The Peaceable Kingdom: A Year In the Life of America's Oldest Zoo

by John Sedgwick

The City of Brotherly Love extends its affection to the extraordinary world of its zoo. Author John Sedgwick brings a delightful look at the visitors, staff, and the playfulness, orneriness, and mischief of its colorful cast of animal characters.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Science, History

333 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[LibraryCin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes a look at the Philadelphia Zoo and all the goings-on for a year in the mid-1980s. Not only do we meet some of the animals and learn their stories, but we meet many of the staff, as well as other people (including the “Wolf Lady”, who came every day to watch the wolves). Other events were included, such as the planning and building of a new building, then moving the animals into said building.

I really enjoyed this. Of course, I love animals, so it would have been surprising for me not to. It was interesting to get behind the scenes. You could see in the book where things were much better than they had been for zoo animals (moving from concrete/barren (i.e. sanitary) enclosures to more natural ones), but at the same time I hope other things have changed still (they were still using bull hooks on the elephants...). Of course, my favourite parts were stories of the animals, but I enjoyed “meeting” some of the people, as well. I think the author did a good job wrapping up the book, though the lives of both the people and animals go on.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am well aware of the debate surronding zoos, whether or not they are cruel to some or all animals. I have to admit, however, there is part of me that will always love a zoo, at least zoo that takes the comfort of its animals into consideration.

This book is now very dated. The Philadelphia Zoo, for instance, no longer has wolves or elephants. But even taking the dating of the book into account, it still is a very good read. It presents a year in history and presents what was. It shows all the workings of the zoo, not only behind the scenes but those visitors that come on a daily or almost daily basis. The writing is engaging.

[Mary C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book ,and great to read before heading to see the Philadelphia Zoo!!

[Mary Unger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book in 1988, when it was first published, and finally pulled it from my shelves again to reread it. it took me straight back to my earliest memories of growing up In Philadelphia and going to the zoo with my dad many many times over the years. I can still remember a few of the animals the author talks about. He did a good job on the book, especially the running storyline about the conceiving and building of the World of Primates building, which tragically burnt and killed all the animals in the late 90’s. The writing is concise and clear and brought out the very human stories of the keepers and other zoo employees who loved the animals, and the stories of the animals themselves. It was a nice walk down memory lane, and makes me want to go back and see it all again.

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of it is pretty dated, but -even though I'm not a huge history buff- the history is really fascinating and the stories are entertaining. The book has a nice flow to it, and it doesn't ever seem to drag, but goes surprisingly fast. It's not one of those books full of boring, pointless information, everything is funny, or touching, or interesting. The people and animals all have fascinating stories and Sedgewick does a good job presenting the importance of the zoo.

[Sumi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous treat for an animal lover.

The book takes you to the Philadelphia’s zoo in all four seasons. The author brings zoo animals happiness, love, death and pain; explores feelings between humans and animals.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love it so far! It's about a year at the Philly Zoo. Did you know there used to be a monorail there?!