Beasts in My Belfry (Nonpareil Books, 116) - Softcover

Durrell, Gerald

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1567925847 ISBN 13: 9781567925845

Publisher: David R. Godine Publisher Inc, 2016

Synopsis

From the time they lived on the island of Corfu, Gerald Durrell's family hoped he'd outgrow his love of animals. Instead he became a zoologist and worldwide conservation hero.

In 1945, young zoologist, Gerald Durrell, finally came to work at his first actual zoo; Whipsnade Zoo--then a new concept in open-range animal exhibits--where Durrell joined in as a student keeper with Albert the lion, Babs the polar bear, and a baby deer among his first charges.

In this entertaining history, he recaptures all the passion that permeated those early years, while conveying his insight into and affection for four-footed creatures. The book is full of larger-than-life animal characters: the bear who sang operatic arias with one paw clasped to his breast, his bosom friend Billy the goat, playful zebras, and a host of equally endearing and memorable critters. This is Durrell at his best.

Fans of the PBS Masterpiece series, The Durrells in Corfu, know Gerald Durrell as a young boy with endless curiosity about animals. This is where that interest led. Durrell's great life work, the Wildlife Preservation Trust International, was still ahead in his future. Beasts in My Belfry is a wonderfully entertaining memoir for anyone who loves animals and a life lived with great purpose.

About this title

About the Author

Gerald Durrell was a naturalist and author of memoirs based on his life with -- and love for -- animals. He founded the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Durrell Wildlife Park on the isle of Jersey.

From the Back Cover

From the age of two, Gerald Durrell was fascinated by zoology, over the years assembling a large, and not altogether savory, collection of pets, strays, and specimens. As his unofficial zoo grew, so did his family's discomfort. The solution was to find another, more permanent outlet for his passion. So in 1945 he joined Whipsnadea new concept in open-range animal exhibitsas a student keeper, with Albert the lion, Babs the polar bear, and a baby Pre David's deer among his first charges. In this entertaining history, he recaptures all the passion that permeated those early years, while conveying his insight into and affection for both four- and two-footed creatures. This is Durrell at his zoophilic best.

Edition details

• Publisher: David R. Godine Publisher Inc
• Publication date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1567925847
• ISBN 13: 9781567925845
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 216