing, incredible story. I think I got more out of it because of the narration, I think that is what did it for me. I cannot recommend it enoughâ I hope to read or listen to more books by this author. Buy it read it you will not be disappointed .
Reviewer: Charlene F.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A Beautiful Book
Review: I truly loved this book. I also love giraffes. After seeing them in the wild in Kruger National Park in South Africa I think they are beautiful graceful creatures. The title drew me to the book. It took a bit to understand the going back and forth. I love to read historical novels and this seemed to be well thought out. A good variety of characters kept me interested. I wish he had gone to work in the zoo and had a happier life after the war. I certainly recommend West With Giraffes.
Reviewer: Diana H. Maine
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Excellent Title
Review: West with Giraffes is written by Lynda Rutledge.The book is a historical story. An animal story. An adventure story. A love story.The story concerns a very young, abused, saddened boy, Woodrow Wilson Nickel, who at age 105 throws himself into writing down his amazing, unforgettable experience with two giraffes. He cannot let his story die with him.In 1938, with the Great Depression lingering and a World War looming on the horizon, Americans welcomed a âfeel good storyâ of two giraffes who survived a deadly hurricane while crossing the Atlantic. What followed their rescue was a road trip cross country to the SanDiego Zoo.I liked the writing, the uniqueness of the situation, the giraffes themselves, and the emotional (often frustrating) story of Woodrow Wilson Nickel.I liked the historical facts of the story itself, the headlines and news stories, the telegrams.I liked the epilogue. I liked the âauthorâs noteâ. I especially liked the historical notes – the information about Belle Benchley, the Zoo Lady; the Burma-Shave Ads; info about the Great Hurricane of 1938; the very real âGiraffe Humâ; Hobo Cards; Hoovervilles; James Fenimore Cooper, considered to be the first true major American novelist; Lloydâs of London; the Lee andLincoln Highways; the Mann Act; the SS Robin Goodfellow; Rube Golberg; the Tin Lizzie; the WPA/CCC.I loved one of Woodyâs quotes âFew true friends have I known and two were giraffes.â****
Reviewer: Debra Kirby
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A Must Read
Review: âWest with Giraffesâ is interesting, educational, emotional, and an easy read. I highly recommend this book for all readers of fiction/historical fiction/historical, or for a Book Club. Whether youâre a history buff or an animal lover you will enjoy West with Giraffes with itâs handful of well defined and relatable characters and the story of two gentle giantâs amazing historic journey across the country during a time of great hardship and struggle for many Americans.
Reviewer: Kimberly Banta
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A Simple but Powerful Read
Review: Quite a story, full of plain speaking and complex emotions of a young man, turned ancient. The giraffes are so real, and majestic. A love story of animals and man, and a woman. So glad to have read this journey of two giraffes, a young man, an older man, and a fabulously adventure-seeking woman.
Reviewer: LoveToRead
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: You Will Cry
Review: One of the best books I have read in a long time. It is poignant and it is based on a true story. Every character is a treasure. They are such a diverse collection of people who reflect the times and the world before, after and during the Great Depression and WWII.
Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Heartwarming and Engaging
Review: A beautiful and adventurous story set in one of the most challenging times in America. Growing up in Southern California, I had many opportunities to visit the San Diego Zoo- a very special place! I thoroughly enjoyed this beautifully written book and the adventurous story of its first giraffe residents.
Reviewer: Julie Deery
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Giraffes are so special to me hence the choosing of this book
Review: Based on a true story, this is an amazing read all the while trying to imagine how this all went down. It got a slight bit repetitive as caring for animals day in and out to meet their needs can be. Overall loved this story and the very caring characters who loved boy and girl!
Reviewer: BonnieLC
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I started reading this thinking, oh what a cute story and not much else. However at some point that turned to what a captivating story and I couldnât put it down. Highly recommend, full of heart mixed with lots of reality checks.
Reviewer: DDD
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Iâve given this as a gift since I read it. A really good, unexpected novel. You wonât regret reading it.
Reviewer: david canford
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: A fabulous book inspired by a real event: two giraffes who are driven from New York to San Diego Zoo in 1938 after arriving from Africa. The writing is superb and often gripping.The author adds imagined characters, the two main ones being a young âOkieâ who has a âdust bowlâ back story and a female photographer. Apparently, the en route adventures are also imagined.The other main character, who is based on a real person, reminds the reader that animals donât have the hatred and evil in them that we humans can have, and that they are so often better than we are.A wonderful book that will stay with me a long time.
Reviewer: Ursula
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Ein wirklich tolles Buch zu lesen.
Reviewer: Anjana
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: It’s quirky, poignant, easy to read, fast paced with characters that are relatable and drama that is understated. What more can a reader ask for? ð
