Giants
of the Monsoon Forest: Living and Working With Elephants
by Jacob Shell (599.67 She)
by Jacob Shell (599.67 She)
Giants
of the Monsoon Forest: LIving and Working With Elephants takes us
on an adventure through the rainforests of Burma and India. We are shown a
glimpse of the Asian Elephants and their unique relationship with their mahouts
– elephant riders. Giants
of the Monsoon Forest is a non-fiction nature book written by
Professor of Geography and Urban Studies, Jacob Shell.
This book celebrates the symbiotic
relationship between humans and the magnificent Asian elephant. Through a
collection of personal stories, Shell illustrates how intelligent, emotional
and independent elephants are. Similar to working dogs and horses, elephants
engage in a medley of work. During wartime, elephants transported people
through secret and treacherous pathways to avoid the enemy. In day to day
operations, they log giant teak trees and transport goods. But their true courage
comes out during monsoon season where, time after time, they save their humans
from being whisked away and drowning. The book abounds with harrowing stories
of villagers who were saved solely by the wit and athleticism of the elephants.
What astounded me most, and
ultimately drew me in, was the fact that these elephants are never truly
domesticated. They are released into the wilderness in the evenings and during
mating season, only to willingly meet up with their human counterpart the next
day to continue working. They seem to instinctively enjoy work, creating a
mysteriously primitive and organic alliance between elephant and man. Further,
the nature of their work require them to rely upon their own wit, intelligence,
athleticism. Many of rescues were the result of the initiative of the elephant,
not simply the actions of a beast of burden following orders.
I would describe Shell’s writing
style as feature journalistic in that it is informative and well-researched yet
captivating. A smart, engaging read that still feels accessible and not overly
technical or dry. Several beautiful black and white photographs are sprinkled
throughout the book as well, including maps for those who are intrigued by
cartography.
This book will appeal to many as it
is part history, part zoology, and part anthropology. Shell also touches on
environmental and ethical dilemmas. If you enjoy reading about the
relationships between animals and humans, I highly recommend this book.
[If
you enjoy this, you may also wish to try The Eighty-Dollar Champion: Snowman, The Horse That Inspired a
Nation by Elizabeth Letts, or Born Free: A Lioness of Two Worlds by Joy Adamson.]
[
publisher’s official Giants of the Monsoon Forest web site ] | [ official Jacob Shell web
site ]
See
also: Bob B.’s review of When Elephants Weep: The Emotional
Life of Animals here on BookGuide in August 2006
Recommended
by Monica K.
Bennett Martin Public Library – Public Service
Bennett Martin Public Library – Public Service
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