An Elephant's Life: An Intimate Portrait from Africa Hardcover – November 22, 2011

I highly recommend this book. It's a quick overview of some of the work that Ms. O'Connell and her colleagues are doing in Etosha National Park in Namibia. She's been working there for something like 20 years and has made significant contributions to the study of elephant communication. This book is more of an overview of the stages of elephant life. It's beautifully illustrated with photographs taken during the course of her work at Etosha and the photographs specifically illustrate some of the behaviors that are described in the book. I especially appreciated her insight into the lives of bull elephants, which aren't as well understood as the family lives of elephants. She is able to paint a rich picture of their lives and contributes to our understanding of the depth and sensitivity of these amazing beings. Great stuff and I'm grateful that a book like this is available.

Most of us cannot even begin to imagine the depth of the family interactions that are part of an elephant's life in the wild. Yet O'Connell and Rodwell have given us these phenomenally high quality photos that capture the most personal moments of these elephants' lives. Not only is this is an entire book of photos that are so rich they are each suitable for framing, but these photos capture this family of elephants in ways that, I swear, it is like they capture the elephants feelings. The bulls look like the "dudes" and the mother elephant's tenderness towards her baby is palpable in these photos. The text gave me deep insight into the very private world of this elephant family yet it is written in a way that all readers can enjoy. After reading this book I felt like I was privy to the deepest family secrets of this group of elephants and very grateful for this glimpse into the elephants' world.

I recently met Caitlin O'Connell at a presentation she did for the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, TN. I was so impressed with her book she was signing there, that I bought these as well. This picture book is a perfect accompaniment to Elephant Don: The Politics of a Pachyderm Posse, which I also recommend.She speaks of all the ways the male elephants meet and greet each other, and also when they are angry. This picture book shows all that... and more.

The book is an educational read about elephant family life, birth, adolesence, bachelor herd life, maturing, mating, and the end of the bull's reign. The book is based on studying herds of elephants, primarily in Namibia, over the course of numerous seasons. Besides being a good educational read, the book contains some tremendous photographs, which provide excellent visuals to aid the readers understanding.

This was a very interesting book but I really was looking for something that explained more about the elephants habits and their lives in general. Not enough info for me

My sisger loves elephanats and cotributes to an elephant preserve in Tennessee. This book was as well received as I thought it would be, the pictures and the research are a special treat for anyone who is an animal lover and is truly and Intimate Portrait those of us can enjoy that may never make it to Africa.

It is a lovely Coffee Table book, but most of all I love the beautiful photography throughout the book, as well as the information shared by the writer. It is a book for all ages, simply stated, it was my favorite Christmas gift!

Wonderful book. Great pictures as great as being right there. A must see to appreciate. If you have any interstin Africa and or Elephants this is an Excellant picture book. "Two thumbs up: for sure, 5 stars :D

Fine one page slightly ripped

Great pictures, very interesting and new informations about elephants and elephant male groups, easy to read, and you get attached to the elephants depicted here -if you're going on a safari (especially in Namibia), it's a good idea to read it before, you'll benefit much more from your observations