Ivory, Apes & Peacocks: Animals, Adventure and Discovery in the Wild Places of Africa

by Alan Root

Alan Root is one of the great wildlife pioneers. He began his career making films for the TV series Survival, which started wildlife film-making as we know it, and is responsible for numerous groundbreaking documentaries and natural history discoveries -- from being the first person to film hippos and crocodiles underwater and the wildebeest migrating to observing that hyenas hunt. His friends and colleagues have included George and Joy Adamson and David Attenborough; he showed Dian Fossey her first mountain gorilla. His wife and long-term collaborator was Joan Root, who was tragically murdered in 2006 in retaliation for her environmental campaigning in Kenya.
In "Ivory, Apes & Peacocks," Alan tells the story of his life's work, from his arrival in Kenya as a young boy (furious at having to leave behind Britain's birds) to his game-changing films, which looked at whole ecosystems (baobab trees, termite mounds) rather than the Big Five animals. Along the way we encounter Sally the pet hippo and Emily the house-proud chimp as well leopard and snake bites, ballooning adventures and amphibious cars.
In this extraordinary memoir we look at Africa's wonders through the eyes of a visionary, live through hair-raising adventure and personal tragedy and also bear witness to a natural world now largely lost from view.

Genres: Nonfiction, Conservation, Natural History, Memoir, Nature, Animals

336 pages, Paperback

First published September 6, 2012

About the author

Alan Root is a filmmaker, naturalist and adventurer. He lives with his wife and children in Kenya.

Reviews

[Sam Ingram · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book about the life of conservationist Alan Root. Seriously unbelievable in parts as his lust for filming wildlife gets him into some terrifying scrapes including getting mauled by hippos, leopards and gorillas. It also has quite tragic bits as close friends and partners die or are murdered by poachers and there are plenty of tragedies within Africa's conservation efforts. However overall this book is filled with wonder and spectacular wildlife, and the amazing illustrations also merit a mention here. 5 stars!

[Robert Waldron · Rating 5 out of 5]

What really emerges for me in this book, is how many things Alan Root pioneered in wildlife film-making.
Today, we see other film-makers hailed for pioneering work, and on closer examination, often find that, darn, Alan Root did it first.
The book is a rip roaring adventure of his escapes and escapades as a wildlife film-maker, and is tempered by the sheer passion for his subject.
A good read even for those who are more armchair wildlife enthusiasts, as a gentle backstory also
covers Alan's personal life, and the changes in Kenya during his experience.
An easy, informative read with more energy in it that many fictional adventure novels.

[Rudi Bezuidenhoudt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bittersweet

[Adrian Fingleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, gripping account of a wildlife cameraman's life. He seems to have quite simply worked with or known so many famous people in the world of African wildlife and anthropology. It's a sad book in that it chronicles a period when nature has taken a hammering, and many of the people he know have had sad endings, one way or another. But if you are a fan of wildlife programs going back to the 60s and thereafter, you will have seen some of the author's work. A very interesting and engaging book for this lover of wildlife.

[Rebecca Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

The life and career of Alan Root is well developed in this book. His passion for wildlife and film making is palpable throughout the book and the stories he has to tell are fascinating. The book is easy to read and fast-paced, and I would recommend it for anyone interested in learning more about what goes on behind the lenses of wildlife documentaries and films.

[Word Muncher · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many adventures and so reminiscent of life in the bush. The writing is a bit monotonous, but Alan really knows his stuff, so there's lots to learn as well. How someone can build a brilliant career from something they love so much is inspiring. I can only wish I could go along for the ride on some of these adventures.

[Sivasothi N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful account by a hardy wildlife documentary pioneer with an ecosystems outlook. Motivated to share an entire scenario and not just the short highlights. These are stories of pain and passion and join the ranks of books which inspire an appreciation of wildlife biology like Lawrence Anthony and Delia & Mark Owens.

[Vishnu Vardhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written book. Very interesting how he interacts with so many other naturalists in the early stages of their careers (Schaller, Attenborough, Fossey, etc) who later go on to become legends in their own rights.

[Rudi Bezuidenhoudt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bittersweet

[Vanessa Olive · Rating 3 out of 5]

A companion to Wildflower. This is his story

[Reshma Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a daring guy!

[Adam Lefkowitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a good book that holds your attention. Root is a natural storyteller, but some details like dates of certain key events would be helpful. Overall a good read.

[Lisa Visser · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: ‘Muzungu! White man! Why are you lying down?’

[Abdelrahman Hassanein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful journey of Alan Root in Africa, one of the most underrated wildlife characters, that his life should be documented in a Holywood movie, and im sure it will never be disappointing one!

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fine example of the “here are my crazy adventures in nature” memoir, and Root’s ability to survive is pretty amazing. Good, engaging writing.

[Mairéad Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are at all interested in conservation, wildlife, or photography/videography, you have to read this book. Alan Root’s story is equal parts inspiring and incredible. Truly the founding father of wildlife videography, he has influenced and captured some of the most iconic shots of all time. He was also instrumental in saving the Okapi. This memoir is a page turner and one you cannot miss.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best part about reading travel memoirs or books about new places is the ever-expanding bucket list that is sure to follow. That’s also the worst part. While still living in Thailand (found this book in my new apartment), I may not even have seen all of Asia yet, but now Alan Root’s book has been dying to get to Africa as soon as possible!

I’ve always found it intriguing, the stories of British ex-pats moving to Africa following the World Wars, especially as the leadership began to change and England was no longer a ruling power in most of Africa. To see how Africa affects those who love her, whether she is their native or adoptive land is very powerful.

Ivory, Apes & Peacocks was full of beautiful imagery, so much so that Root’s descriptions of his films made me feel as though I had already seen them. The Serengeti seems like such a magical place. I never really felt a connection to the animals on these plains, as they are so far from my home, but he easily put in to context how important each creature is to making the entire planet spin. Root’s language even made the story of his termite film seem incredible. As I read the book I was the corporate executives Root had to battle: “why are you about to spend an entire chapter on termites” and in the end “who knew termites were so fascinating and smart!”: this coming from someone who definitely is not a “bug person”. This embodies what Root has achieved over his incredible career; he set out to follow his own passions across Africa but he has been able to ignite the same passions in many others as well.

I think some of my favorite portions of the story were about Naivasha, Root’s home with his first wife, as well as the rehabilitated animals at Naivasha and their other homes. They had pristine wildlife in their front yard and lived naturally among it, that is something you never see any more. If just seeing Root drinking tea with the hippo in their front yard on the cover of his book doesn’t make you want to know more I have no idea what will.

Outside of the beauty in Root’s stories, he talked a lot about the difficulties and dangers in pursuing wildlife conservation during the wars and turbulent changes in many African countries in a way that really inspires belief in the importance of these efforts. You see how so many cultures have become so intertwined with the land they live on and why it is important to preserve the land so these people can continue to thrive and do not turn to the poaching and sport hunting that is so damaging. You can also see how the changes the modern age has brought about has done a complete 180 on the importance of and spirituality that comes with embracing the land you live on and preserving it’s natural beauty and life; the end of times at Naivasha was heartbreaking. There were not just a few stories that truly gave me goosebumps or brought tears so my eyes while reading about the efforts of not only Root, but his wife, Dian Fossey, Dr. Grzimek, and the many others that share his passion.

Root’s book is one of the best wildlife and adventure books I’ve had the pleasure of reading and I’m so glad he has shared his stories.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember watching Alan Root's ground breaking nature documentaries as a child on ITV's Survival and it was those that got me hooked on the fauna of Africa. The go-to-man for animals before David Attenborough took over, Root changed the tradition of macho white men molesting animals (the Steve Irwin camp) for thrills and developed the ecological narrative we see in today's programs. This book is an autobiography detailing a career spent filming some of Africa's most fascinating creatures, his battles with conservation and the various tragedies of his personal life. Inevitably, humankind turns out to be the worst animal in the book. With barely suppressed bitterness, Root recounts some of the atrocities conducted in the former Congo, now Zaire region, following its independence and of the general corruption at large in this scarred and war torn continent. It was interesting to see parallels with The Poisonwood Bible, a fictionalised version of events, such as the origins of the miserably malnourished elephant on Mobutu's estate.

The language is down to earth, funny and concise, without the suffocatingly pompous tone normally adopted in books on nature, think more Gerald Durrell than Robert MacFarlane. Root doesn't feel the need to waste too much time educating ignorant readers about obscure wildlife, he seems to take it for granted that you'll know your genets from your mongooses. I found it refreshing that extraneous detail didn't clog up the narrative, after all, it's aimed at people who already have an interest in the genre. The overall spirit of daring that pervades the text is highly reminiscent of Willard Price's adventure books I read as a child. It is a depiction of an almost mythological realm that due to overpopulation, development and poaching is in rapid decline. Legendary locations such as the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro crater, Olduvai Gorge and the Mountains of the Moon are visited, as well as key figures such as the Adamsons and gorilla woman, Dian Fossey. Quite simply a tour-de-force of a world that sadly no longer exists. I absolutely loved it.

[Courtney Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book: Ivory, Apes & Peacocks: Animals, Adventure and Discovery in the Wild Places of Africa

The author: Alan Root, British nature filmmaker

The subject: Root's life growing up in Africa and later working there as a pioneering nature filmmaker.

Why I chose it: I am interested in natural history and saw it in the library while browsing.

The rating: Four out of five stars

What I thought of it: This is the sort of book that makes you want to immediately drop everything and go on an adventure. Well, I'll add to that... an incredibly safe adventure, where you face no danger of being bitten by hippos, leopards, gorillas or adders. Or hot air balloon crashes.

Alan Root has lived a turbulent life and his book reflects this. He doesn't need to embellish his language and this makes the story all the more engaging and the setting all the more vivid. There are moments of great sadness, but also plenty of humour. The story includes many encounters with conservation "celebrities" such as Dian Fossey and the Adamsons (as well as the tragic ends many of his associates faced). I really like Root's philosophy on nature filmmaking and enjoyed the recreations of his interactions with American TV executives. You really get a sense of his respect for the natural world.

I'm not sure I'd like to be married to Alan Root, but he certainly knows how to write a book. If you have any wishes for adventure, realised or unrealised, or any interest in natural history, Africa or conservation, this is a great one to pick up.

Just one more thing: I don't really have anything to add, except I hope I can get round to watching some of Root's documentaries.

[Jeannette · Rating 5 out of 5]

To read this book gives you a free ride on the shoulders of a photographer who is more than a voyeur looking at animals, he looks into animals and films their lives in a most intimate, compassionate, ecological way. Alan Root cares passionately about animals in their proper settings, the wilds that he traverses with great respect, aplomb, adventure and skill. The stories he tells of his travels and sites, the films, the people, the condensed hours, weeks, months, years he spends trying to get the shots that will reveal the inside life of a termite mound, the nest of a hammerkop, the stance of a baobab tree, the world of Serengeti's rock outcrops, the challenges of bureaucracy and transport (foot, bike, plane, helicopter - he's master of them all), the springs with hippos that almost killed him and his wife/partner Joan, the countless campsites and encounters. Ah, so many stories, each one precious, some startling and many emotionally compelling, especially the ending ones. I could rave on and on about this book, it's so honest, so rewarding, detailed and humorous (in a very wry Alan Root way). I've given it a 5 but admit that I am very biased in a positive way because it is so unusual, so in tune with what I feel about Africa and wildlife, Also, I knew some of the people Alan writes about, including him and I know he has told his story from his heart, with truth and sincerity. Imagine summarizing all his adventured in one book. Amazing. Alan Root's movies get the top marks too. Watch his films, virtually all of them capture a world you would never experience without that unique view from Alan Root's shoulders and he lets you watch without his ego clouding your view.

[Caroline Taggart · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must for anyone with the remotest interest in wildlife and wildlife film-making. Alan Root is the man who, according to David Attenborough, ‘almost single-handedly…made wildlife films grow up’. He worked in the Serengeti with pioneering conservationists Bernhard and Michael Grzimek; he made films for Armand and Michaela Denis; he knew Joy and George Adamson and Dian Fossey; and if none of that interests you, he’s been bitten in the backside by a leopard and in the leg by a hippo, nearly lost a limb to puff-adder poison and had more near-misses in light aircraft than anyone needs in a single lifetime.

He’s got an endearingly wry writing style, but also cares passionately about the wildlife he studies and has seen more than his fair share of tragedy, both in his own life and in the politics of Africa. His passion, his sense of adventure and his humanity travel hand in hand in this fabulous memoir.

[Delta Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second read of Alan Root's book, a nice inscribed copy given me at his home in Kenya last month. It is fascinating to revisit the Serengeti Shall Not Die episode with Professor and Michael Gzrimek, his early days as a filmmaker, and his first meeting with Joan Thorpe who became his partner on so many excellent documentaries.
The book is helping me craft my memoirs; just about the luckiest job ever was being publicist for these fantastic films, which drew me to East Africa.
Here is my tribute to Joan Root who was murdered at her home on Lake Naivasha. http://deltawillis.com/people-and-pla...

[Gordon MacLellan]

interesting but not thrilling. This was one of those books that I enjoyed in an "this is entertaining but not wildly so" sort of way. There is nothing wrong with it: reasonably written and an interetsings tory but it jsut didn't grip me: I felt that I never really engaged with the author. Despite the adventures he's been through, I experienced no tension....sorry. I would have like to have liked it more! Root's connection with central and eastern Africa is very clear and he evokes the landscapes well, but....

[Jason Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book by one of the greatest wildlife film-makers that ever was. A must read for anyone interested in wildlife film but also a fascinating read for anyone interested in East Africa, conservation and adventure, with a sprinkling of celebrity as Alan appears to have connections to all who have visited the region over the past fifty years or so... Well written and often humorous but peppered with accounts of sad and moving happenings... Read it people!

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really fantastic read, I had not heard of Alan Root before reading this book and I can see that he was quite a important person in the scheme of wildlife filming in Africa.
Sad about the break down of his first marriage, and the breaking down of law and order in parts of Africa. Sad to see things go backwards instead of progressing forward for everyone's good.

[Marie Knock · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book. As a wildlife photographer I cannot believe Alan Root was unknown to me until my hubby bought me this book for Xmas. He's lived a turbulent and at parts envious life. he's not my ideal husband by any means, but for anyone interested in wildlife photography it's a must read!

[Amelia caflisch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully written book that takes you away to the far off corners of the world. Alan Root takes us into a wild world that is slowly disappearing with the increase of human impacts. A must-read for any nature lover who wishes to be taken back to the real world

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting. I enjoyed the stories. Don't think it will win any awards.

[Fern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book, such tales of being in the Bush. Desperately want to see the films he made now.

[Frangipani Marigold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made me realize just how much work goes into filming wildlife programs. Have been an Alan Root fan ever since I saw his film showing hornbills nesting. Incredible.