Description

Woodrow Wilson Nickel is 105 years old and senses his life nearing its end. When he hears giraffes may soon become extinct, memories arise—memories too powerful and extraordinary to forget, and too meaningful to keep secret any longer.

In 1938, the struggles of the Great Depression lingered heavily, Hitler loomed ominously over Europe, and Americans yearned desperately for hope and wonder. They found it unexpectedly in the story of two giraffes, who miraculously survived a devastating hurricane during their Atlantic crossing. Immediately capturing the hearts of the nation, the giraffes embarked on an extraordinary twelve-day cross-country journey in a specially built truck, traveling all the way to become the San Diego Zoo’s first giraffes.

Behind the wheel was a spirited young man, Woodrow, hardened by his Dust Bowl upbringing and seeking adventure. Inspired by true events, this enchanting novel blends real and fictional characters seamlessly, including the world’s first female zoo director determined to succeed, an old man burdened by his mysterious past, an ambitious young female photographer harboring secrets of her own, and an assortment of misfits as distinctive as the giraffes themselves.

Blending adventure storytelling, historical drama, and a memorable coming-of-age tale, West with Giraffes invites readers to reflect on life’s transformative moments—shaped by encounters with extraordinary animals, moments of unexpected kindness, and experiences too valuable not to share before it’s too late.