An Elephant in My Kitchen: What the Herd Taught Me about Love, Courage and Survival

This book and its companion The Elephant Whisperer are greatly moving accounts of the heroic struggle to save endangered species in Africa. These books restore faith in human goodness and lift your spirit in both measures. The incredible work of the people involved brings hope for the future of wildlife and the environment. Highly recommended. Warning - it will move you to tears when reading about human barbarity, and the dignity and loyalty of the elephants to those who are helping to save them. I have written further and at length about this book in my blog: naturetails.wordpress.com

I was wondering about the life post Lawrence death & Elephants at Thula after reading Elephant Whisperer. I think Francois is doing an amazing job. My heart broke when I read the fate of Impi & Gubu when the orphanage was plundered. Couldn’t fathom how Humans can be so barbaric & It hurt like I lost a family member. I wondered why security wasn’t fully beefed already when there was a Rhino shooting at Thula. But it’s easy to be a talker than a doer & I realised there are a lot of things like political & financial & communal issues that play a role here & Francois could have easily thrown in the towel & gone back to France! But she didn’t. She has been bravely holding the forte & also doing an amazing job in maintaining Lawrence’s & her legacy.Hoping she can extend the reserve & thereby make the lovely Nana’s family bigger & happier soon. Best of luck & all my love to Thula Thula & all animals there.

Following on from her late husband Lawrence Anthony (with Graham Spence) books Babylon`s Ark, The Elephants Whisperer and The Last Rhinos which are all three wonderful reads, Francoise Malby-Anthony with Katja Willemsen is another magical book showing the bravery and tenacity of this remarkable woman determined to carry on the work of saving and loving those near extinct animals, the rhinos. Is a great read and although inevitably some sadness it is written in a way where compassion shines through all she does in the protection and care of all the animals. An inspiration.

this is an impressive story of resilience and struggle by the widow of the late, lamented Lawrence Anthony, who kept their common undertaking going against most difficult odds. A shining exemple, a book that should be read not only by elephant and rhino lovers but by anyone concerned by the preservation of nature. It also depicts a number of truly lovable and dedicated people without whom Françoise could not have succeeded, not least the head ranger, the volonteers who work24/7 at the orphanage to save a tiny elephant or rhino, and many more. In spite of some its harrowing chapters, it is a story of courage and labour of love

Brilliant book couldn't put it down. I absolutely loved the elephant whisper and this book puts his wife's (Francois) perspective on the events. Plus how such a strong women coped with the unexpected death of her husband whilst dealing with the wildlife reserve plus the animals , safari business,orphanage all whilst dealing with poachers. An all inspiring book.