Have you ever dreamed of taking or have you taken a driving trip cross-country? Recently, one particular work of historical fiction captured my interestthe fact that the title contained the word giraffes certainly helped, but upon reading the description I discovered that its based on actual events revolving around the San Diego Zoo 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. During that time they had seven offspring, including aptly named D-Day, born June 6, 1944. Thank you! 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. After examination and treatment, Schroeder deemed the giraffe worth saving and cleared her to make the trip. While waiting for the giraffe rig to begin its journey, Woody meets Red and falls in love with her at first sight. I see a message that, "This form can only be viewed by users in the owner's organization.". color: #3AAA11 !important; } As the giraffes leave quarantine, Woody jumps back on the stolen motorcycle and follows them. Using prehensile tongues almost half . He plots to try to follow the giraffes to California, which proves more difficult than he hoped. Gawky Giraffes to Leave Athenia Today for Coast. Paterson (N.J.) News (October 10, 1938): 35. . Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. I'm doing a Friends-themed read-athon for 2021, and each month there is a different "Friends-based" theme to choose a book. I enjoyed West with Giraffes too, and your review was a delight -- remembering the book once again. An emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America. Benchley recalled, I have never seen anyone so tired and relieved as Charley Smith when he drove the great awkward truck through the zoo gate, half an hour after phoning me from a suburb. Two huge broken-up crates are lifted off containing amazing cargo: two Baringo giraffes. and won the hearts of Depression-era America. An editor Red shares with Woody that she suffers from a broken heart. I wasn't excited about reading it, but I wanted to stick with the theme. 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. } Staff would often sneak in some of the animals when visiting herbaby foxes, binturongs, and other small mammals . Giraffes are animals that have long legs, but their body is small in comparison. west with giraffes ending explained. The following summary relies on the present tense. A male giraffe's average size is 14-18 feet, but you'll find the female giraffes a bit shorter than them. Giraffes Will Ride in Truck to California. Miami Herald (September 25, 1938): 4. This book is AMAZING and it's one of those books that you just can't forget. Part 3: War Years, 19371946. ZOONOOZ, March 2016. https://issuu.com/sdzglobal/docs/march_zn. Giraffes evolved to have longer necks so that they could reach the leaves at the tops of trees. FYI - the Google form doesn't appear to be working. Thank you so much for the feedback! float: right; what is a voter acknowledgement card nj. He has often bragged, When the Missus gets tired of waiting for me to write she just burns up the wires. He has nothing keeping him in New York, no family, no home, and a lot of ideas about the opportunities that await in California. west with giraffes ending explainedmr patel neurosurgeon cardiff 27 februari, 2023 . They were instant successes, and beloved by staff and visitors alike. cursor: pointer; 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. After three days of being fed pancakes (and the giraffes are indeed fed pancakes at one point in the novel), she mustered up the energy to pull herself up. She was delighted when Coronado selected West with Giraffes for their city-wide Community Read . I have to say, though, that no matter what I write on this post, it won't do justice to this book. There is not a man now on the animal staff who is not in the work because he would rather be in it than anywhere else in the world, and because he feels that his contribution is important to the Zoo and to the community. According to Ken Stott, a former San Diego Zoo curator, . However, as soon as she was upright the crew could see that her left rear ankle was severely injured. 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. 8) How do you think the title, Such a Fun Age, relates to the story? 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. Memoirs. What follows is a twelve-day road trip in a custom truck to deliver Southern California's first giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened. I will start out by spoiling the ending (kind of) and saying that the animals arrive safely in San Diego. This is the only image available, a newspaper article offering a glimpse of the finished traveling rig, with a tarp over it. West With Giraffes, while an historical novel, reads as a beautiful memoir of one brief and eventful journey. "Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes". Baby Giraffes from Africa Reach San Diego Zoo. Los Angeles Times (October 27, 1938): 14. But when he learns giraffes are going extinct, he finds himself recalling the . margin-left: 6px; I dont know how I was led to this book.Thank you to whomever suggested it. 'jetpack-lazy-images-js-enabled' Thanks. Images of America Series. 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. It is as efficient in conveying all the necessary facts of the incident as the incident is seemingly absurd. At one point in the novel, Old Man stops at the zoo in Little Rock, Arkansas, for the night to procure some medication for Girls wounded leg. "West With Giraffes" Author: Lynda Rutledge. 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. 1947. by . The Modern Ark: The Story of Zoos: Past, Present and Future. The first words in the narrative that one sees in this novel is the beginning of an article published in the New York World-Telegram newspaper on September 22, 1938. Many young giraffes, called calves, die from lion attacks during their first year of life. After reaching California, Woody steals a motorcycle and tries to follow Red back east. Were you rooting for the couple to get together all along? I just checked and I got that book as a first reads book also, I will have to add it to my good reads list so I remember I own it. While visiting his parents home, the flash flood threatens to topple the giraffe rig and kill Woody and the Old Man. Woody accepts his bribe, nearly killing Wild Girl in the process. Hitler is threatening Europe, and world-weary Americans long for wonder. oh, those sky-high eyes of theirs. Woody has heard all about "Californy" and his dream is to go there and start a new glamorous life. I loved the giraffes, the characters, the story, the writing. 1940. 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. Virginia Beach: The Donning Company. You can see a map of it on this Tillman County Blog. Prior to becoming head keeper at the San Diego Zoo, he had been with the circus since he was eleven years old, including sixteen-year gig as the lead keeper of the Ringling Bros. circus. In the novel, Woody is able to stop chasing the truck as, after much begging and pleading, he is offered the driving job by Old Man after a falling out with Earl. Schroeder was a former zoo veterinarian at the San Diego Zoo and would later become the zoos director after Benchley retired in 1953. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. Charley Smith would update Benchley via telegram during the twelve-day trek. It's 1938. This Study Guide consists of approximately 43pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - Have you shared it? 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. thissection. Wendy Eckart. What aspects of the story could you most relate to? But when he learns giraffes are going extinct, he finds himself recalling the unforgettable experience he cannot take to his grave. West With Giraffes. Everybodys got one. page 96. she was such a sweet grandmotherly type. Thats up to you. page 283. 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. January 19, 2023 . I will start by saying that the second I finished this book, I moved it into the Top 3 books I've ever read. The animals were loaded onto the S.S. Robin Goodfellow in Mombasa, British East Africa (present-day Kenya), for a 52-day, 3,200-mile journey to the coast of New York. 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. Im so happy that I found this website to answer my questions about this great book. I rode Miss Jim when I little every summer and even in her cage to feed her a carrot. Don't wait. But in many ways, the San Diego Zoo had been built on risk taking, and Dr. Harry Wegeforth, the zoos former director and then Belle Benchleys right-hand man, was darn good at fundraising. That was the plan, anyway, but the female giraffe had had enough of travel crates! Building and using wood fired ovens, recipes, pizza, DIY, and forums. If youre looking for a good read where you dont need to think too much, except maybe to daydream about your own cross-country adventure, this novel is an excellent choice. They are all saved when Red wedges her car against the truck and prevents it from overturning. I hope to die there, I do. Thank you for this! Values for the northern giraffe grouping were intermediate, with West African and Rothschild's giraffes diverging about When have you created a new story for yourself? Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. 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. 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. Besides the below book club questions, remember, the easiest way to be . Best for: 12 and up. He done a grand job and he knew it. A crane was used to lower the giraffe crates out of the truck and onto terra firma. A couple of moments are flashbacks from Woody's childhood where his dad teaches him about animals and that they are "just animals" (basically worthless for anything that can't be beneficial to humans. 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. 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. Woodrow Wilson Nickel aka Woody: 105 year-old man in 2025 writing about his experiences driving the two giraffes westMr. I read through the books for that month and just could't decide honestly, NONE of them looked good to me. After reading this,I'm ready to finish. How do you think zoos are important and when are they not? tells a story looking back at his youth of when he talked his way into helping drive a couple Giraffes from the East Coast to San Diego, California. Woodrow Wilson Nickel, aka Woody Nickel, almost 18, happens to be on a New York dock in 1938 when the hurricane-battered SS Robin Goodfellow limps into the harbor. The past tense is used in Woodys recounting of the story, and the present tense is used in sections that describe Woodys writing process in the convalescent home. Down on his luck and unsure of his future, Woody sees the Old Man tending to two giraffes who almost died in the hurricane. As Woody shares his story with the Old Man, the Old Man responds, Thats your first story, but it doesnt have to be your only story. Animal Quarantine Station in Athenia, New Jersey, for a federally mandated fifteen-day quarantine. Reflector Series 1999. It has a happy ending. I will draw a winner for the giveaway on March 19th at 9:00 AM ET and notify the winner by email. Fantastic, and such a good read. (And New York would not experience one as destructive until Hurricane Sandy in 2012.) could that giraffe have been a descendant of Lofty and Patches? display: flex; align-items: center; The accomplishment topped off what turned out to be a very successful year for the zoo. /* If html does not have either class, do not show lazy loaded images. The headline of that article is a textbook example of the art of that particular type of composition: MIRACLE GIRAFFES RIDE HURRICANE AT SEA. I had every emotion through the course of reading this book. ;) Have lots of enlightening fun! 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! ETA: Ugh, this form wasn't working because I forgot to change the permissions last night. Perhaps you will fall in love with those giraffes and enjoy the adventures of Old Man and Woody as much as I did. In 1938, the Great Depression is not yet a memory in the United States, and Hitler is becoming a major threat in Europe. I appreciate the opportunity to win a copy! } ), To enter the giveaway, just fill out this form below. Sharon's Book & Wine Club - May 2021 West with giraffes by Lynda Rutledge "A perfect balance between history and fiction Rutledge blends fictional characters with real historical personalities to create a story that is equal parts educational, quirky, and romantic." -POPSUGAR.com West with Giraffes is Austin writer Lynda Rutledge's second novel, preceded by Faith Bass Darling . Rutledge, Lynda. Oh, the writing! Even so, this is a novel; a work of historical fiction. Why or why not? 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. There is a part where a circus tries to steal the giraffes and the giraffes are panicking. My sister doesn't want to read it because she's worried about animal cruelty, so I'll write a little about that here. The 130-foot storm-ravaged cargo ship finally reached soggy and mangled Brooklyn on September 23. 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. Amazon First Reads is where you can choose from a short list once a month to get a book for free. West with Giraffes. I absolutely loved this book. What do you want shared about you were while you were here on earth? 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. 1st ed. 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. 1997. On the other side of the pond, Hitler was invading Eastern Europe, so the combined stress of world events and personal troubles were briefly assuaged by the sight of the traveling giraffes. Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. But when he learns giraffes are going extinct, he finds . 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. Sold! You can help us out by revising, improving and updating In the novel West with Giraffes, Woody Nickel, is a seventeen-year-old "dirt-farm rowdy, pure as a cow pie, cunning as a wild hog" bound to escape the Texas Panhandle (and any law enforcement that might be looking for him). He is full of talk and wit and fun when he is around, but when away he makes me wait for news day after day until I am nearly mad from worrying. The novel is divided into 16 chapters named after the place where the chapters events transpire and are intermingled with newspaper clippings, telegrams and postcards. Thank you again. What follows is a twelve-day road trip in a custom truck to become Southern California's first giraffes. Vol. What about animals pulls at your heart-strings? So I'll give a SPOILER WARNING HERE. West with Giraffes Quotes. There is a part where they come across a gas station with a "zoo" in the middle of nowhere in the desert, and the man who owns it is cruel to his "attractions"--a bear, a rattlesnake, a tiger (? West with Giraffes Summary. Smith spent a few days easing her into the crate while attempting not to spook her, and getting kicked in return. "It is a foolish man who thinks stories do not matterwhen in the end, they may be all that matter and all the forever we'll ever know.". "Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes". } display: inline; Youve got no control over it, none at all. page 105. West With Giraffes study guide contains a biography of Lynda Rutledge, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. ); . Just keep scrolling. -moz-box-shadow: none; Wanting more on the true story that inspired West with Giraffes?Click on this PHOTO for an unusual book review by a Zoo Historian. .figcaption {font-size: 75%;} They find it in two giraffes who miraculously survive a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic. Home. There are several viewable at Wisconsinhistory.org, such as this one of a woman on the running board of the truck feeding a giraffe in the crate and this one of the crates being loaded with a giraffe leaning out the window of one crate. She also had a vocabulary that she kept in reserve that the [former] circus men could understand. The keepers came to call her Boss. She let them know that she admired their work, and responded to her with both respect and affection. justify-content: center; Other than the female hurting her leg in the hurricane, they are uninjured. (Available in Hardback, Paperback, Audio, and Kindle E-Book) CLICK *HERE*to Sample or Buy on AMAZON THE 3rd ed. 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