jjares reviewed Jumbo the Elephant: The Life and Legacy of History?s Most Famous Circus Animal on + 3289 more book reviews
Goodness, veterinarians were not much in evidence in the 1880s, according to this book. I would have expected a vet to be along on the trip from London to the US if nothing else. It is a tragedy how Jumbo died, but he probably wouldn't have lived much longer anyway. He was routinely fed junk food and alcohol. Once a wild animal loses its teeth, it slowly dies due to starvation (without teeth, he cannot chew food).
I would have liked to have heard what happened to the two men who traversed the ocean with Jumbo after the elephant died (Matthew Scott and William Newman). Did they stay in the US or go back to England? Also, I would have liked for the authors to have given a bit more info about the African elephant. I googled the subject and found out that they live 60 to 70 years, which is why the book said he was early middle-aged at death (he was 24-years then). The photos and posters were exceptional and added so much to the enjoyment of this unique story.
I would have liked to have heard what happened to the two men who traversed the ocean with Jumbo after the elephant died (Matthew Scott and William Newman). Did they stay in the US or go back to England? Also, I would have liked for the authors to have given a bit more info about the African elephant. I googled the subject and found out that they live 60 to 70 years, which is why the book said he was early middle-aged at death (he was 24-years then). The photos and posters were exceptional and added so much to the enjoyment of this unique story.
