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Babylon's Ark: The Incredible Wartime Rescue of the Baghdad Zoo Audiobook
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Publisher Description
When the Iraq war began, conservationist Lawrence Anthony could think of only one thing: the fate of the Baghdad Zoo, caught in the crossfire at the heart of the city. Once Anthony entered Iraq, he discovered that hostilities and uncontrolled looting had devastated the zoo and its animals. Working with members of the zoo staff and a few compassionate U.S. soldiers, Anthony defended the zoo, bartered for food on war-torn streets, and scoured bombed palaces for desperately needed supplies. Babylon’s Ark chronicles Anthony's hair-raising efforts to save a pride of Saddam's lions, close a deplorable black-market zoo, run ostriches through shoot-to-kill checkpoints, and rescue the dictator's personal herd of Thoroughbred Arabian horses.
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“In all cases of human hostility, animals get caught in the middle, often suffering horribly, and Anthony felt he had to do something. What follows is a truly remarkable book…as he, with the help of the American military, brought the Baghdad Zoo back from the brink…Woven through the narrative is Anthony’s obvious love of animals…lending a poignancy and immediacy to the story.”
— Booklist (starred review)
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“The rare Iraq war book that could conceivably be called uplifting.”
— Entertainment Weekly -
“[Anthony] should be lauded for his initiative, generosity, and doggedness in getting the zoo back on its feet with very little outside support.”
— San Francisco Chronicle -
“Anthony deserves tremendous credit for his fearlessness and perseverance in rescuing countless animals against all odds.”
— Explorers Journal -
“Terrific…A wartime story with a joyful ending.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review) -
“The author takes no position on the invasion. His goal is for his mission, so dramatically recounted with journalist Spence’s help, to set an example of conservation and respect for animal life.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Simon Vance’s capable narration communicates the great degree of risk and uncertainty of Anthony’s mission in a war zone where tensions were running high. Vance’s measured tempo and reflective, varied tone reflect the drama of the complex situation facing this dedicated conservationist, zoo employees, and US soldiers committed to helping the animals.”
— AudioFile -
A wartime story with a joyful ending.
— Kirkus starred review
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About the Authors
Lawrence Anthony (1950–2012) was an international conservationist, explorer, and adventurer. An acknowledged African wildlife expert, his personal focus was the African elephant. He was a member of the esteemed Explorers Club of New York as well as the National Council of the South African Association for the Advancement of Science. He has been featured in the media, including Reader’s Digest, Smithsonian, Africa Geographic, Men’s Journal, and more.
Graham Spence is the author of The Apocalypse Chase and coauthor, with Lawrence Anthony, of The Last Rhinos and Babylon’s Ark.
About Simon Vance
Simon Vance (a.k.a. Robert Whitfield) is an award-winning actor and narrator. He has earned more than fifty Earphones Awards and won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration thirteen times. He was named Booklist’s very first Voice of Choice in 2008 and has been named an AudioFile Golden Voice as well as an AudioFile Best Voice of 2009. He has narrated more than eight hundred audiobooks over almost thirty years, beginning when he was a radio newsreader for the BBC in London. He is also an actor who has appeared on both stage and television.