Elephants Books

I won't rehash the stories below other than to say that all the
animals with attitude mirror many of the people you meet in
life -- the self-important, the vain, the shallow, the overly
proud, etc.

makes for great lesson on how there are people out there that
are not always so nice -- like you!

this was an amazing story my children both love and it has become our favourite bedtime story...

This is the story of an elephant who travels the forest doing good deeds for the grumpiest, most ungrateful group of animals imagineable. Eventually the elephant needs help and it is the tiny ant (the only creature with integrity besides the elephant) and his ant friends who come to his aid. So the "little things and small creatures mean a lot" theme is nicely presented. Possibly the point of the other arrogant animals is to show that the elephant helps out regardless of the thanklessness of the jobs and maintains his own good attitude throughout (a very evolved elephant).

This book was published in 1972 which explains why the word "stupid" appears four times, as well as the phrase "Dad blame it" (which can sound like "god damn it" to little ears who have heard it said in anger already). Years ago, editors weren't always as careful as they are today. I admit I am a bit puritanical about this but I personally would rather not hear "stupid" out of a 5yr old's mouth; children's literature should model the richness and beauty of the language. While this book does contain many great vocabulary words, I would have liked a version with some creative substitutions [maybe there is an updated version; just be aware if you get this version what is here].

If I read this book in class or at home I will "edit" a bit as I go. I like the intended meanings, but I won't be uttering "stupid" in front of bunches of kids anytime soon.

In this remarkably readable book, Bill Peet captures such an important lesson of life through his straight-forward writing style and exceptional artwork. The story suggests that while one's physical size might not matter all that much, perhaps the size of one's heart does. And you can never be too small to help someone else. This is certainly a wonderful lesson for children of all ages- toddler or adult. This is the second book in what I hope to be a full shelf of Bill Peet books in my home one day. I encourage you to read it.

The creatures in the jungle are having a bad day. One after another, they are facing problems that they can't get out of. Then the elephant comes along and helps them all. But who will help him when he needs it?

This is a really a take on Aesop's classic story of the lion and the mouse with a few more creatures thrown in to show unthankfulness. Still, this is a great book that kids will love. The storyline is simple enough for them to follow easily, and Bill Peet's illustrations are outstanding.

With good stories and wonderful pictures, Bill Peet created some excellent picture books. Don't let this great author pass you by.

If you've ever owned an animal, you know what it's like to have expectations that don't match "reality"--there's what "the book" says about how your animal should behave, and then there's what it actually does. So it seems fitting that Schmaltz should use an animal--an elephant, to be precise--as a metaphor for a project, and then weave a lovely, poetic whole about the "behavior" of projects that contains more actual truths than other books with lots of charts, graphs and examples designed to make you an expert, of sorts, on the subject.

If you've never actually managed a project, this book might seem confusing to you. If you only manage projects that deal with "stuff" (construction projects, for example), the metaphors might not seem as apt. But if you manage projects that engineer large systems out of computer equipment and "thin air," then you will feel right at home with this meander through the shifting landscape of projects of this type.

In fact, you will be amazed that someone else has observed the same things you have--that these types of projects do not seem to be reliably predictable, no matter how much effort we put into making them "behave!" Schmaltz does what only a master can do: Identifies the patterns hidden within the unpredictability, and presents them in a way which evokes a sense of familiarity in the reader. I had many déjà vu, been-there-done-that, and wow-that-happened-to-someone-else-too experiences reading this book.

In so many ways, one of the great values of this book to me was simply in confirming my experiences. It's not me, I can finally say, and it's not even the projects, that lead to deviations from expectation. It's actually the nature of our expectations themselves regarding the inherent manageability of projects that is at issue. I need to get past the idea that there is a definitive "book" or "method" to go by, and get on with making projects actually work! Schmaltz' offering went a long way toward preparing me to do that.

The chapter on motivation ("Can a project leader fan the embers of commitment into a dedicated, high-performance flame?") alone made the book worth reading for me. I also very much appreciated his treatment of "generosity" in the interpretation of events ("The most generous possible interpretation transforms difference from definition into information.") Schmaltz' concepts have real-life applications; I will never look at projects in the same way again after reading this book.

I recommend a companion purchase: "Taming Wicked Projects," an audiobook by Amy Schwab, Schmaltz' business partner and wife. Schwab elaborates in this CD on many of the topics and metaphors presented in The Blind Men and the Elephant (so I suggest reading the book first), and extends and adds to them with her own considerable experience in the field. I do hope you get as much out of these works as I did.

This quick, well-written, and thought provoking book addresses the human dimension of project work too often lost behind GANTT charts, change controls, and scheduling tools. Schmaltz serves up uncomfortable realities about the world of project work. By confronting us with our Master/Slave frame of reference, he helps us understand how we unwittingly enslave ourselves to our Masters and how we can free ourselves with no one else's permission. Schmaltz reveals what great project managers have known forever about making their projects really work well -- clarity of purpose and strength of relationship are essential, and the responsibility and power to achieve those essential elements lie in each individual's hands. As he says in the preface, if you want a book to tell you what to do and how to make your projects turn out perfectly, take a pass. If you want a book with a bulleted list of how-to's, keep looking. If you are interested in shifting your perspective on your projects and learning how to approach them in a way that leaves you the master of your own experience, this book is for you.

This is a book you have to read, by this I mean it is both an important text that should be read and a book you can not dip-into or skim. You have to read it carefully to absorb the concepts that build upon each other to provide great insights into how projects actually work. The descriptions are rich and complex but because the book is small (under 130 pages) it never feels overwhelming and the topics are well covered but not repeated or over stated.

Recognition is growing around the fact that successful projects are more about people, collaboration and communications than creating plans and following processes. The success and growth of agile methodologies in software development is testimony to this shift in priorities and through this book, David Schmaltz explains why this is the case and offers suggestions for improving project outcomes.

The clever use of the "Blind Men" poem ties the main concepts of the book together in an engaging manner and provides an uncomfortably apt analogy for many of the classic project management struggles. This book provides valuable guidance for project managers and highlights the key areas to focus on to achieve better project outcomes.

I don't want to detract from what others got from reading this book. Judging from the other reviews, it was obviously well-received by many. However, I found this book to be almost incomprehensible and pointless. The author rambles around from meaningless subject to meaningless subject, all propped up by a cute but clever theme of blind men and an elephant. I finished the book and went off scratching my head as to what I'd learned. Perhaps I'm too left-brained. I loaned it to someone else and they brought the book back half-read and said they thought the author needed counseling.

Here's a new way to look at complex development work:

Your project is an invisible elephant. It's standing in a room, waiting to be revealed by a group of groping teammates.

Like the six blind men from Indostan in John Godfrey Saxe's famous poem, "The Blind Men and the Elephant," we encounter pieces of projects, rarely the whole elephant. We grasp whatever we can -- an ear, a tail, a trunk, a leg, a tusk, a broad, flat side.

Based on what we grasp -- our piece of the project -- we extrapolate an understanding of the whole: a fan, a rope, a snake, a tree, a spear, a wall.

Author David A. Schmaltz, in his book named after the poem, develops these analogies in terms of project experience.

We encounter a fan that brings us fresh air, a rope that binds us together, a snake that abuses our trust, a tree that evolves in structure above and beneath the surface, a spear that puts us on the defensive, a wall that challenges our personal progress. A chapter is devoted to each analogy.

This isn't a storybook, though. These simple metaphors are touchstones for Schmaltz's broad exploration of what makes projects meaningful. Schmaltz sheds light on the dark matter of project management -- the stuff that blocks us from succeeding on projects as individuals and as teams. He even leads us through the panicked self-talk that runs through a manager's head at the start of a project.

With rich writing that's rare in management books, Schmaltz gives us a 360 view of project management itself -- project management is this book's invisible elephant. The elephant emerges.

You won't find any worksheets, diagrams, flow charts, procedures, instructions, or textbook problems in this book. Schmaltz gives us something more valuable and memorable: fresh ways to think about how we approach and manage projects.

For example, managers should encourage each person to find a personal project within each project, something personally "juicy" to sustain interest and make the effort valuable. Going beyond the stated objectives of a project, each of us needs to ask ourselves, "What do you want?" -- and to keep asking that until our personal goals emerge. These goals don't compete with the team's purpose -- they bind us to the project's success. This is the process of what Schmaltz calls "finding your wall."

Just as managers should encourage this kind of buy-in rather than trying to externally motivate a team, managers should not impose a prefabricated structure onto a team. Schmaltz argues that when people find a personally juicy goal within a project, they will strive to structure their efforts in an efficient, organic manner -- without taking that twenty-volume project methodology off the shelf.

On a person-to-person level, Schmaltz asserts that despite the risk of getting cheated by snake-like deceivers, project members are most wise to interpret people's actions generously, assuming the best and freely offering trust and help. Using the results of a computer programming competition in which the Prisoner's Dilemma was solved by having the imprisoned conspirators refuse to implicate each other, Schmaltz shows that offering trust as a first principle can lead to bigger win-wins, more often.

Schmaltz consults through his firm, True North project guidance strategies, based in Walla Walla, Washington (see http://www.projectcommunity.com). He hosts the Heretic's Forum at http://pc.wiki.net, a Web space designed to "capture dangerously sane ideas." In addition to his periodic newsletter, Compass, he has published one previous book, This Isn't a Cookbook.

That invisible elephant, the powerful analogy at the center of this book, will enrich the way you approach new projects and reconsider problems -- especially the parts of problems that remain invisible to you on current projects. As Schmaltz wishes in a sort of benediction, "May this elephant emerge whenever you engage."

While this book can easily be dismissed upon quick perusal as childish and base, it's something that has held up for me over the years as an insightful and deeply thought-provoking book. It also remains pretty funny! It details in a way the transition from a comfortable childhood to troubled adulthood, from certainty and self-confidence to realizations of one's limitations. Even years after last reading it, many scenes remain crystal-clear in my head as icons of various emotions, feelings, and situations that we all occasionally find ourselves in. While very colloquial and brash, unashamedly honest, and certainly graphic, the book is actually very tender and meditative. Of many, many books read in the last 35 years or so, this one somehow stands out in the memory.

Dramatic irony only works when the author is at least aware of what the main character is missing. You have the strong impression that Mr. Gault doesn't realize all what he's showing about himself/the character. The golden boy actually related in a one on one friendship way to no one. He had to be the prince, the main show, anything less I'm sure would chase him away. When the world responded with a message that he wasn't so grand golden boy would go into a detailed explanation of what was wrong with the person/society. There is NO real coming to self awareness that amounts to movement in this book. Just under the surface of all the grand talk there is a hurting little guy. Most the sexual encounters are really pathetic, as are the failed attempts. I'm 56 and I can score better than that, sometimes. It's an interesting read as a textbook example of narcistic personality disorder. Whatever happened to Gault?

I was thinking of listing a tie on ebay that I had bought from a street vendor in the Village in the 80's. I have actually worn that tie, since girls did that sort of thing in the 80's! I also just remembered this book, and that I bought it from a handsome blond fellow, the author, who was selling in on the street. I read the whole book very quickly and enjoyed the entertaining main character and the author's humor and societal observations that came through. However, I read it almost 20 years ago so I am unable to give a more detailed review. As a female I also found it insightful into the behavior of some boys albeit it fiction.

It's impressive that Peter Gault not only self published but also promoted and sold his own book in that pre-online pre-print on demand age. I wonder what he's doing now?

I wrote the the original "Goldenrod --- Shoots and Scores!!!" review below back in 1997. For some reason my name was removed from the review. I recently came across this book recently and had to read it again. HAHA! I love this book. It's so raw and honest. I've let all of my friends read it and they all love it as much as I do. Still my favorite. If I could give it more stars I would.

This has to be my all time favorite book. I first read this book when I was at college, living away from home for the first time, and feeling carefree and invincible. This book encapsulates the narcasstic spirit of youth, and also how reality rears its ugly head.
The prose may be crude, but it is also intelligent and very funny- every sentence is a joy to read.
I have lent this book to virtually everyone I know and found women have enjoyed it just as much as men. In short BUY THIS BOOK!!!

Just as "the Six Men.." saw the many "sides" of the elephant, Bill Saxbe saw the many sides of the giant governmental process in the US. The essence of his broad experience in local, state and national politics and his unique insight into events which have shaped recent history of the nation have been captured in an interesting, often funny and well written presentation by Peter Franklin. Bill Saxbe is his own man and does not shy from controversy,dodge questions nor keep his opinion to himself. Franklin captured the real favor of Saxbe, his career and his private life in a way that acquaints the reader with the man and illuminates some historic events in a context not previously seen by the public. Saxbe's life has been unique and fast moving, Franklin's recounting of it maintains the same qualities.

I have to admit that in the early 90's I lived next door to Bill and Dolly Saxbe for a short time. During that period I got to know the Saxbes and enjoyed their company. Bill is exactly like the person whose life you read about in "I've Seen the Elephant". At a number of social events, I have heard Bill say to Dolly, "Come on Dolly, let's go to bed so these good folks can go home." Bill Saxbe is exactly the kind of person that you would want for a public servant with his common sense, his wit and charm and his love of family. His colorful career and his interesting life make good reading. Bill Saxbe is a man of influence who never forgot his roots and that is why even though he "Saw the Elephant" he is still Mechanicsburg's Favorite Son.

Mr.Saxbe and Mr.Franklin have explained the evolution of a politician {Mr. Saxbe}, While showing his inventiveness, strength, and hummaness in an informatable way.We have gotten to know one of our statesman of yesteryear. I loved the book and recommend it as required reading for political science classes, and for all Americans who have an interest in our complicated political system.

Bill Saxbe's new autobiography, written with expert assistance from Peter D. Franklin, is a lively and illuminating look at one man's long and fruitful political career. Both respected and feared for his outspoken views, Saxbe always said exactly what was on his mind regardless of political fallout. Among the many examples in this absorbing book are Saxbe's opinion, which proved to be prescient, of Spiro Agnew, selected by Richard Nixon as his vice-presidential nominee: "I told them I could think of thousands of Republicans who would be better." And his comment on White House stonewalling during Watergate: "They're like the piano player in the house of ill repute, claiming he doesn't know what's going on upstairs." On the war in Vietnam, which he opposed when few politicians dared: "It's like trying to push a truck up a hill with a towrope." On the subject of that tumultuous era, Saxbe reprints a poignant letter from his son, a Marine Corps officer headed for Vietnam, who tells him "Old soldiers never die -- just the young ones." While telling the story of his eventful career, Saxbe offers timely advice for today's politcos, including a cynical view of campaign contributions: "All those people who gave me money would then come in and tell me what to do." Fortunately for the nation, Bill Saxbe unfailingly listened to his own good judgement. My only criticism of the book is its length -- too short at 276 pages. I read it in two sittings and wanted more. Let's hope the colorful and courageous Mr. Saxbe will give us another volume -- perhaps this time focusing even more on those turbulent Vietnam/Watergate years when he was in the thick of it.

This book is about a man nutured and steeped in a by-gone rustic era, and ended up thrust into some of the most dramatic changes and events of the century. But it could have been, and perhaps should have been co-authored by someone else, and even better yet, written by another party as a biography, hopfully with access to Saxbe. There is little insight into the man William B. Saxbe or the events in his life.

The honesty of parts of the book is refreshing, Saxbe even alludes to marital infidelity of his father. Many might claim this goes too far, but I think it humanizes the work and the people it is about - except Saxbe seems to remain inwardly indifferent or distant from these matters, as he seems to do in any contraversy. Saxbe offers contradictions in character without notice, again distant and non-self critical - he left his church in Washington DC because the church accepted ' long haired radicals', as if Jesus Christ, the person he worshipped there ?, - was a short haired conservative and a member of the Roman Senate. As with many autobiographies, these contradictions breeze right through the subjects belief system filters - something the co-author SHOULD have noticed and pressed Saxbe on. I refuse to believe Saxbe is as shallow and unthinking as the book presents him.

Another contradiction somewhat glossed over in the book is presenting Saxbe as falling into opportunities by happenstance and coming from humble beginnings. On the pages of his own book he never seems to realize how relativly wealthly and connected his family was, especially during the Depression. The plumb jobs [ as any Depression era job might be ] and early political positions he received are presented as though it was some sort of luck of the draw happening - hardly believable. It is not evident whether this reality wasn't mentioned through ignorant bliss or was absent to maintain some sort of individualist boot strap persona of William B. Saxbe - but even his highest appointments latter in life have the same result - why me? The co-author should have went to third parties to better flesh these situations out. In any event you will gape at the opportunities miraculously afforded Saxbe during the Depression, and again few words of explanation how they actually came about. He went through more money in a spend thrift fashion during the Depression than many families would see in 5 years - you have to remember there were children starving to death and a 25% unenployment rate, yet he seems not to take notice or remember this. Again distant and no critcal self examination of the realities around him. He uses metaphor to explain why he is against the Vietnam War - it is " ... like trying to push a truck uphill with a towrope" and referring to the peace agreement "That pretty much wound up the war as far as I was concerned". The previous 2 thoughts are how the chapter about Vietnam begins and ends, in between are mentions of his Marine son's conflicts of conscience and Saxbe's drumming of non violent change - regarding Kent State, it was due to untrained Guardsmen with loaded weapons. But little introspective illumination of how Saxbe arrived at his thinking. Exacting "common sense" and metaphor are great around a cracker barrel, but tell the reader little about William B. Saxbe. Somewhere within Saxbe are well guarded thoughts and feelings which the co-auhtor was unwilling or unable to bring out.

All in all, the book is very readable, the opening scenes of Mechanicsburg refresh a by gone era, and although Saxbe may be a footnote in political history and offers few new insights, it is a worthwhile attempt - but because of this the co-author SHOULD have used a more critical red pen and pressed Saxbe for explanations or flesh the subject out himself through third parties. The book reads more like an old Bing Crosby/Bob Hope On The Road To .... movie than an autobiography that gets to the core of who this man was - which should not have happened with a credited co-author.

Unless you have a personal interest in the Columbus,Ohio area or Saxbe - you can skip this book on your reading list.

I must admit that reading the review I wrote before is quite funny. I thought that you, Kathy, being so "intelligent" would notice the date realize that I wrote that 3, almost 4 years ago. I was 11/12 when that was written and now I am 16 going to be 17. So I'm sorry but your attempt at a "Low Blow" has failed. Maybe three years from now you can critize this review.

I think it's hilarious that, in defending her father against Mr. Whitt's crticism of his poor grammar and spelling, Ms. Ross-Ryan uses words and grammar that are unrecognizable as English and do, indeed, make her father look like a literary genius. The apple really does not fall far from the tree.

I found this book to be nothing short of a gripping and devestating account of the dilemma facing captive elephants and their keepers. Ryan writes out of highly personal convinction and candor. The result is an intimate and revealing memoir I found difficult to put down. This is not a comprehensive guide to elephant captivity or training methods and should not be purchased as such. Instead, it should be read as one man's experience and eventual confrontation with a sad and pervasive mentality surrounding treatment of captive animals. Ryan succeeds in making us (those of us with compassion for our fellow animals) frustrated, horrified and desperate to believe in an alternative to violent methods of keeping elephants.

My hearty congratulations to the author for his courage. Essential reading for policy makers, animal keepers and those frequenting zoos. There must be a better way!

Daniel Ferguson
Montreal, Canada

First off I would like to say to Mr. Mark Witt, that reveiw was very harsh considering all the hard labor my Father went through to write this book! He deserves a A (insted of a B!) I'm sure that if u were to write a book it would not be perfect either! Anyways i belive this book is the cold hard truth about what these animals go through. I would definatly recomend this to people that are intersted in this area.

As an Animal Rights activist, I ordered this book with greatenthusiasm, thinking that I would get a lot of first hand informationabout how animals are trained and treated in the zoo and circus industries. My first impression of "Keepers of the Ark" was when I got the envelope in the mail and thought, "that's an awfully small book for ..[the price]." Especially for a paperback!

After reading the book I can honestly say that it was informative, enlightening, and even enjoyable. But I was also taken aback at how lousy the editing was! There were spelling errors, grammar errors, run on sentences, just like as if it was taken directly from someone's notebook with no editing what so ever. Considering that the author really lays into the management people above him while he worked in the WAP for not having any college degrees (while he did), it rings as being pretty hypocritical that the published work looks so bad from the grammar standpoint.

And the book really is too expensive for a 180+ page paperback.

The author gets B, and the publisher a D-.

I would suggest checking it out from the library instead of buying it.

My son needed a book for a school project. He choose this and found it an interesting read and very infomative. He is 12.

No one should dispute Leakey's dedication to the wildlife and people of his native Kenya. This book, however, is a rather dull account of the political intrigue and manouvering Leakey faced from 1989 to 1994 when he was involved with Kenya's various wildlife services. Those in the field may value his insights and perseverance, but the average reader may find his grandstanding and, at times, painstaking defensiveness a bit hard to stomach. I'd much rather read a book by those out in the field (such as rangers) who saw the elephants every day and who would have many a tale to tell about fighting off poachers and dealing with tourists and natives. Leave this book for the bureaucrats in world wildlife agencies.

Dr. Richard Leakey has authored a compelling account of his time at the helm of Kenya Wildlife Services. The book recounts the bush war against poaching, and contains a very vivid description of Kenyan political life. Sadly - and ironically - the success of Dr. Leakey's management of KWS created a long list of political adversaries that eventually forced Leaky to resign from the post.

There can be no doubt that Dr. Leakey has been the chief architect behind the saving of the African elephant from extinction by the hands of poachers. Dr. Leakey's work stands as one of the most important wildlife conservation achievements of all time. Finally, I believe Dr. Leakey is one of the - perhaps last? - great Kenyan patriots. This story inspires. If there were ever a Nobel Prize for bravery and commitment, surely it would be his.

Anyone who has ever been to Kenya's extraordinary game parks to see the elephants, or dreamed of doing so, will be fascinated by this story of how these parks came to be the refuges they are and not the corrals for government-sanctioned poaching that they were. When paleontologist Richard Leakey took over the Department of Wildlife and Conservation in 1989, rampant corruption, theft, absenteeism, and a don't-care attitude were hallmarks within the department.

The Kenyan government lacked a real commitment to conservation, and the burgeoning population exerted pressure on national park borders, clearing land for farming and threatening wildlife, unimpeded. Poaching, patronage, a general ripoff mentality, and collusion between park rangers, politicians, blackmarketeers, and smugglers, were so interconnected and seemingly so ineradicable that the department resembled a many-headed hydra. Tribal rivalries within Kenya, a porous border through which Somalian thieves made forays, and a lack of agreement between Kenya and neighboring African countries about the best way to conserve animals made this one of the most daunting management challenges imaginable.

In prose that is as direct and to the point (and sometimes as self-congratulatory) as he is, Leakey tells how he managed a multimilliondollar corporation in a country in which everyone wants a piece of the pie, usually under the table. As Leakey tells of cleaning up the department and conserving the elephants, the reader also learns about the economics of the ivory trade, the tug-of-war between immediate political realities and long-term goals, the role of the World Bank in African development, and the politicking involved in deciding what is an endangered species under the U.N.'s Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). It's a fascinating tale, equally intriguing to the lover of wildlife, the student of management, and the East African history buff. Mary Whipple

Anything with the names Richard Leakey and Virginia Morell on the cover is guaranteed to be a worthwhile read. Like his equally brilliant and famous father Louis, Richard Leakey is not without controversial opinion. Though generally in agreement with the authors, I found this book challenging some of my basic assumptions about conservation. To that end the book provides an excellent point of departure for classroom discussions on major conservation issues of the day such as community roles in conservation, the effectiveness of National Parks in protecting wildlife and biodiversity, and the interplay between international, national and local needs and strategies. The book is an exhilarating, easy read and will appeal to a broad range of ages and cultural backgrounds.

I think you should read this book because it is about a boy named Akimbo who lives in Africa. His mission is to save a lot of elephants. Akimbo travels 35 miles to prevent an entire herd of elephants from being shot solely for their ivory tusks. Ultimately, he rescues the elephants by tricking the poachers into the hands of the rangers. I personally think you should read this book because it is a fun and an easy to read book. It keeps you in suspense and gives you a sense of hope for our future.
by Virginia Pocket

Another great book in Alexander's delightful style. This one is a great book to have in the classroom in order to open dialogue on conservation, preservation and other related topics.

Although this book is described as being for the 4-8 year-old group, it seemed to me more like a 7-9 year-old book that might well appeal more to boys than to girls (based on having had two of each in our family).

I was attracted to the book by realizing that the various animal-related stories that Alexander McCall Smith includes in his No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books were among my favorite parts of those books. It occurred to me that the Akimbo books might have such stories in them.

Well, not quite . . . but the series is full of Akimbo learning about wild animals, the threats to animals from people, and deals with the problems through Akimbo's brave deeds. Children like to see themselves playing important roles in the world, and Akimbo and the Elephants is very good for appealing to that desire.

Akimbo's father works as a ranger at a game preserve in Africa where some near-by villagers have been killing elephants to take the tusks to sell to ivory carvers. Akimbo decides that he will put a stop to this practice, and his adventures provide for a good story that will keep your attention . . . even if you are well over the age of 9.

The book is nicely illustrated which adds to the realism of the story.

delightful; one problem: i didnt realize it was for children but nontheless i enjoyed it and would recommend it for children of all ages.

"Now, in his first books for children to be published in the U.S., he takes readers deep into the heart of Africa, where the grass grows taller than a man, and where lions and great elephants still roam. There, ten-year-old Akimbo lives with his father on the edge of a game reserve. Akimbo loves to join his father when he patrols the reserve because there is always something exciting to see. But when it comes to wild animals, excitement can also mean danger..." (description from publisher's website)

I didn't get a lot out of this book. Yes, it's humor makes for easier reading. I did make me think about a few things. The parable aspect of it just wasn't all that great for me. I am more of a straight forward sort and prefer writing like that of John C. Maxwell.

A simple but illuminating parable that takes the reader into a childlike state of wonderment that leads to learning some valuable lessons about creating and reaching worthwhile goals. Like Kandee G, Bud Bilanich, Laura Lewis, and Tony Beshara, this guy has a knack, in the realm of motivational books, for sensitizing the reader's mind before inserting real humor and practical advice that works.

One may be disarmed by the fantasy orientation of this book and its ability to stay out of "scenes from the boardroom." I found it refreshing and edifying. Open Your Mind!

The Ant and the Elephant lays out five simple steps that set you on a journey toward a better professional life and personal life. The parable of the ant and the elephant is interesting and inspiring. This relatively short book, at only 115 pages, is packed with life lessons that will make you appreciate the every day things and lead a more gracious life. It will transform your attitude and your overall state of being. I definitely recommend it to anyone that is looking for deeper meaning and satisfaction in their life.

Vince Poscente is an incredibly gifted speaker, and his wisdom shines through in The Ant and the Elephant. The story of Adir's journey to the oasis, and the helpful action steps and "Notes to Self" that are liberally sprinkled throughout this delightful story, can help any reader dream bigger dreams and think more clearly about how to overcome the barriers that stand between them and the realization of those dreams. I plan to highly recommend this book to the readers (all over the world) of my Spark Plug newsletter, and I highly recommend it to the readers of this review. -- Joe Tye, CEO of Values Coach America

The best thing I took away from this book is the idea that life actions are much more powerful and effective when they stem from beliefs that you 'have' things rather than from beliefs that you 'want' things. Reaching nirvana is all about believing you already have it. This book helped me figure out how to spend about 12 hours total over a few days in a heightened state of contented 'having'. It's only fair; the lessons do take commitment from the reader to achieve extended periods of contentedness. Mileage may vary. ;-) I know I can go back to the book and get there again; it's a pretty good roadmap.

The Tower of the Elephant continues the great tradition of Dark Horse's Conan relaunch which began in the last two volumes.
In this volume, Conan hits his stride as a professional thief and we are treated to three prequel chapters setting up the "Tower of the Elephant" short story from Conan creator Robert E. Howard, a story which solidifies Conan's reputation in criminal circles.
Minor flaws for this book are a dip in quality in the first part of Tower (chapter 4) where Cary obviously is falling behind and sketches his way through about 12 pages worth of story, and although it is always nice to see Mike Kaluta draw something, I would much prefer to see Mr. Nord draw the flashback sequence himself.
Still a fine book and worth your time.

Great adaptation of one of the greatest Conan stories ever. Dark Horse exceeds expectations with this collection of stories. Don't miss it.

The classic Conan story was only enhanced by the great artists working on this! Well done! CROM SMILES!

This could not be better! The drawings are fantastic! Storyline is very good, great characters. Brutally fantastic! You should have this in your comic collection, it will be worth to have it.

I have the first 3 in this series:
The Frost Giant's Daughter And Other Stories, The God In The Bowl And Other Stories and The Tower Of The Elephant And Other Stories.

I find the artwork to be superior to the "Chronicals of Conan", and there is always at least one original Howard tale included in these books. The "Other Stories" stand up very well to the Howard adventures. They are very much in the same spirit and style, and are fitting tributes.
So far all have been extremely enjoyable, and I plan to purchase the rest of them.
I only buy what I like (as opposed to collecting for its own sake), and I like this!!

Great for new readers and old Conan fans alike!

What makes William Steig tick?

Reading this book one can only wonder at the inner workings of a sublime and zany mind. Is he mad? At times he seems to barely skirt the edge of lunacy - an imagination such as this is anything but normal.

Do you want your kids to read this?

Absolutely - just make sure they buckle their seatbelts first.

Here's how it starts...

"Doctor Bernard De Soto was such a one-in-a-million, humdinger of a dentist that the whole world knew about him, and also about his wife, Deborah, who helped him work his wonders".

De Soto, it should be noted is a very refined and professional looking mouse. But why in the world is his wife's name Deborah?

Steig continues, "The two of them were listening to Caruso one evening when this cablegram arrived"...

Of all the things the DeSotos might be listening to, why Caruso? The author surely has a reason as each such unexpected choice contributes to the the book's bent and altered state of reality.

The cablegram contains an offer of ten thousand gold walulus as an incentive for Dr. D. and his wife D. to travel to Dabwan West Africa to deal with the giant toothache of a seriously suffering elephant. And so the action gets underway.

Along the way things take a dark and scary twist. "Around midnight, while his wife slept, Dr. Bernard De Soto was kidnapped. A hand covered his mouth, and he was hustled off in the clutches of a certain rhesus monkey, Honkitonk by name."

Why in the middle of the book is the by now well known protagonist referred to as "Doctor Bernard De Soto"? By now you get the idea...

In the end, however, all is well. The successful dental intervention liberates the pachyderm from pain and he and his wife dance a "frolicsome fandango".

Just amazing.

Though this book is very nicly written, the illustrations are freaky!!!!!
The monkey made my whole family scream in terror! I would not recommend this book for children under 7 years of age .

My children, ages 4 & 5, borrowed this book from our library, and immediately were entranced, asking me to read it over and over again.

William Steig's inimitable mouse creation, Doctor DeSoto, goes on a wonderful adventure in this wonderful book. Along with his able assistant and wife, Deborah, he travels via ocean liner to Africa to see about fixing the tooth of an ailing elephant. While there, the DeSotos get into all sorts of difficulties, all of which are vividly, colorfully illustrated by Steig.

Steig has a wonderful way with artwork, as those who love him already know, but he has an equally uncanny knack with narrative. Eschewing simple phrases and tiny words, he throws around plot and dialogue with great vim and vigor and his enthusiasm and childlike view of this mouse couple are infectious. Highly recommended!

I enjoyed this book in general but worried about the depiction of the Indian monkey with no morals. Was he supposed to model the stereotype many African peoples have of Indian immigrants to Africa? In several countries, Indians were blamed for a country's problems and driven out. Is William Steig predjudiced against Indians?