Elephant Company: The Inspiring Story of an Unlikely Hero and the Animals Who Helped Him Save Lives in World War II

Vicki Croke's "Elephant Company" is a fabulous book that brings to life, J.H. William's deep and passionate relationship with the teak logging elephants of Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation, and his exceptional contribution to the war efforts. During lashing monsoons, jungles of Burma become inaccessible, and the swollen rivers turn treacherous. The author has painstakingly researched and chronicled the formidable living and working conditions of both humans and elephants alike in the inhospitable Chindwin River belt. Elephant Bill's selfless service and sacrifice earned him so much respect, that during the Japanese occupation, he was able to lead herds of elephants, and weak and infirm refugees, hundreds of miles to safety in India, through uncharted and hazardous hill tracts. Author Croke took me back to my logging stint half a century ago chronicled in my book "An Elephant Kissed My Window". Reviewed in India by M. Ravindran.

very good book, worth reading

Very entertaining and informative!

Good book, highly readable

Wonderful book. Loved the accompanying pictures of the elephants as well. Definitely a keeper!

A fabulous account. Not to be missed

EXCELLENT BOOK

This is a marvelous book on many levels. It is about the rewards of choosing a career you enjoy as opposed to all “the right” reasons – money, prestige, etc. It is about Elephants; if you didn’t have much interest or care for Elephants before, you will have a special place in your heart for these immense, strong, smart, social, kind, courageous, and memorable animals after reading this book. It is about the mixing of cultures – British and Burmese – and how British Colonialism, often criticized, proved to be of benefit to the local population. It is about the mysteries and miseries of the jungle and monsoon climate of faraway places. Of those Brits going to Burma to seek adventure, most found the loneliness, monotony, heat, Monsoons, mud, and lack of amenities unbearable and went back to England. And finally, it is about War – specifically the War in the Pacific in World War II and how the combination of courage and never-give-up character of “our greatest generation” achieved victory in Burma. While Elephants – their physiology, demeanor, and ability to be of immense use in the handling of two-ton teak logs – was a constant theme, the book weaves in the British character (how they maintained cleanly pressed clothes, well-cooked meals, and a sense of decorum in the hostile jungle climate is beyond me), and also love – of J.H. “Elephant Bill” for his wife, his workers, and his Elephants. The author did considerable research, much of that obtained from or in conversations with “Elephant Bill’s” son. This is a compelling, “page turner” story about a remarkable man who found his life’s passion, realized it, and made the most of it for himself and others. He learned as much from the Elephants and the Burmese people as they learned from him. Many of us wish for this kind of life – and honestly most of us are simply not cut out for it, but to live it vicariously through a book like this is an act of joy. I wish I would have read it when I was younger – but to have read it at all is satisfaction.

Una storia bella vera e da insegnamento per la vita da tanti punti di vista. E mi ha presentato Burmania!

new york times best sellerと表紙に書いてあって、自分の興味あるジャンルの本は、ハズレを 引いた事がない。 殊に今回は、ホームラン。それも、満塁ホームランクラスの満足感があった。動物が好きなひと、ペットを 飼っているひと全員に勧めたい。登場人物が象を観察して、人間的にも成長するだけではない。 ＜人生に大切なことは象から学んだ＞と、言い切っている様子が、手に取るように分かる。 もしも犬より遥かに大きな動物を ペットに持てるなら、象を飼ってみたい。しみじみ、そう思わされた。

Sehr schnell und gut

Great story! Love it because it is non-fiction...and it is about a time which I really knew nothing about, so the story is truly fascinating to me! I loved learning about that time in history, but especially about a man who becomes so inspired by an elephant and then elephants...his love was contagious and now I am reading all I can about Bandoola, the great elephant, and Bill Williams who loved these animals. GREAT book.