Imagine waves so severe that a rhino is tossed overboard. Instead of running away from the crazed primate, she stretched out her arms and caught it in mid-air and carried it back to its pen. 1999. Thank you Lynda Rutledge for researching this story and writing this wonderful fictionalized account!! A remarkable network of veins and one-way valves prevent back-flow, keeping blood from. Local Woman Names Newly Arrived Giraffes. Escondido (CA) Times-Advocate (October 28, 1938): 6. Did you notice any other prevalent themes? Her fictional account follows the giraffe truck across the Lee Highway and illustrates the scenes of America in 1938. With Woody behind the wheel, true to the actual events, the giraffe truck stopped regularly at auto camps under appropriate trees with the top of the crates open to let Boy and Girl reach up and browse. float: right; That puckish little ship battled the onslaught of the tempest for six hours and it is definitely worth keeping in mind that ships charged with transporting exotic animals back looked nothing like the state-of-the-art vessels of today. But he doesn't give up. "Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes". Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), his wish for giraffes at the National Zoo, https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ship/3298.html, https://library.sandiegozoo.org/sdzg-history-timeline/#1930, http://timeline.sandiegozoo100.org/1930/1930-3/, https://www.sandiegozoo100.org/100-animals/lofty-and-patches, https://www.sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org/timeline/1938/1938/, https://issuu.com/sdzglobal/docs/march_zn. ", "A journey through a world both intimately familiar and lost in the dust of the past. . Traveling shows displayed them as early as 1837; however, they were difficult to capture and transport, making them expensive to procure. Little did anyone now that in September 1938, during the final few days of their trip, these animals bound for San Diego would encounter what was then the most devastating hurricane to hit the upper East Coast, killing nearly 700 people. .printfriendly a, .printfriendly a:link, .printfriendly a:visited, .printfriendly a:hover, .printfriendly a:active { */ West With Giraffes Summary & Study Guide includes comprehensive information and analysis to Down on his luck and unsure of his future, Woody sees the Old Man tending to two giraffes who almost died in the hurricane. After examination and treatment, Schroeder deemed the giraffe worth saving and cleared her to make the trip. Orphaned during the Dust Bowl, he found his way to New York to work for a distant cousin. After his death, Woodys last wish is fulfilled, and his manuscripts are delivered to Augie Ann. She indeed fills our imagination with a journey full of colorful characters, tall tales, and deep secrets. Book: West With GiraffesAuthor: Lynda RutledgeEdition: Hardcover, Lake Union Publishing. I will draw a winner for the giveaway on March 19th at 9:00 AM ET and notify the winner by email. He grabs a rabbit and drops it onto the cage of the tiger, who eats it right away. You can see a map of it on this Tillman County Blog. As I looked for more historical information, I found your page. A newborn giraffe is about 6 feet (1.9 meters) tall at birth and weighs about 150 pounds (68 kilograms). display: none; I want to confirm my idea that Woody was the father of little Augie, who was the one who received his foot locker after his death with the porcelain gifaffe. I hope to die there, I do. How can you share your story and with whom? He uses a stolen motorcycle to follow the giraffes, and when the Old Mans driver, Earl, suddenly quits his job, Woody propositions him to be the new driver. I seldom read books more than once, but this one I will return to again in the future! Giraffesan animal most Americans had never actually see for themselves with their own two eyes at the timehad actually somehow managed to survive a wild ride aboard the SS Robin Goodfellow when it headed straight into a typhoon off the coast of Haiti. Lets face it, the backstory leading to that appointment with Mother Nature at her most furious would almost certainlybeyond any doubthave to be a pretty great tale to tell. Notice that it is very different from the only image online (seen with Zoo Historian's book review BELOW), showing the wobbly, patched hurricane-whipped crates being moved off the ship by the empty truck before the real-life traveling rig itself was fashioned while they were in quarantine. The story is told by a man living his last days in a nursing home as he writes his story. 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. Gawky Giraffes to Leave Athenia Today for Coast. Paterson (N.J.) News (October 10, 1938): 35. On the surface a road trip coming of age novel, but down deep an aching meditation on loss, time, and hope", Many readers have asked to see an image of the real-life traveling rig. Unbeknownst to him, she is a married woman and is being pursued by the police for stealing her husbands car and crossing state lines without a male chauffeur. Memoirs. Kindle Edition. It's a little hard to read, but it's a memory of Woody's, rather than happening in real time, which makes it a little easier. Another indication that Benchley was loved by the zoo staff came after she found herself in the hospital for eleven weeks following an auto accident. The Question and Answer section for West With Giraffes is a great As the country teeters between a depression and Europes looming war, a pair of giraffes, survivors of a hurricane at sea, left a wake of much-needed cheer while driven cross-country to the San Diego Zoo, where lady zoo director Mrs. Belle Benchley awaited. (And New York would not experience one as destructive until Hurricane Sandy in 2012.) will review the submission and either publish your submission or providefeedback. What follows is a twelve-day road trip in a custom truck to deliver Southern Californias first giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. The past tense is used in Woody's recounting of the story, and the present tense is used in sections that describe Woody's writing process in the convalescent home. The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Rutledge, Lynda. . But this book is VERY adventurous and kept me on my toes the entire time. ", "I was profoundly moved by West with Giraffes. They gained an evolutionary trait so they could survive. The events of the twelve-day cross-country drive are difficult to decipher outside of what Smith revealed to journalists and The Boss Lady. He did not keep a journal, so Lynda Rutledge takes creative license to fill in the blanks for us. There were many reasons giraffes were hard to come by for Americas first zoos. Other than the female hurting her leg in the hurricane, they are uninjured. There are many photos of dust storms from the 1930s online. The story is set around a truly extraordinary real life occurrence that took place in 1938. When have you been so driven to do something that you felt like nothing could stop you? I too felt the love for the giraffes and all animals really. By this time, the hurricane giraffes had made national headlines. (It can be read with the Kindle app on any device. Theyve seen the world. Upon hearing that the giraffes were bound for San Diego, Woody became determined to follow them to the land of milk and honey and begin a new life. Reading it was like falling into another world. I headed to San Diego and their new zoo, where Id heard that the animals get treated better than the people. Have you ever visited a zoo? If you have what were the highlights for you? As the giraffes were rolling out of sight, Woody runs as fast as he can through the flooded streets, passing dozens of reporters, and eventually steals a motorcycle to keep up with the truck bound for the quarantine facility. One of the giraffes is hurt and the cage is crushed around her. He finds his only living relative, a cousin in New York, where he works until his cousins death in a hurricane. Stephenson, Lynda Rutledge. Woodrow Wilson Nickel is a 17 year old orphan boy who is forced to leave his home after his familys tragic death during the Dust Bowl. I felt it worthwhile to let that go and just enjoy the ride as I was effortlessly transported on a cross-country drive in the autumn of 1938. cursor: pointer; (Available in Hardback, Paperback, Audio, and Kindle E-Book)CLICK *HERE* to Sample or Buy on AMAZON__________________________. Overall, I don't think that the subject of animal cruelty is present enough in this book to keep anyone from reading it. and sweet foreign farm dung. For a farm boy who grew up listening to his father prattle on that animals were nothing more than food, this experience was life-changing. border: none; The country had endured a Great Depression, filling the landscape with Hoovervilles and shantytowns, WPA and CCC projects, and migrants searching for a better life. . mercedes timing chain replacement; settings, processes, methods, and tools in communication; 1 lb propane tank regulator for tabletop grills; chebrolu surname caste An utterly beautiful novel.".. What senses transport you to another time and place? Thank you for such an amazing story! vertical-align: middle; Sweet memories. When have you felt joy with an animal whether domesticated or in the wild? . Woody has heard all about "Californy" and his dream is to go there and start a new glamorous life. What follows is a twelve-day road trip in a custom truck to become Southern California's first giraffes. I recommend reading the book before the guide. @media screen { . This is the All Book'd Book Club pick for January! Giraffes evolved to have longer necks so that they could reach the leaves at the tops of trees. I'm like your sister. San Diego, CA: Zoological Society of San Diego. Woody learns that Red is pregnant, and that she lied about being a photographer for Life magazine. So I'll give a SPOILER WARNING HERE. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. They were given names Lofty and Patches, the winning entries in a naming contest. It has a happy ending. 1947. I absolutely loved this book. The giraffes, probably only a few years old, were met at the Brooklyn dock by the San Diego Zoos head keeper Charley Smith (Riley Jones and Old Man in the novel) and city truck driver Ed Seuss (Earl). A man from the zoo shows up to drive the giraffes across the country to the zoo, and that's where the whole adventure begins. . An editor According to Benchley, they were one of the few breeding pairs in captivity. I have to say, though, that no matter what I write on this post, it won't do justice to this book. During that time they had seven offspring, including aptly named D-Day, born June 6, 1944. Which is why we're providing you with this list of top book club questions that will generate general discussion whether you're focused on nonfiction, a self-help book, a juicy historical romance novel, or one of Reese's, Jenna Bush Hager's or, of course, Oprah's favorites. 2016. https://www.sandiegozoo100.org/100-animals/lofty-and-patches. Red was an aspiring photojournalist trying to sell her giraffe story to Life magazine. You made the people come alive as you filled in the lives to match the historical facts. I did some research too and found a website that gave me an idea of what the two crates looked like. Giraffes Proud Parents at the San Diego Zoo. Los Angeles Times (August 28, 1952): 15. West with Giraffes is a wonderful novel based on the true story of the cross-country road trip America's first giraffes took in 1938. "Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes". Register here for All Book'd and come to. 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. Finally, the last thing I can think of is that Woody describes his last day at home in Texas, where his father forced him to put down his horse with a rifle. Note that this guide, like all of the guides, may contain spoilers. She had red curls all over her head, a fiery halo of raging waves she surely battled into submission every morning, and she was wearing trousersthe first woman Id ever seen doing so in real life. Just when Woody thought this crazy girl had stopped following them, the green Packard would come roaring into view. z-index: 1000; position: relative (Available in Hardback, Paperback, Audio, and Kindle E-Book) CLICK *HERE*to Sample or Buy on AMAZON THE The Lee Highway ran from New York City to San Diego. "Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes" Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. Because I loved this book so much, I bought a paperback copy to give to my dad, and I'd also like to buy a Kindle copy to give away to one of you! Two African giraffes, who barely survive the 1938 Hurricanewhile crossing the Atlantic, make it to New York City. She smelled of fur . When 17-year-old Woodrow Wilson Nickel buried the last of his family, he struck out from his Texas panhandle . Realizing that punching all the TVs in the world wouldnt save the giraffes, he set out to document his story of how two giraffes changed his life forever. I loved the giraffes, the characters, the story, the writing. In normal conditions this would be a rough trip, especially for temperature-sensitive giraffes, which were placed in crates and forced to endure whatever the high seas threw at them. The book was wonderful and reading this was the icing on the cake! Best-selling "West with Giraffes" author Lynda Rutledge took time out to zip around the village during our interview. Sorry. This is the only image available, a newspaper article offering a glimpse of the finished traveling rig, with a tarp over it. This was kind of tough for me, because the books I read typically don't have animals in them. What happened on that ship during the storm is almost too crazy to be true. .printfriendly { It is as efficient in conveying all the necessary facts of the incident as the incident is seemingly absurd. Woody Wilson is a 17-year old boy from the Texas Panhandle in the 1930's. San Diego, CA: Zoological Society of San Diego. 2021. Train travel did not allow that freedom. Part adventure, part historical saga, and part coming-of-age love story, West with Giraffesexplores 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. What do you want shared about you were while you were here on earth? Fantastic, and such a good read. "West With Giraffes Study Guide: Analysis". There are plenty of opportunities to learn the skill of storytelling perhaps you can take a class at your local library or from a local storyteller. "Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes" Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. Perhaps you will fall in love with those giraffes and enjoy the adventures of Old Man and Woody as much as I did. } I had every emotion through the course of reading this book. box-shadow: none; I highly recommend complementing the book with photos and/or audio. Hitler is threatening Europe, and world-weary Americans long for wonder. However, as soon as she was upright the crew could see that her left rear ankle was severely injured. I also really appreciate your review with the animal notes. Seattle, WA: Lake Union Publishing. The game plays on that feeling a lot, with the fact that humanity now has to adapt to this new infection and do things that they didn't do before to survive. However, from Benchleys 1941 memoir it is obvious that Smith did not update her as much as she would have preferred. float: left; I especially think that teen boys would really like it. "Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes" Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. It is one of my favorite books I have read in my 84 1/2 yrs. "Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes" Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes. ETA: Ugh, this form wasn't working because I forgot to change the permissions last night. Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel Publishing. "This is the kind of story that, when well-told, can change one's perspective on the world""Heartbreakingly beautiful""Simply magic""Lynda Rutledge has written a one in a million book""The depth of feeling that went into the writing of this wonderful book exudes from every page""This book is so good it gives me shivers""A modern masterpiece", -some of Lynda's favorite reader responses, An emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story. The 45-mile drive from Brooklyn to the quarantine facility through flooded and debris-ridden streets, avoiding potentially low-rise overpasses, was certainly a true test of how the giraffes might handle a drive across the country, which in fact had never been done before with the towering creatures. Animal Quarantine Station in Athenia, New Jersey, for a federally mandated fifteen-day quarantine. Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. Not affiliated with Harvard College. The director of the zoo tells Old Man, Any friend of Mrs. Benchley is welcome here.. What we called highways were barely tolerable for transporting people much less chauffeuring giraffes. (Side note: these events occurred one year after young Nicky Arundel got his wish for giraffes at the National Zoo.). ", "I've read some truly wonderful books in my life, but never one I'm convinced will stay with me forever as will West with Giraffes. I love giraffes and I feel I would really enjoy this book. I got this book as one of the amazon first reads as well but I hadn't started it yet because like you I wasn't sure I was going to like it even though I love animals but I thought it would bother me with what happens with the animals and that it may be too historical. What motivates you to action? 25 Feb/23. You need to read it yourself! Pages : 372 pages. 2021. Tall Blondes: A Book about Giraffes. He resolves to follow them to California. I will start out by spoiling the ending (kind of) and saying that the animals arrive safely in San Diego. even Maggie the orangutan. I too cannot read a book or watch a movie or anything involving animal cruelty/death. Until, one day, I finally began to write: A few of the THOUSANDS of reader reviews: "It's not often I have to sit in silence and recover when I finish a book, but I needed to after this one. outline:none; Cyrus Badger shares with Woody the depth of the Old Mans love for him, and Woody comes to California home. Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. They find it in two giraffes who miraculously survive a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic. She and Woody slowly form a relationship, but she does not share Woodys affections. Whats your story? An emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America. Here is the description from the publisher: "An emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America. The giraffes were actually named Patches and Lofty and after surviving the tumultuous trip across the sea that saw their transport sail smack dab into a hurricane, the animals did indeed make the cross-country to the new home waiting for them at the San Diego Zoo. As a reader I felt as if I were sitting with Woody, the Old Man, Red, Wild Girl and Wild Boy as they traveled west, feeling the giraffes snuffling, hearing their thrumming, watching them reach out for an onion. Hitler is threatening Europe, and world-weary Americans long for wonder. As a reader I felt as if I were sitting with Woody, the Old Man, Red, Wild Girl and Wild Boy as they traveled west, feeling the giraffes snuffling, hearing their thrumming, watching them reach out for an onion. My sister passed it on to me and knew Id enjoy it. And if you end up buying a copy, I'd be grateful if you. West With Giraffes, Lynda Rutledge "Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes" Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. With the necessary funds, zoo director Belle Benchley, the first female zoo director in the world, paid for two young Ugandan giraffes and one rhinoceros to be shipped from Africa in 1938. DeLeon, Clark. The accomplishment topped off what turned out to be a very successful year for the zoo. the rig, the Old Man, and the giraffes were more homeand more familythan any home Id ever had. border: none; This month, the theme was "The One With the Chick and the Duck"--we were to choose a book that had an animal in it. His parents and baby sister died in the Dust Bowl and Woody makes his way to New York City to find his only known/living relative, Cuz. THIS above was the one I described in West with Giraffes.CLICK TO ENLARGE. But when he learns giraffes are going extinct, he finds . National Geographic shared a 2-minute video of murmuration of starlings in the Netherlands with an audio track that is mesmerizing to listen to all by itself. Residential LED Lighting. Memories stick to things. So preciousIt reminded me of my days at the St Louis Zoo and Bill Ross the elephant man. } One of the aspects of the novel I enjoyed the most was the depiction of Belle Benchleysweet but tough, and highly respected. This is a book that I read with my heart as well as my eyes, every page a joy", "There is so much history in West with Giraffe's travels including artfully-woven reminders of the tragic Dust Bowl and the many struggles and prejudices African Americans endured", "Publishers actually seem to encourage writing books that are like some other books: "Reminiscent of _________, for fans of ________". The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. If you want to dip your toe in the water you can read a few tips on line such as How to Tell Better Stories: 4 Simple Tips for Introverts from Introverts, Dear short and to the point! I have been recommending it to everyone! 9) This novel touches on important topics such as: race, classic, identityetc. west with giraffes ending explained. Have you shared it? It's gripping, moving, and so incredibly touching. She was right. -webkit-box-shadow: none; Pictures taken just after unloading from ship. West With Giraffes, while an historical novel, reads as a beautiful memoir of one brief and eventful journey. San Diego, already a world-class zoo, opened their WPA-constructed Reptile House and a zoo caf. and won the hearts of Depression-era America. Thank you for this! West with Giraffes: A Novel Lake Union Publishing Hardcover (also available as an e-book, an audiobook, on audio CD, and in paperback), 978-1-5420-2174-6, 356 pgs., $24.95 February 1, 2021 "That's your first story, but it doesn't have to be your only story. The giraffes were blighted with an unnamed contagion and had to be destroyed before it could spread to. Wendy Eckart. You can help us out by revising, improving and updating The giraffes Girl and Boy sound great characters.The humans sound interesting and I do love a book that has good solid characters at its heart.Your line "The characters in the . With this novel, that true story becomes a parable of our times. /* If html does not have either class, do not show lazy loaded images. Others view zoos as limiting the natural inclinations and wanderings of animals, treating them as property and keeping them from their native lands. 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