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. After reaching California, Woody steals a motorcycle and tries to follow Red back east. 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. Not affiliated with Harvard College. (It can be read with the Kindle app on any device. fnaf 6 ending speech fnaf 6 ending speech (No Ratings Yet) . It was fascinating to see my route through the eyes of someone traveling there nearly 100 years prior. west with giraffes ending explained. West With Giraffes study guide contains a biography of Lynda Rutledge, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. img.pf-button-img + .pf-button-text { The giraffe's eyes are located on both sides of the skull, giving them an all-round look from the height. 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). 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. This book sounds really interesting! 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. 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. West with Giraffes is an endearing, and also heart-rending piece of historical fiction. "Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes" Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. display: flex; align-items: center; The Great Depression lingers. So preciousIt reminded me of my days at the St Louis Zoo and Bill Ross the elephant man. What we called highways were barely tolerable for transporting people much less chauffeuring giraffes. I dont want this story to evaporate from my memory. "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.". Reflector Series .printfriendly.pf-alignright { text-decoration: none; While the cars and signs and lodgings have changed, there remains something special about a cross-country road trip. Wendy Eckart. 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. 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. } Benchley preferred to transport the giraffes by vehicle so that they could stop as deemed necessary to nourish and rest the animals. What secrets do animals hold? San Diego, CA: Zoological Society of San Diego. West with Giraffes. 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. Other than the female hurting her leg in the hurricane, they are uninjured. The accomplishment topped off what turned out to be a very successful year for the zoo. After loading the giraffes onto the truck, they headed to the U.S. Did you think it was believable or too farfetched? Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. They were finally able to leave quarantine on October 10, 1938. I love giraffes and I feel I would really enjoy this book. It sounds like a really interesting book! I enjoyed West with Giraffes too, and your review was a delight -- remembering the book once again. My sister passed it on to me and knew Id enjoy it. Baby Giraffes from Africa Reach San Diego Zoo. Los Angeles Times (October 27, 1938): 14. Early on when Woody says he has no story to Red she responds, Sure you do. 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. Of course, I knew your zoo history background already, so I was delighted to see your additions to this beautiful story. The writer is a master story-teller, a beautiful story about why stories are written and remembered. Smith stayed with the giraffes during their time in quarantine, sleeping beside their stalls, nursing the females injury, and getting to know these towering creatures of Gods pure Eden. After their quarantine was complete, it was time to load the giraffes into their custom-made, heavily padded 12 8 crates, which were large enough for the giraffes to lie down on piles of peat moss and straw. A treasure for sure. . 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. Thank you for this! Were you rooting for the couple to get together all along? Down on his luck and unsure of his future, Woody sees the Old Man tending to two giraffes who almost died in the hurricane. These giraffes, Boy and Girl, win the love and respect of Woody; the Old Man; and Red, a. ", "I was profoundly moved by West with Giraffes. Hurricane Sweeps Coast. New York Times (September 22, 1938): 1, 1618. Pages : 372 pages. If you want to skip over it, just skip to the horizontal line break. What a delightful story! West with Giraffes Summary. Guest Reviewer Rating: Four out of Five Stars. The Great Depression lingers. 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. https://zoohistories.com/2021/02/11/west-with-giraffes/. . This book was released on 2021-02 with total page 372 pages. But when he learns giraffes are going extinct, he finds himself recalling the unforgettable experience he cannot take to his grave.It's 1938.The Great Depression lingers. The story isnt even about that boat ride. It is clear from Belle Benchleys memoir that she had a wonderful relationship with many of her keepers, particularly Charley Smith. As soon as Smith had apprised Belle Benchley of the giraffes poor condition, Benchley contacted Dr. Charles Schroeder from the Bronx Zoo to assess her condition. Sorry. 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. The 130-foot storm-ravaged cargo ship finally reached soggy and mangled Brooklyn on September 23. San Diego, CA: Zoological Society of San Diego. He resolves to follow them to California. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make yourown. I can't stand reading about animal cruelty, but this book is overall a feel-good adventure story. She loses all of her photographs in the flood and her car is destroyed. (One is Industrial tractor pictured)." SUBJECTS; Animals: Clothing and dress: Hats: Suits (Clothing) Even so, this is a novel; a work of historical fiction. 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. . This is the only image available, a newspaper article offering a glimpse of the finished traveling rig, with a tarp over it. That's up to you." Woody learns that Red is pregnant, and that she lied about being a photographer for Life magazine. I rode Miss Jim when I little every summer and even in her cage to feed her a carrot. "Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes" sets the tone for the historical, adventurous, and powerful best-selling novel West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge. 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. Overview An emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America. As the truck finally reached the San Diego Zoo entrance on October 17, 1938, the nearly unthinkable had been accomplished. 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. font-weight: 600; What senses transport you to another time and place? Rutledge, Lynda. border: 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. An utterly beautiful novel.".. While waiting for the giraffe rig to begin its journey, Woody meets Red and falls in love with her at first sight. The story is set around a truly extraordinary real life occurrence that took place in 1938. Feel free to leave a comment! They also turned a profit for the first time in the zoos 22-year history. What follows is a twelve-day road trip in a custom truck to become Southern California's first giraffes. justify-content: center; How do you think zoos are important and when are they not? Rutledge didnt include photos of the actual trip with her novel, perhaps due to the expense of copyrights, perhaps because she wanted to keep it as Woodys story. . oh, those sky-high eyes of theirs. Everybodys got one. page 96. Youve got no control over it, none at all. page 105. 1947. Residential LED Lighting. "An emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America. One of the aspects of the novel I enjoyed the most was the depiction of Belle Benchleysweet but tough, and highly respected. Traveling shows displayed them as early as 1837; however, they were difficult to capture and transport, making them expensive to procure. Others view zoos as limiting the natural inclinations and wanderings of animals, treating them as property and keeping them from their native lands. west with giraffes ending explained west with giraffes ending explained. Her fictional account follows the giraffe truck across the Lee Highway and illustrates the scenes of America in 1938. "Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes". THIS above was the one I described in, Value of such a historical novel for perspective of current hard times, The Dust Bowl and other ecological issues then/now and our part in them, Human's relationships with and obligation to animals (and other humans), Endangered/extinct species--why it matters: Old Man's sky-blanketing passenger pigeons (pp. 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. It has a happy ending. Official Guide Book of the San Diego Zoo. My sister doesn't want to read it because she's worried about animal cruelty, so I'll write a little about that here. 2021. Woody, havent you ever wanted something so bad you had to do it or die trying? page 156. That the animals survived at all was, as the headline rather politely insists, miraculous. But I would call this book a historical adventure with several parts that will keep your heart racing. ), To enter the giveaway, just fill out this form below. And it is through the construct of historical fact and modern-day fiction that this remarkable story which captivated a nation before fading away into almost a forgotten legend is made tangible for todays reader. Thank you for sharing it the magic of googling. ", "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. It's gripping, moving, and so incredibly touching. 2016. But when she was angry she made Mount Vesuvius seem considerably less dangerous. Disheartened, Red buys a ticket back east in Phoenix to be reunited with her husband Lionel. Volume 1: The Founding Era, 19161953. everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of West With Giraffes. Animal Quarantine Station in Athenia, New Jersey, for a federally mandated fifteen-day quarantine. .figcaption {font-size: 75%;} 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. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. Oh, the writing! 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. What follows is a twelve-day road trip in a custom truck to deliver Southern California's first giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. He grabs a rabbit and drops it onto the cage of the tiger, who eats it right away. } They find it in two giraffes who miraculously survive a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic. They find it in two giraffes who miraculously survive a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic. Woody is highly motivated to get to California. The story is told by a man living his last days in a nursing home as he writes his story. How can you share your story and with whom? .printfriendly a, .printfriendly a:link, .printfriendly a:visited, .printfriendly a:hover, .printfriendly a:active { I seldom read books more than once, but this one I will return to again in the future! They find it in two giraffes who miraculously survive a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic. An emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America. I loved this book! It is as efficient in conveying all the necessary facts of the incident as the incident is seemingly absurd. Spies, Wars, Winners and Losers, It's All So Intriguing To Me! I will draw a winner for the giveaway on March 19th at 9:00 AM ET and notify the winner by email. The tone is so well-crafted, the dialog so realistic. In 1938, the Great Depression is not yet a memory in the United States, and Hitler is becoming a major threat in Europe. Kindle Edition. Images of America Series. Now. 219 Reviews. 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. One question I have, since way back in the early sixties I was licked on the nose by a giraffe at the San Diego Zoo. It's not at all what I pictured, but it's cool to see! As I looked for more historical information, I found your page. Guest Review by Julie Hilton. giraffe, (genus Giraffa), any of four species in the genus Giraffa of long-necked cud-chewing hoofed mammals of Africa, with long legs and a coat pattern of irregular brown patches on a light background. I'm like your sister. I loved the giraffes, the characters, the story, the writing. But by 1925 there were reportedly only five giraffes in the entire country. "Woodrow Wilson Nickel died in the year 2025, on a usual day, in the unusual way, at the rather unusual age of 105. The author added a bit of suspense that could have been more well-thought out and sure, a 105-year old man couldnt have reasonably written, let alone recalled, the events in the novel. Lake Union Publishing, 371 pages, $14.95. color: #3AAA11 !important; vertical-align: middle; The circus people aren't being gentle, and wrangle the female with a rope, but she is uninjured when all is said and done. I Loved this book, and hated to see it come to an end. . . By: Lynda Rutledge. I will start by saying that the second I finished this book, I moved it into the Top 3 books I've ever read. padding: 0; 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. Local Woman Names Newly Arrived Giraffes. Escondido (CA) Times-Advocate (October 28, 1938): 6. Sherr, Lynn. What follows is a twelve-day road trip in a custom truck to become Southern California's first giraffes. Just keep scrolling. I have driven across the United States several times including from New England to San Diego. There is no real bluffing and nothing underhanded between Charley Smith and me nor is there between any of us; we are all working for one end, here in the Zoo, though perhaps by different methods. 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. Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. I'll stop here, because I don't want to give anything away. They were given names Lofty and Patches, the winning entries in a naming contest. What do you want shared about you were while you were here on earth? 2021. As Riley tells Woody, animals know the secret to life. page 79. and later watching the murmuration of the birds beside the road, the 105-year old Woody writes, For two full hours, my sideview mirror was brimming with both birds and giraffes, framing it all like a picture, the giraffes long necks swaying along with the billowing birds, and each glance surprised me with what I can only describe as a jolt of joy. page 237. GradeSaver, 11 February 2022 Web. . Just as Romeo and Juliet are born to rival families, Tony and Maria are associated with rival gangs. Kraft, Joy W. 2010. 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. Two giraffes miraculously survive a dangerous Atlantic . What follows is a twelve-day road trip in a custom truck to deliver Southern Californias first giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. Watching the video is absolutely stunning. A newborn giraffe is about 6 feet (1.9 meters) tall at birth and weighs about 150 pounds (68 kilograms). West with Giraffes. But Charley Smith couldnt start the journey to San Diego just yet. Part 3: War Years, 19371946. ZOONOOZ, March 2016. https://issuu.com/sdzglobal/docs/march_zn. According to Benchley, Our relations as Boss and Man-Friday are ludicrously funny, and when he thinks he is working for me I am overjoyed. Giraffes are animals that have long legs, but their body is small in comparison. They gained an evolutionary trait so they could survive. This is the only image available, a newspaper article offering a glimpse of the finished traveling rig, with a tarp over it. she was such a sweet grandmotherly type. And even those ships do everything possible to stay away from the hurricanes of the Caribbean. An emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America. But when he learns giraffes are going extinct, he finds himself recalling the . Hooray Lynda Rutledge. I refuse to give out any spoilers about the novel, but I encourage you to pick it up. and ocean . Im so glad you enjoyed it! It pumps 16 gallons a minute. 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