SACRED ELEPHANT

by Heathcote Williams

Sacred Elephant Williams, Heathcote

Genres: Nonfiction, Poetry, Nature, Africa

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

John Henley Jasper Heathcote-Williams was an English poet, actor and award-winning playwright. He was also an intermittent painter, sculptor and long-time conjuror. After his schooldays at Eton, he hacksawed his surname's double-barrel to become Heathcote Williams, a moniker more in keeping perhaps with his new-found persona. His father, also named Heathcote Williams, was a lawyer. He is perhaps best known for the book-length polemical poem Whale Nation, which in 1988 became "the most powerful argument for the newly instigated worldwide ban on whaling." In the early 1970s his agitational graffiti were a feature on the walls of the then low-rent end of London's Notting Hill district. From his early twenties, Williams has enjoyed a minor cult following. His first book, The Speakers (1964), a virtuoso close-focus account of life at Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park, was greeted with unanimous critical acclaim. In 1974 it was successfully adapted for the stage by the Joint Stock Theatre Company.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking - made me ashamed; how we have treated this magnificent creature. To think that this animal is killed just for their tusks, that this majestic species that has inspired mankind for centuries has been driven to the brink of extinction says so much about our inability to value what is truly important and lasting. Highest recommendation.

[Ruric Amhari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving and eloquent work delivered by photos, verse and prose text celebrating the existence of elephants and how dangerously decimated the elephant population is.

[Chuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything that you would like to know about elephants plus. There is an eloquent part of the book that clarifies the history and current status of elephant The fun part for me, however, was the section on the historic development and physical characteristics of this magnificent and smart animal. For example, it is believed that this huge species came originally from the sea and is closely related to Manatees. For example, it has webbed feet and many similar physical characteristics. Another tidbit included that African elephant ears are the shape of Africa and Indian elephant ears are the shape of India. In any case, lots of interesting facts in case you are scheduled to go on "Jeopardy" anytime soon.