West with Giraffes Audiobook By Lynda Rutledge cover art

West with Giraffes

A Novel

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West with Giraffes

By: Lynda Rutledge
Narrated by: Danny Campbell
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An emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America.

“Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes…”

Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. 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. Hitler is threatening Europe, and world-weary Americans long for wonder. They find it in two giraffes who miraculously survive a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic. What follows is a twelve-day road trip in a custom truck to deliver Southern California’s first giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. Behind the wheel is the young Dust Bowl rowdy Woodrow. 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.

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.

©2021 Lynda Rutledge (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.
Coming of Age Friendship Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Heartfelt Feel-Good

Critic reviews

“A delightful read.”The New York Times Book Review

“Every year I find at least one book that soars above all the others. This year West With Giraffes is that book.”Florida Times Union

“[A] larger-than-life story about the power of both animal magnetism and human connection…witty, charming, and heartwarming.”Booklist

Heartwarming Adventure • Vivid Historical Setting • Perfect Voice Match • Compelling Character Development
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My high school classmate recommended this story because she knew I loved giraffes. I loved it. Made me cry at the end. Now, I will pass it on to another classmate who stayed at the Giraffe Manor in Kenya…a destination on my bucket list.

West with Giraffes

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Can’t remember when I have so throughly enjoyed a book. Definitely a must read for the history of our country during the depression era. Terrific!

Outstanding

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I liked everything about this book, but especially the fact that it was based on a true story that starts with the 1938 hurricane that destroyed a house that was on Long Island property that some of my family now own

Beautiful story

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Although I wasn’t drawn into story immediately, it became intriguing and hard to put down at times. I learned some new information about the dust bowl that I didn’t know before.

Interesting and unusual story.

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Such an interesting story. The San Diego Zoo is such a magical place and this book is about how the first giraffes came to be there,

Giraffes in America

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history, action, pathos and love all in one book. well worth a read. read it.

great book a surprising story

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I thought this was going to be kind of a dumb book to listen to but it was recommended to me by someone who reads a lot so I gave it a try. I LOVED it. A little of everything. A little excitement, a mild romance, animal rights and human behaviors. The narrator was just right. I’m guessing the audio was way better than reading it!! What a prize—-don’t miss it.

Best book all year long

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I adored this enchanting, unique and vibrant story. While at first I didn’t know if I could handle the narrator’s voice, there’s absolutely no one else I believe who could have pulled it off. He made it move! Also, Lynda’s narrative made me laugh and cry numerous times. I looked up the events in history. I was engrossed. And when it ended, I pined for the protagonist and his giraffe. I hope to re-listen to this again one day soon. It lifted up my spirits- such as it is when you find family and love.

Beautiful, unique and captivating epic story

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Lively and lovely story of America at its best and worst. change is a good thing.

Historic fiction

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I absolutely loved this story ! From beginning to end. Loved,loved, loved loved it !

To love a wild animal.

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