Babylon's Ark

A highly detailed and entertaining account of how to make the impossible possible with pure determination and effort. A powerful message delivered in simple words.

Excellent book , a must for all animal lovers,simple engaging language ,even kids of ages 12 and above who are fond of animals will love to read it

This book was beautifully written and has touched my heart and soul. I want to share this book with my family and friends. We all need to take responsibility to make our world a better place for ALL living things. Thank you Lawrence!

Great book. Wars are a given between humans (we are so stupid) but animals should never suffer because of our stupidity. This book tells the story of the devastating consequences the Irak war brought on to the innocent animals left to die at the zoo. But this story applies to all conflicts because it is a given that in all cases the animals ( pets, farm, wild) are always left behind and ignored. When is humanity going to understand that when we talk of life on this planet it is not only the human life that should be considered. Life includes animals land and marine, nature again land and marine. We are killing what feeds and sustains us. Like I said WE HUMANS ARE SO STUPID! We are on target (one that we will not miss) to our obliteration!

I'm not much of a nonfiction reader, but after hearing about Lawrence Anthony's book on the CBS Sunday Morning News I had to have it. Ever slowed down the car to let a squirrel or goose get out of your way? Ever caught a small bird or mouse in your garage and taken it outside to set free? Although your animal-loving efforts are certainly appreciated, you will never believe the conflicts Anthony faced to save the Baghdad zoo. Arriving on the cusp of the war, Anthony discovers most of the animals have died of starvation or been stolen by looters. With only 36 animals left, guns firing in the distance, food and supplies stolen, and only a handful of people for a staff, Anthony questions whether he should shoot the animals to end their misery or do what he came to Iraq to do. Save the zoo! As an outsider, Anthony paints an amazing picture of a war-torn country, surrounded by American troops, but his focus stays on the animals. The story he tells of the animals that have survived, either because they have sharp claws or teeth (or both) and could defend themselves, is just haunting. His struggles to provide food, water, and safety are a never ending battle. It was also good to read how many American soldiers helped provide aide. Some soldier's bought an entire flock of sheep with their own money for Anthony to use as food for the carnivores. Lawrence was also responsible for setting up an Iraqi SPCA which closed down a black market zoo and rescued tons of animals that were in even worse conditions. They also went in search of Saddam's million-dollar Arabian horses after they came up missing from Saddam's palace, and they rescued a pack of lions from Uday Hussein's abandoned palace. The stories and struggles are never ending, but Lawrence's determination will definitely inspire you. So far, this is the best book I've read all year! I doubt any other book of such strength and will could ever come close! Animal lover or not, don't miss out on this story. It's a different side of the war that television and news deprives us of!

A very good enjoyable and interesting read, people risking their lives for the love of animals, quite right to.

Já havia lido os outros dois livros do Anthony, sobre os elefantes em Tula-Tula e sobre o resgate de rinocerontes. Por isso tinha vontade de ler este sobre o resgate dos animais do Zoo de Bagdá durante a Guerra do Golfo. No mesmo estilo dos outros dois Anthony e Spence descrevem as dificuldades para o resgate dos animais em meio a uma zona de guerra. O livro é triste em alguns momentos, pois a situação no meio da guerra trás o pior do ser humano, mas também mostra a dedicação de algumas pessoas para ajudar a salvar os animais que restaram. Para quem gosta de animais recomendo todos os três livros de Lawrence Anthony que, infelizmente, nos deixou antes da hora.