scottwilliamfoley.com

Narrated by 105-year-old Woody Nickel in a VA center, West With Giraffes details his unforgettable journey with the giraffes that were secured by San Diego Zoo director Belle Benchley. A hurricane nearly killed the African giraffes while crossing the ocean, and after arriving in New York City, they are momentarily put in quarantine. Once that ended, they then faced a perilous trek to the San Diego Zoo in California. Woody, a 17-year-old Dust Bowl orphan who recently arrived in New York City himself, finagles his way into driving the giraffes’ transport to the land of milk and honey. He is accompanied by an old man, the formidable Riley Jones, Benchley’s aide. All the while, they are tailed by aspiring photojournalist Augusta Lowe, a complicated young woman with mysteries of her own. Amidst the challenges of the Great Depression, America’s enchantment with the giraffes became a comforting diversion as they made their way across the country.

West With Giraffes is a well-written narrative that utilizes intrigue, guilt, desperation, and redemption. At its heart lie a pair of enchanting giraffes, and their presence documents a slice of history that is both inspiring and heartbreaking. Rutledge’s adept storytelling blurs the lines between fact and fiction, delivering a tale that reads like an authentic biography, even with names altered and events imagined. Woody, Riley, and Augusta (Red) are well rounded, engaging characters who will captivate your interest. Dare I say it, by story’s end you will love them so much that they make evoke a tear or two. I would say this is a great read for those who cherish stories of animals, American history, and the triumph of the human spirit. I hope you find it as enjoyable as I did.