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Christian The Lion: The Illustrated Legacy
The story that captured the imagination of the world...
In 1969 Harrods department store in London sold a three-month old lion cub to two young Australians, John Rendall and Anthony (Ace) Bourke. They called him Christian. For a year Christian lived happily and safely with John and Ace and his human ‘pride', initially in the World's End on the King's Road in Chelsea, where Derek Cattani first began photographing him.
When Christian outgrew his London environment he was entrusted to the care of George Adamson in Kenya, who with his wife Joy, had successfully rehabilitated their lioness Elsa, the subject of Joy's book Born Free .
A year after Christian had been living in the wild John and Ace returned to Kenya to try and find him. The film clip of their emotional reunion has now been viewed by over 100 million people on YouTube.
In 1973 Christian disappeared into the wild forever. George Adamson had uniquely rehabilitated a fifth-generation zoo-bred lion.
John and Ace's first book about Christian was a million seller in the 1970s, and enjoyed a huge resurgence of interest after their YouTube clip went viral in 2006. This brand new book from Bradt collects Derek Cattani's never-before-seen pictures of Christian and updates the story to the present day, including the story of their YouTube sensation and a chapter on the murder of George Adamson.
When John and Ace took Christian to Kenya in 1970 there were an estimated 300,00 lions in Africa. Today there are fewer than 25,000.
In 1969 Harrods department store in London sold a three-month old lion cub to two young Australians, John Rendall and Anthony (Ace) Bourke. They called him Christian. For a year Christian lived happily and safely with John and Ace and his human ‘pride', initially in the World's End on the King's Road in Chelsea, where Derek Cattani first began photographing him.
When Christian outgrew his London environment he was entrusted to the care of George Adamson in Kenya, who with his wife Joy, had successfully rehabilitated their lioness Elsa, the subject of Joy's book Born Free .
A year after Christian had been living in the wild John and Ace returned to Kenya to try and find him. The film clip of their emotional reunion has now been viewed by over 100 million people on YouTube.
In 1973 Christian disappeared into the wild forever. George Adamson had uniquely rehabilitated a fifth-generation zoo-bred lion.
John and Ace's first book about Christian was a million seller in the 1970s, and enjoyed a huge resurgence of interest after their YouTube clip went viral in 2006. This brand new book from Bradt collects Derek Cattani's never-before-seen pictures of Christian and updates the story to the present day, including the story of their YouTube sensation and a chapter on the murder of George Adamson.
When John and Ace took Christian to Kenya in 1970 there were an estimated 300,00 lions in Africa. Today there are fewer than 25,000.
192 pages, Paperback
Published February 7, 2019
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16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 30, 2019
At first, I thought it would be another edition of A Lion Called Christian, just with photos. It's not. The story is the same, of course, but while A Lion Called Christian recounts it in detail, Christian The Lion: The Illustrated Legacy is more of a... companion book. It kind of assumes that you know the story already, so it's mostly summarized, but adds some interesting details that weren't in A Lion Called Christian. It also contains 2 or 3 new chapters and updates compared to the 1971 book & its revised editions. And, obviously, the photos - they're gorgeous.
Totally worth buying, although I'd say it's better to get both: A Lion Called Christian for the full story, and Christian The Lion: The Illustrated Legacy for the "extras." Remarkably, it manages not to repeat itself even though the story remains unchanged.
Totally worth buying, although I'd say it's better to get both: A Lion Called Christian for the full story, and Christian The Lion: The Illustrated Legacy for the "extras." Remarkably, it manages not to repeat itself even though the story remains unchanged.
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November 27, 2022As a rule I avoid reading anything about animals because it immediately turns on the waterworks. I was given this book and thought I’d be stronger this time. The bittersweet goodbye had me SOBBING like a BABY. My version really watered down any emotions felt by John and Ace on leaving Christian in Africa but I was pretty easily able to fill in the blanks.
Remaining unrated because I’m pretty sure I have a children’s book version of the story. The language was really simple and concise. But the story is definitely worth five stars and I would be interested in learning more of the actual facts about Christian and his journey to Africa.
Remaining unrated because I’m pretty sure I have a children’s book version of the story. The language was really simple and concise. But the story is definitely worth five stars and I would be interested in learning more of the actual facts about Christian and his journey to Africa.
December 14, 2018
Christian the Lion – Such a moving and incredible story
Once upon a time Harrods in London would sell you some very exotic animals as pets, and in 1969, they sold a lion cub to two young Australians. It would be the start of an extraordinary journey, not only for them but more importantly, for Christian. Christian was born in captivity at Ilfracombe Zoo but would one day be free.
Christian the Lion is an excellent book of the journey from the Kings Road in Chelsea to Africa where he would be released. John Rendall one of those Australians he relived those years and once again brings the story to life. While at the same time using some fantastic pictures of Christian’s journey from London to Africa.
This book is a heart- warming book, that really does make you feel better about those who do conservation work in Africa. Unlike those who fly out today for big game trophy hunting, which to my mind should be banned. The book also deals with the murder of George Adamson, the person who released Christian back into the wild, along with nearly 30 other lions.
Reading this book, just reminds you that there are some people working to save the world from itself. That there are others to busy stealing from our natural world and making money at the world’s expense. This book will remind you that there is some beauty left in the world.
A great book, and fall in love with conservation and save our planet from our own selfish nature.
Once upon a time Harrods in London would sell you some very exotic animals as pets, and in 1969, they sold a lion cub to two young Australians. It would be the start of an extraordinary journey, not only for them but more importantly, for Christian. Christian was born in captivity at Ilfracombe Zoo but would one day be free.
Christian the Lion is an excellent book of the journey from the Kings Road in Chelsea to Africa where he would be released. John Rendall one of those Australians he relived those years and once again brings the story to life. While at the same time using some fantastic pictures of Christian’s journey from London to Africa.
This book is a heart- warming book, that really does make you feel better about those who do conservation work in Africa. Unlike those who fly out today for big game trophy hunting, which to my mind should be banned. The book also deals with the murder of George Adamson, the person who released Christian back into the wild, along with nearly 30 other lions.
Reading this book, just reminds you that there are some people working to save the world from itself. That there are others to busy stealing from our natural world and making money at the world’s expense. This book will remind you that there is some beauty left in the world.
A great book, and fall in love with conservation and save our planet from our own selfish nature.
December 8, 2018
Beautiful story, beautiful book. Amazing
January 7, 2019
Many will be familiar with the story of Christian the Lion, if not I won't spoil it! however this updated illustrated version is excellent and really brings the story to life. Thoroughly recommended.
(Watch on YouTube!)
(Watch on YouTube!)
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews