What do you think?
Rate this book
Elephant Bill
A book comes along like this once in a lifetime. You read it as a small child, or even an adult, and never forget the images it conjures up of a wonderful Englishman who lives in the mysterious forests of faraway Burma and of the kind native people who teach him about their lovely country. But most of all, you never forget the elephants! For this is a story about those magnificent creatures. Though he was officially known as Lt. Colonel J. H. Williams, the author was known to the world at large as Elephant Bill. That is because he spent 25 years living with the elephants in the mountains and forests of Burma. There he trained them to haul teak logs out of the isolated jungles.
Yet this is also a story of great courage, because when the Second World War struck it also came to Burma. The Japanese Imperial Army planned to confiscate the Burmese elephants, drafting them to make the bridges and railways they needed to invade India. When he learned of these plans to put his beloved animals to a war-like purpose, Elephant Bill knew what had to be done. The mighty kings of the jungle had to be evacuated to safety.
This is thus the story not only of the peaceful days in the jungle, starting in 1921, but also the story of the largest elephant rescue in history. It tells the amazing account of how Elephant Bill, along with his friends and family, rode 45 of the great beasts across the mountains of Burma, before reaching safety in faraway India.
A classic then. A classic now. Elephant Bill is a blessing to any library and a literary treasure.
Yet this is also a story of great courage, because when the Second World War struck it also came to Burma. The Japanese Imperial Army planned to confiscate the Burmese elephants, drafting them to make the bridges and railways they needed to invade India. When he learned of these plans to put his beloved animals to a war-like purpose, Elephant Bill knew what had to be done. The mighty kings of the jungle had to be evacuated to safety.
This is thus the story not only of the peaceful days in the jungle, starting in 1921, but also the story of the largest elephant rescue in history. It tells the amazing account of how Elephant Bill, along with his friends and family, rode 45 of the great beasts across the mountains of Burma, before reaching safety in faraway India.
A classic then. A classic now. Elephant Bill is a blessing to any library and a literary treasure.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1950
79 people are currently reading
292 people want to read
About the author
J.H. Williams
12 books8 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. ^^
Colonel James Howard Williams, also known as Elephant Bill, was a British soldier and elephant expert in Burma, known for his work with the Fourteenth Army during the Burma Campaign of World War II, and for his 1950 book Elephant Bill. He was made a Lieutenant-Colonel, mentioned in dispatches three times, and was awarded the OBE in 1945.
He spent most of his working life in the forests of Burma. There he became so interested in the lives and habits of elephants that he acquired his nickname. He became so friendly with the elephants that they soon recognised him as a friend.
Colonel James Howard Williams, also known as Elephant Bill, was a British soldier and elephant expert in Burma, known for his work with the Fourteenth Army during the Burma Campaign of World War II, and for his 1950 book Elephant Bill. He was made a Lieutenant-Colonel, mentioned in dispatches three times, and was awarded the OBE in 1945.
He spent most of his working life in the forests of Burma. There he became so interested in the lives and habits of elephants that he acquired his nickname. He became so friendly with the elephants that they soon recognised him as a friend.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 29, 2020
Wow, what a fantastic book - I can't believe I waited so long to read this! I have read another of this author's books (The Spotted Deer - related to elephants in forestry in the Andaman Islands), and gave that 4 stars - it was great, but this book is basically as good as it gets in all things elephant (related to forestry, military, and general wild Indian elephant behaviour).
Published in 1950, it covers the period immediately after WW1 (when Williams was in the Camel Corps), and he first reached Burma in 1920, to run a forestry operation, right through to the years after WW2, when he spent time returning elephants to forestry, after they spent time in the army (er, him and the elephants!).
Basically a book of two halves - the first is the culmination of many years experience in the forestry industry in Burma (pre-war), all the learning of a vet looking after elephants, all the experience of working with elephants, training them, and their abilities, their quirks, their behaviour, their likes and dislikes. As well as this he shares a deep understanding of the Burmese oozie (riders), and indeed the Burmese natives, whom he respected and was respected by.
The second half explains the role Williams had in the army during WW2 - again in Burma, and again with elephants, where they were extensively used for construction (roads, bridges, fortifications) and as transportation. Williams played a large role in trying to keep the Japanese from capturing elephants for their own use, and in trying to get them back from the Japanese, or recapturing them after the Japanese retreat.
Throughout the book it is obvious Williams has a deep connection with the elephants, and has a thorough understanding of them. He also has talent as a writer, able to weave a story, work a narrative up to a crescendo, and layer information in a way that doesn't feel like a textbook, but still contains considerable information.
The book is easy reading and doesn't use too much jargon or military terms (although there are inevitably a number when half the book discusses the war). My copy (Reprint Society) is packed with black and white photographs which are excellent, given the age of the book (my edition is 1951).
It is not a rare book by any means, so is relatively easy available, and definitely worth seeking out.
Easy 5 stars.
Published in 1950, it covers the period immediately after WW1 (when Williams was in the Camel Corps), and he first reached Burma in 1920, to run a forestry operation, right through to the years after WW2, when he spent time returning elephants to forestry, after they spent time in the army (er, him and the elephants!).
Basically a book of two halves - the first is the culmination of many years experience in the forestry industry in Burma (pre-war), all the learning of a vet looking after elephants, all the experience of working with elephants, training them, and their abilities, their quirks, their behaviour, their likes and dislikes. As well as this he shares a deep understanding of the Burmese oozie (riders), and indeed the Burmese natives, whom he respected and was respected by.
The second half explains the role Williams had in the army during WW2 - again in Burma, and again with elephants, where they were extensively used for construction (roads, bridges, fortifications) and as transportation. Williams played a large role in trying to keep the Japanese from capturing elephants for their own use, and in trying to get them back from the Japanese, or recapturing them after the Japanese retreat.
Throughout the book it is obvious Williams has a deep connection with the elephants, and has a thorough understanding of them. He also has talent as a writer, able to weave a story, work a narrative up to a crescendo, and layer information in a way that doesn't feel like a textbook, but still contains considerable information.
The book is easy reading and doesn't use too much jargon or military terms (although there are inevitably a number when half the book discusses the war). My copy (Reprint Society) is packed with black and white photographs which are excellent, given the age of the book (my edition is 1951).
It is not a rare book by any means, so is relatively easy available, and definitely worth seeking out.
Easy 5 stars.
April 23, 2018
I came across this book after reading Elephant Moon by John Sweeny, which was inspired by Elephant Bill.
An interesting memoir of an interesting man leading an unusual life.
I knew little about the war in Burma and this is certainly a fascinating part of it.
I did wonder how he managed to get married and father children, given how much of his life was spent isolayed in the Burmese jungle.
I'd love to read his wife's story - I think she'd have to have been a strong woman.
An interesting memoir of an interesting man leading an unusual life.
I knew little about the war in Burma and this is certainly a fascinating part of it.
I did wonder how he managed to get married and father children, given how much of his life was spent isolayed in the Burmese jungle.
I'd love to read his wife's story - I think she'd have to have been a strong woman.
March 6, 2014
Colonel "Elephant Bill" Williams' amazing story of how, in the summer of 1957, the largest elephant in captivity - Big Charlie - was moved from Butlin's Holiday Camp in Ayr, Scotland, to Butlin's, Filey, Yorkshire.
In May 1957, an advertisement in The Times caught Elephant Bill's eye. Butlin's Ltd was offering £1,000 in cash for the immediate safe transport of the largest elephant in captivity from its camp in Ayr to its camp in Filey - a distance by road of 350 miles.
Colonel JH Williams had earned his sobriquet "Elephant Bill" as a result of his experiences working with elephants in the jungles of Burma and, intrigued by the advertisement, he volunteered his services. As did 3,500 other people, for the problem of moving Big Charlie, a 5 and a half ton male elephant, and one of the finest tuskers in captivity, had captured the popular imagination.
Some of the suggestions for moving the elephant were eccentric in the extreme, but not long after the advertisement appeared, Elephant Bill found himself engaged as elephant consultant - with very ill-defined duties - to help Mr Willie Wilson of Glasgow transport Big Charlie.
Although Big Charlie was accompanied at all times on the journey by his gentle and devoted mahout, Shaik Ibrahim, the job was made much more hazardous by the fact that Big Charlie was on "musth" - or in season - and that Billy Butlin's demands for constant publicity posed tricky problems for all concerned.
Written by J.H.Williams. Abridged and read by Tony Lidington.
Producer: David Blount
Broadcast on:
BBC Radio 4, 7:45pm Sunday 1st August 2010
Duration:
15 minutes
Available until:
8:02pm Sunday 8th August 2010
Categories:
Lifestyle & Leisure, Pets & Animals, Drama
In May 1957, an advertisement in The Times caught Elephant Bill's eye. Butlin's Ltd was offering £1,000 in cash for the immediate safe transport of the largest elephant in captivity from its camp in Ayr to its camp in Filey - a distance by road of 350 miles.
Colonel JH Williams had earned his sobriquet "Elephant Bill" as a result of his experiences working with elephants in the jungles of Burma and, intrigued by the advertisement, he volunteered his services. As did 3,500 other people, for the problem of moving Big Charlie, a 5 and a half ton male elephant, and one of the finest tuskers in captivity, had captured the popular imagination.
Some of the suggestions for moving the elephant were eccentric in the extreme, but not long after the advertisement appeared, Elephant Bill found himself engaged as elephant consultant - with very ill-defined duties - to help Mr Willie Wilson of Glasgow transport Big Charlie.
Although Big Charlie was accompanied at all times on the journey by his gentle and devoted mahout, Shaik Ibrahim, the job was made much more hazardous by the fact that Big Charlie was on "musth" - or in season - and that Billy Butlin's demands for constant publicity posed tricky problems for all concerned.
Written by J.H.Williams. Abridged and read by Tony Lidington.
Producer: David Blount
Broadcast on:
BBC Radio 4, 7:45pm Sunday 1st August 2010
Duration:
15 minutes
Available until:
8:02pm Sunday 8th August 2010
Categories:
Lifestyle & Leisure, Pets & Animals, Drama
December 28, 2017
Read this along with or after Elephant Company
It is evident that this autobiographical memoir of JH Williams, was a key resource for the popular Elephant Company. Though it does not have the same sweeping perspective of the latter, its personable and familiar style takes the reader into Elephant Bill's world. It is an enjoyable history and the pictures help it come alive. Read them both
It is evident that this autobiographical memoir of JH Williams, was a key resource for the popular Elephant Company. Though it does not have the same sweeping perspective of the latter, its personable and familiar style takes the reader into Elephant Bill's world. It is an enjoyable history and the pictures help it come alive. Read them both
January 20, 2019
This is a remarkable account of an Englishman's life in Burma before, during and after the Second World War. Elephant Bill worked in the teak forests of Burma, with elephants and "oozies" (their devoted handlers). The book chronicles his career from managing 24 elephants to over 2,000. The man is amazing, but the elephants steal the show. If you thought Chimpanzees could handle tools, you should read about elephants building roads and bridges and solving engineering problems along the way! You may end up joining the ranks of those who feel elephants are the most intelligent mammals on earth!
The most remarkable section of the book deals with an evacuation of elephants and refugees escaping the Japanese invasion, crossing through unfamiliar jungles until they reached what seemed to be their end--a seemingly unassailable mountain range. The group literally cut narrow plateaus in the stone walls of the mountain. But how to get elephants-- who literally had to stand on their back legs and pull themselves up with their front legs--to climb this wall. One elephant was the hero of the endeavor. His handler said that if he would do it, the other elephants would follow. Besides a sheer wall on one side of the skinny path, the other side was a sheer drop off. Bandoola--who became a hero of the war--did it, and all made it over the mountains safely.
I also read The footsteps of Elephant Bill by Bill's wife, Susan Williams. This was a softer view of life in Burma, and she was not present for the trek. She, too, grew to love and respect the elephants in Bill's care, and her book is very entertaining and well written.
I recommend both books.
The most remarkable section of the book deals with an evacuation of elephants and refugees escaping the Japanese invasion, crossing through unfamiliar jungles until they reached what seemed to be their end--a seemingly unassailable mountain range. The group literally cut narrow plateaus in the stone walls of the mountain. But how to get elephants-- who literally had to stand on their back legs and pull themselves up with their front legs--to climb this wall. One elephant was the hero of the endeavor. His handler said that if he would do it, the other elephants would follow. Besides a sheer wall on one side of the skinny path, the other side was a sheer drop off. Bandoola--who became a hero of the war--did it, and all made it over the mountains safely.
I also read The footsteps of Elephant Bill by Bill's wife, Susan Williams. This was a softer view of life in Burma, and she was not present for the trek. She, too, grew to love and respect the elephants in Bill's care, and her book is very entertaining and well written.
I recommend both books.
August 10, 2019
Fascinating
A fascinating book. Really held my interest right to the end. It is so fascinating to realize that elephants are such incredibly intelligent animals, and how close the elephants and the handler, or oozie, are. I had no idea how much elephants were used during the war in Burma, by both sides of the conflict. Though it would seem the Burmese were far better with them than the Japanese. The first part of the book is about the time before the war, and the work they did, and still do. A very interesting and enlightening book. Highly recommend..
A fascinating book. Really held my interest right to the end. It is so fascinating to realize that elephants are such incredibly intelligent animals, and how close the elephants and the handler, or oozie, are. I had no idea how much elephants were used during the war in Burma, by both sides of the conflict. Though it would seem the Burmese were far better with them than the Japanese. The first part of the book is about the time before the war, and the work they did, and still do. A very interesting and enlightening book. Highly recommend..
February 25, 2025
This book was written in 1950 and it details the life of J.H. Williams aka Elephant Bill.
During WWI Bill was in the Camel Corps working with camels and then on to working with mules. After the war through a friend of a friend he learned of job in Burma working with elephants. This is where this story begins It tells of his work for the Bombay Burma Trading Corporation. His leadership in the British Elephant Company (WWII), building bridges, evacuating women and children. There is much information on the elephants and the training that is done with them.
A fascinating and easy read.
During WWI Bill was in the Camel Corps working with camels and then on to working with mules. After the war through a friend of a friend he learned of job in Burma working with elephants. This is where this story begins It tells of his work for the Bombay Burma Trading Corporation. His leadership in the British Elephant Company (WWII), building bridges, evacuating women and children. There is much information on the elephants and the training that is done with them.
A fascinating and easy read.
December 11, 2025
Another book I borrowed from Clio. She and I have a shared interest in non-fiction adventure books.
I really enjoyed this true story of the adventurous man put in charge of managing hundreds of elephants involved in the harvest of teak in Burma starting in the 20's. The logistics of how they operated, cared for the elephants, were fascinating, as was the close relationship each handler had with his elephant. Often paired for life. As a former equestrian I was fascinated by the parallels with keeping horses.
The second half dwelt with the drama of the Japanese occupation of Burma and the impact the elephants had on the war effort. Less interesting to me, but still important.
I really enjoyed this true story of the adventurous man put in charge of managing hundreds of elephants involved in the harvest of teak in Burma starting in the 20's. The logistics of how they operated, cared for the elephants, were fascinating, as was the close relationship each handler had with his elephant. Often paired for life. As a former equestrian I was fascinated by the parallels with keeping horses.
The second half dwelt with the drama of the Japanese occupation of Burma and the impact the elephants had on the war effort. Less interesting to me, but still important.
January 3, 2019
Unusual account of an extraordinary cooperation among several races of humans, and especially, remarkable creatures, the native elephants. Also unusually well-written by the insightful man who created much of the successes, human and elephant, possible. A hard-to-put-down, very worthwhile book.
I was fascinated both by the mostly untold history, and the well-told story. It made me yearn to know an elephant personally!
I was fascinated both by the mostly untold history, and the well-told story. It made me yearn to know an elephant personally!
March 8, 2020
First, three stars, in my book, is quite good. I enjoyed the book with one caveat. I was left with the sense that the author told in simple, matter of fact terms what was probably much more extraordinary. "And then, after lunch, I climbed to the summit of Everest and back. It was quite cold near the top and I was so tired as to sleep for ten hours that night."
April 25, 2021
Exceptional elephant story for all ages!
I enjoyed this book very much. It is second elephant book about Elephant Bill and both are interesting and enjoyable reads. I read both as book club selections. All our members have enjoyed both books. Other book is Elephant Company. I learned a great deal about these intelligent and delightful giants.Bravo!!
I enjoyed this book very much. It is second elephant book about Elephant Bill and both are interesting and enjoyable reads. I read both as book club selections. All our members have enjoyed both books. Other book is Elephant Company. I learned a great deal about these intelligent and delightful giants.Bravo!!
October 5, 2021
Great book
Reveals both a little known aspect of the war in Burma and a great narrative of an individual making a great contribution based on love of elephants and deep local knowledge of Burma and its people.
Reveals both a little known aspect of the war in Burma and a great narrative of an individual making a great contribution based on love of elephants and deep local knowledge of Burma and its people.
October 29, 2021
I loved this. It's old fashioned and some things are a little difficult for my modern sensibilities but it's a really interesting bit of history I knew nothing about and I really loved it. It was so real.
June 12, 2023
A homage to elephants. An honest and well written account of his working life and war with elephants on every page.It’s of it’s time with little about his personal live which would have given more colour and context.
October 30, 2023
Outstanding autobiography of Col. J.H. Williams as he narrates his tales of living in the jungle of Burma (now Myanmar) for 25 years between the two world wars.
More in
https://medium.com/@vram45/elephant-b...
More in
https://medium.com/@vram45/elephant-b...
September 13, 2024
A fantastic account of the role elephants and their Burmese oozies played during the Japanese invasion of Burma. The author's descriptions of the landscapes and the war are vivid and harrowing. Very lucky to have randomly found this book on the streets of Yangon.
February 28, 2017
authentic....
May 14, 2018
Incredible story.
This was a wonderful account of the authors time with elephants. I highly recommend reading this book. It is worth the time.
This was a wonderful account of the authors time with elephants. I highly recommend reading this book. It is worth the time.
August 16, 2018
Bass lake
An excellent read. The work and exemplary care of these elephants warms the heart.
Thank you for the read and a bit of history.
An excellent read. The work and exemplary care of these elephants warms the heart.
Thank you for the read and a bit of history.
September 10, 2021
An excellent account of the remarkable animals under Elephant Bill’s care in Burma before and during WWII. Fascinating. Poor old Bandoola!
June 18, 2023
Got me thinking and researching Burma but craved more emotion from author
January 19, 2024
Interesting
July 11, 2024
Besides the English propaganda in part 2, the book and the author really love elephants and it shows.
May 6, 2008
A peek into the use of Burmese elephants in the 1920s-40s, initially in the teak industry and then in the war efforts. Sadly, only a peek. Williams (aka "Elephant Bill") gives a wonderful overview of his work as a European Assistant of the British military in charge of some 70-80 elephants used to extract lumber from the dense forests in Burma. When the Japanese later invade Burma, he is responsible for extracting as many elephants and refugees as possible to India, and then in coordinating the work of those elephants and their oozies in building bridges and roads for British troops. While he does tell a few amazing and amusing incidents in depth, a frustrating amount of detail is glossed over. Certainly worth the read, but I'd hoped for a less-censored account.
January 4, 2014
This was a very interesting story of another aspect of WW2 in Burma that to my knowledge has never been covered before. We hear of the Japanese and Allied soldiers struggles but this is a "behind the scenes" story I am so glad I got to read.
The use of the elephants, and the sheer number of them, is something that I had never thought about before and I am so glad I read it.
The writing is very basic, almost report like in some ways, full of statistics, but they make the story so fascinating. The intelligence and adaptability of the elephants shows what incredible animals they are and makes the killing of them for ivory such a tragedy.
I would recommend this to any WWII or History buff.
The use of the elephants, and the sheer number of them, is something that I had never thought about before and I am so glad I read it.
The writing is very basic, almost report like in some ways, full of statistics, but they make the story so fascinating. The intelligence and adaptability of the elephants shows what incredible animals they are and makes the killing of them for ivory such a tragedy.
I would recommend this to any WWII or History buff.
November 9, 2015
This was a fascinating read,not only about the elephants and the work they did in the logging industry but how Williams managed to change many of cruel ways elephants were treated in their training . It was also so funny reading how British they were even in the middle of the jungle, china cups for tea and even standing up as they listened to God save the king on the BBC broadcasts. Their epic journey out was nothing short of amazing.He ode 45 elephants together with a number of women & children (wives and children of the elephant trainers who would have been killed if they stayed) out of Burma and into India. An amazing feat of courage.
March 19, 2016
first part quite technical about elephant behaviour in captivity and how to manage them. Second part more narrative about the invasion of the Japs during WOII and de evacuation of the elephants from Burma to Assam. Interesting, though more a chain of short stories/anecdotes than a romance. The style reminds me of the narratives a "Some Experiences of a New Guinea Resident Magistrate". Medium to slow read.
Williams also wrote a Spotted Deer, which in my recollection, I found better.
Williams also wrote a Spotted Deer, which in my recollection, I found better.
March 11, 2012
This book falls into two halves. The first half deals with Williams's experiences working the teak forests in Burma with elephants. It covers how they broke wild elephants for work (really!) and the later breeding programme. The second half is about his WWII expereinces and how he trekked his elepahnts out of Burma and into India as they were too valuable to be left to the Japanese.
January 20, 2013
A young British man with a little veterinary training goes forth into the jungles of Burma to learn how to care for elephants. They give him an education in return. Through peace and war, up and down over mountains and in valleys, through the monsoons and the dry.
February 4, 2014
Absolutely fascinating, a must for anyone interested in elephants - and why wouldn't you be?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews