Book Reviews & Recommended Reading
A must-read for Anyone who loves Wildife!
This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to have a deeper understanding of what it takes for SUCCESSFUL wildlife conservation. The book was extra special to me because I have been following the re-introduction of lions into Coutada 11 on Instagram for over a year. Rather than a few words in a post each day, it was great to learn about the entire operation, as well as the committed, hard-working, generous, and conservation-minded people who made it happen. What these dedicated people and organizations did to bring an African wasteland back to a thriving wildlife habitat is simply amazing. BRAVO! BUT, the message behind the book is even more thrilling….This model can be replicated…and already is in many areas! For the sake of Africa, its people, and wildlife, give this book a read…and share it with others.
Aside from the importance of the book, it is a highly entertaining easy read…not bogged down in scientific data etc.
Available at www.mikearnoldoutdoors.com
AMAZING! Deeply Moving and Inspirational
The book Killing the Shepherd, Behind the Film, is a companion to the multi-award-winning documentary Killing the Shepherd. The film is a true story of how a few wonderful and committed people save a village…and restore the area’s depleted wildlife resources. It is no fairy tale version of Africa, it is a gritty unflinching look at the brutal realities of life in the bush…the good, the bad, and the ugly. I have watched the film three times and have yet to get through it without tears alternating between sadness, despair, joy, and hope. But let’s concentrate on HOPE! This is a life-changing film and book that will change the way people look at wildlife conservation. While the book has less impact viscerally, it provides far more details and background into this amazing conservation and basic human rights story. If you care about Africa, its people, or wildlife…and others like them throughout the world…watch the film, read the book, or do both!
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Note: A shortened educational version of the film is available at the website listed below.
Film and Book at www.shepherdsofwildlife.com
Fascinating, Informative, fun, and WITTY! A must read for anyone who loves wildlife!
As a non-hunter who experienced my own evolution of thought regarding conservation, I found MacDuffs journey -- from an anti-hunting animal-welfare-activist New York city-slicker to passionate hunter and conservationist – utterly fascinating. While we come from vastly different backgrounds, experiences, and avenue of transformation, we basically arrived at the same conclusion -- anyone who cares about the natural world and having wildlife for future generations should LOVE well-managed hunting…even if you have zero desire to pull the trigger yourself.
But, I did not love this book just because we came to the same conclusions after oodles of research and first-hand experience. I loved this book because Brant shares his story and knowledge in a way that will have you snickering throughout the book with his witty insights. For instance, when speaking about Africa (which is my passion), he states “If tommorrow we find out the best scientifically recommended way to protect species, empower local communities, preserve habitat, and stop poachers is actually nude mud wrestling, then I'll get my ass waxed and be on the next flight to Zimbabwe.” The book is full of entertaining quips that really hit home with the message he is sharing.
The thought and research he put into being the most environmentally conscious as possible -- from a very early age -- is unbelievable. But most commendable, when research and common sense blew his preconceived notions out of the water, he didn’t bury his head in the sand. He evolved.
This book is a must read for hunters, non-hunters, and anti-hunters. If read with an open mind, each group will gain insights into the minds of those different from us, hopefully helping to bridge the gap and do what is best for our world…and the wildlife that we all love so much.
Note: A shortened educational version of the film is available at the website listed below.
Available at www.immortalanimals.com
A captivating Memoir with humor, adventure…and heartbreaking realities.
Catherine is an amazing woman with spirit, grit, and fortitude. She is also very SPUNKY and hilarious! Her memoir is about their life in Zimbabwe… and the ultimate forced removal from their homeland. Although the underlying narrative chronicles a country in turmoil, her story is full of adventure and hilarious stories (tales ONLY possible in Africa!)
I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat in total wonder and fascination as Catherine shared bits of her life growing up in Zimbabwe…and later, I felt the sorrow and loss as all that they loved and had worked so hard for was taken from them.
This is a must-read for anyone who loves adventure, enjoys learning of other cultures, loves Africa, or longs to understand the wondrous continent’s troubled past.
