Non fiction book talk two

Love, Life and Elephants: An Africal Love Story by Dame Daphne Sheldrick is housed in the 599.67 S call number,  so it would take a librarian's knowledge to know it was there, in order to give it to customers.   This is another non fiction title that may have wide appeal,  far beyond the subject of "elephants" that the call number would have you  believe.

What strikes me first is the setting.    Daphne Sheldrick's family is originally from Scotland but first came to Africa in the 1820's.   When you first open the front pages, the reader will see a map of Kenya and then the Tsavo East National Park, so someone interested in learning about African  culture, landscape and personal events of someone living there will be interested in the book.  Sheldrick is known for hand rearing baby elephants, and developing formulas to allow her to save a wide variety of African species from death in a harsh climate.   Many photographs are also present, in black and white and color, to allow the reader to see the various people described in the book as well as many of the animals that play such a big role in the story.   Learning/experience is one of the large appeal factors, because you follow her story, written in the first person,  through her adventures.   She is a very descriptive writer and the passages are more dense and detailed,  so it would be a more in depth read that would take more careful reading.    I would consider the pace to be more on the slow, leisurely side.  She covers many years and a lot of information.    The story also includes the love story between the author and her husband,  who died young, and prompted her to start the David Sheldrick Wildlife trust.   People int rested in memoirs featuring an accomplished, remarkable woman who is able to face adversity and still succeed will also enjoy this work.

This is a prime example of a book that falls into a specific subject area but is so much more,  and requires a careful summary read through to help librarians be aware of the title to get it into our customers hands.  Many customers would like this, if they are drawn to it via book talk or its presentation on a display.