West with Giraffes: A Novel
$0.99
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.
Marc C. –
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Beautiful, Heartfelt Journey Through History
West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge is a mesmerizing blend of historical fiction, adventure, and heartfelt storytelling. Inspired by true events, it follows a young man’s incredible cross-country journey in 1938 to transport two giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. The novel is filled with rich historical detail, unforgettable characters, and deep emotional moments. It’s a story of resilience, hope, and the unexpected connections that shape our lives. A must-read for historical fiction lovers and anyone who enjoys a beautifully written, moving tale!
Billy Bowlegs –
What a Story!
In 1938, New York was hit by a rare hurricane of the size that wasn’t seen again until Hurricane Sandy not long ago. But in 1938 weather forecasting was almost non-existent and it took the city by surprise. Also taken by surprise was a ship entering the harbor with two massive crates on deck, crates too large to fit in the hold, crates that each held a young giraffe. Miraculously, the giraffes survived even as their crates were partially shattered and one received a severe leg wound. The giraffes were to be trucked across America to the San Diego Zoo, at a time long before any Interstate system was even dreamed of and when highways were relatively primitive and road trips were still an adventure. It was also a time when giraffes were a rare sight outside of Africa and little was even known about how to raise and care for them in captivity. After a time of quarantine, followed by a 2-week journey across the continent on a makeshift rig built on the bed of a flatbed truck, the giraffes were delivered to San Diego, one of the most progressive zoos in the world at the time, and directed by a woman, Belle Benchley, though she was not given the title until shortly before her retirement in 1953 because, who ever heard of a woman zoo director? Those are the historical facts. This book is a novel expanding on those facts and what an enjoyable story it is. It starts out in the year 2025 with a healthcare worker at a long-term Veterans Administration elderly care center gathering up the possessions of a recently deceased man. Woodrow Wilson Nickel had lived to the ripe old age of 105, a century and a nickel. In his belongings was a porcelain giraffe from the San Diego Zoo’s gift shop and stack of notebooks and though the notebooks should be considered private, the first lines of the first notebook caught her eye. “Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes . . .” With those lines, she was ensnared and continued to read. And, if you read this book, you will be reading what she read. From the author’s nickname, Woody Nickel, you can guess that while this book is a dramatic story, there is also a touch of whimsy as well. Woody was a young boy living in the Texas panhandle during the Dust Bowl years and watched as the “dust pneumonia” slowly took the lives of his neighbors and his family. As an orphan, he bummed his way to New York to find the only relative that he knew, a cousin working on the docks, but he arrived only a month before the hurricane which also killed his cousin. And yet, as the wind died down and the rain stopped, he was fascinated to see two smashed crates being unloaded which contained the most majestic animal he had ever seen. When he heard that they were going to be taken to California, he knew that he had to follow. Author Lynda Rutledge has crafted a road trip like nothing you have ever imagined. There are dangers around every turn from the winding roads with steep dropoffs across the Shenandoah mountains, the crossing of the Mississippe on a plank “add-on” to a railroad bridge, long stretches across the desert, run-ins with sleazy circus directors who try to “kidnap” the giraffes, and more. There is a bit of romance thrown in with a young woman, Augusta Red, following them in a Packard, trying to get photos to sell to “Life” magazine. And there is the crusty “Old Man” who is tasked with delivering the giraffes. Is this how the journey really happened? I’m sure it is not. It is fictionalized and much is placed in there to make it a good story. And yet, that trip must have truly been an adventure back in 1938, with the Dust Bowl weather system still in force, with the rudimentary roads, with the lack of services for travelers, and with two animals on the back of a truck who are not going to just stand still, who need to be fed and watered, who have very long necks that had to stick out of the top for air. But what this book provides is just a really good story with the ring of truth and where at least the outline is true. It would be hard not to enjoy this book.
Kelyn –
fun read
A historical fiction book that isn’t about a war!Interesting story, well researched, fun characters, a great read as someone from San Diego.
sandybeach –
Excellent book on many levels
Authentic historical facts. Based on a true story. Coming of age story. Engaging characters. Love. Fascinating animals. Heartbreak. This book has a little of everything.
George Charles Pajunen –
Two giraffes, a boy, a girl, and love affair.
Great and great writerIt”s exciting adventure and takes place as Hitlez anr is making his move in Europe. Little of everything for everyone.
Cagney C –
Interesting story very well told
Interesting story based on real events.This book really held my attention. The history of the San Diego zoo, descriptions of the country and some of the 1930s and 1940s American history are really informative. For those too young to remember some of the things back then, the back pages are a reference as well as a reminder for those of us who were around for at least some of it.
Katie Foster –
In the Top 3 Books I’ve Ever Read
This was kind of tough for me, because the books I read typically don’t have animals in them. When I saw the list of Amazon’s First Reads, I read through the list books for that month and just could’t decide… honestly, NONE of them looked good to me. I eventually just chose the one called ‘West With Giraffes’, by Lynda Rutledge.Imagine my surprise, then, when I read the very first sentence of the prologue and I was hooked immediately. I loved the poetic, whimsical play with the words. (If you’re not into that, don’t worry–it’s really only in the prologue.)”Woodrow Wilson Nickel died in the year 2025, on a usual day, in the unusual way, at the rather unusual age of 105.A century and a nickel.”I will start by saying that the second I finished this book, I moved it into the Top 3 books I’ve ever read. THAT’S how good it is! I have to say, though, that no matter what I write on this post, it won’t do justice to this book. You need to read it yourself!The publisher’s description kind of lost me because of the historical references–I’m NOT a history buff and I was afraid I’d be bored reading it. But I would call this book a historical adventure with several parts that will keep your heart racing.The story is told by a man living his last days in a nursing home as he writes his story. It reminded me of The Green Mile (movie) where Tom Hanks’ character is ridiculously old and he tells the whole story of The Green Mile to a woman at the nursing home where he lives.No spoilers here…Woody Wilson is a 17-year old boy from the Texas Panhandle in the 1930’s. His parents and baby sister died in the Dust Bowl and Woody makes his way to New York City to find his only known/living relative, Cuz. He has no money, no possessions, and no real direction for his life.In 1938, there was a terrible hurricane that caused massive destruction to New York. Woody happens to be standing nearby when a cargo ship that had two giraffes aboard (who were bound for the San Diego Zoo), arrives at shore after disastrous damage to the ship. One of the giraffes is hurt and the cage is crushed around her. A man from the zoo shows up to drive the giraffes across the country to the zoo, and that’s where the whole adventure begins.Woody has heard all about “Californy” and his dream is to go there and start a new glamorous life. He plots to try to follow the giraffes to California, which proves more difficult than he hoped. But he doesn’t give up.I’ll stop here, because I don’t want to give anything away. But this book is VERY adventurous and kept me on my toes the entire time.I am not a history buff and reading about history bores me, but there are some interesting factual events in this book (like the Dust Bowl in Texas and the New England Hurricane). Forrest Gump is my very favorite movie, and the best part about it is how he manages to be in the center of all sorts of historical events. This book kind of reminded me of that.This book is AMAZING and it’s one of those books that you just can’t forget. It really sticks with you. I would recommend this book to pretty much anyone–from about 12 years old and up, whether you’re an “animal person” or not, or interested in history or not. I especially think that teen boys would really like it. I even bought a copy for my 70-year old dad, knowing he would be into it. I’m going to try to convince my kids to read it–they don’t like to take suggestions from their mom, because I’m so uncool 😉
kmk –
Great Read
Historical fiction based on a true story about the transportation of 2 Giraffes from New York to the San Diego Zoo who would be the first of their kind to be on display. Beyond that there are relationships being built along the way and a few “hold your breath” moments too. Expect to learn things you never knew about Giraffes. A Heartwarming Fun adventure!
Crazygoangirl –
A fantastic tale based on an actual event – two giraffes survive a hurricane and embark on a road trip across the United States from “one ocean to another”! Under the care of head keeper for the San Diego Zoo – Mr. Riley Jones, driver – Woody Nickel and aspiring photographer Augusta Red – both animals and humans learn about trust, loyalty and sacrifice forming a lifelong bond of love and friendship.This was a wonderfully written story. Rutledge managed to hook me from the start, with a unique subject and by her fabulous reimagining of what a road trip with giraffes would entail. But this book also offers salient commentary of the times that this journey took place – 1938, just before the beginning of WWII. The racism and sexism that was almost universal; extreme poverty as the country struggled with the consequences of the Great Depression; the westward migration of people burdened by brutal poverty and suffering. All of these Rutledge weaves effortlessly into the narrative creating an atmospheric backdrop for this magical tale!It gave me all the feels and I would highly recommend it to fans of historical fiction adventure stories; fans of road trips but most importantly to lovers of giraffes – those gentle giants that are Magic!
Mrs. Faye Dutkiewicz –
I started on this book because of my love of animals. I didn’t know much Giraffes, but had always admired their beautiful gracefulness. I believe I saw a live Giraffe at the Calgary Zoo in the early sixties. This story is like life itself, guilt, occurrences beyond our control, friendship, love, awe & adventure!! Very well told story. I recommend it to all to experience as I have a look at real people & this interaction with animals that teach us things we will never learn elsewhere. Thank you Amazon, Prime & Kindle for the opportunity to read this book.
david canford –
A fabulous book inspired by a real event: two giraffes who are driven from New York to San Diego Zoo in 1938 after arriving from Africa. The writing is superb and often gripping.The author adds imagined characters, the two main ones being a young ‘Okie’ who has a ‘dust bowl’ back story and a female photographer. Apparently, the en route adventures are also imagined.The other main character, who is based on a real person, reminds the reader that animals don’t have the hatred and evil in them that we humans can have, and that they are so often better than we are.A wonderful book that will stay with me a long time.
David T –
This is a great story, cleverly told that will grip you from the opening line to the final paragraphs. The careful attention to the time frame makes it a fascinating discovery of early 20th century history though some modern political correctness is clearly guiding the author. Overall, a satisfying tale that you won’t want to end!
Doris –
Wunderschön, spannend und poetisch