The first comprehensive 'biography' of one of the first celebrity animals who gave us one of our favourite words. Jumbo, Victorian England's favourite elephant, was born in 1861 in French Sudan, imported to a Parisian zoo and later sold on to London, where - for seventeen years - he dutifully gave children rides and ate buns from their hands, all the while being tortured at night to keep him docile. Worldwide fame came when he was bought by the American showman and scam artist P.T. Barnum in 1881, despite letters from 100 ...
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The first comprehensive 'biography' of one of the first celebrity animals who gave us one of our favourite words. Jumbo, Victorian England's favourite elephant, was born in 1861 in French Sudan, imported to a Parisian zoo and later sold on to London, where - for seventeen years - he dutifully gave children rides and ate buns from their hands, all the while being tortured at night to keep him docile. Worldwide fame came when he was bought by the American showman and scam artist P.T. Barnum in 1881, despite letters from 100,000 British schoolchildren who wrote to Queen Victoria begging her to prevent the sale. Barnum went on to transform Jumbo into a lucrative circus act and one of the most loved animals of all time, establishing elephants as a regular feature of funhouses and menageries the world over. Using the heartwrenching story of Jumbo's celebrity life, tragic death in Canada in 1885, and his enduring cultural legacy, Jumbo is personal and fascinating reflection on our cultural elephantiasis by one of our most distinguished literary-critical detectives, which is guaranteed to amuse, stimulate, provoke and delight in equal measure.
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Seller's Description:
Very good in very good dust jacket. Some small tears to corners and/or surface of dust jacket, and/or small marks to closed edge, otherwise a new and unread book.
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Very good. All orders are dispatched within 1 working day from our UK warehouse. Established in 2004, we are dedicated to recycling unwanted books on behalf of a number of UK charities who benefit from added revenue through the sale of their books plus huge savings in waste disposal. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied.
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This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside. This book has soft covers. Clean from markings. In good all round condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item, 300grams, ISBN: 9781781312452.
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Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains.
Jumbo, the legendary African elephant, was a 19th-century superstar and his contribution to the English language bears testimony to his celebrity status. But Jumbo, who delighted thousands of children and adults at the Zoological Society in London (the London zoo) and later attracted the attention of thousands of people in America, was not always treated with the respect he deserved by those who were supposed to be looking after him and should have known better. He might well have led a happier life back home. This is really a sad tale of his life in Europe and America and of his tragic death in Canada.
The second part of the book, equally fascinating, deals with elephant-related facts and also tales of some other elephants who became stars for one reason or another.
All in all, this splendid book should provide its readers with plenty of insight into the world of elephants. I once spent a couple of days in their company at an elephant farm in Thailand - an unforgettable, enriching and thought-provoking experience - and can relate to many of the author's thoughts, comments and observations about these delightful animals.This book is more than a biography of Jumbo. It should make one reflect on one's own approach and attitude to animals, not just the elephant!
