Elephant Song

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For over two thousand years, man has hunted elephants for white gold but over the last decade they have become an endangered species, especially the African Elephant. What is happening that has dramatically changed the scenario? What is the difference between culling and slaughtering? Where are the markets and how is illicit ivory trade done? Wilbur Smith answers these questions and much more in his fantastic book, Elephant Song.

Dr. Daniel Armstrong, a world famous TV naturalist is in Zimbabwe’s Chiwewe National Park to film the culling of a herd of elephants, accidentally films the slaughtering of elephants. He also comes across the murder of the Park rangers including his childhood friend‘s entire family and the poaching by a powerful environment friendly company. In London, anthropologist and environmental activist Kelly Kinnear is protesting against the ruin that is about to befall the African continent while a powerful conglomerate is holding a shareholder’s meeting discuss on sharing the spoils and ruining the forests and the people. Despite mutual admiration for the other’s work, their paths differ. Will they be able to overcome their differences, mislead their killers and act together to help prevent the catastrophe?

Sweeping from the unforgiving heat of the African Sun to the palatial houses in Taiwan, from the pigmy people in African forests to the powerful conglomerates around the globe, Smith weaves a fascinating tale of greed, compassion, corruption and coups. Combining awesome realism with suspense and pace that would do a Porsche proud, Smith takes you into the beautiful, wild and magnificent continent of Africa which seems to be forever threatened by the destructive hand of man and the brave but unknown African people who rise up to the challenge every time.

Wilbur Smith was born in Central Africa and writes with a passion and knowledge that can be characterized as truly African. Educated in Michael House and Rhodes University, Smith became a full time writer in 1964 and has since written twenty six novels which have been translated in twenty six languages worldwide.

Elephant Song is an eye opener for most people whose knowledge of Africa is limited to TV channels or shows. Extremely visual in style, Wilbur Smith takes you on a tour of Africa, its politics, its people, its geography, its economy and most importantly its wild life and the magnificent African elephant whose song needs to be heard. After reading this book, you’ll never view a national park, a wild life activist or a nature channel in the same way again.

Copyright by Deepa Kandaswamy