My Life in a Man-Made Jungle

by Belle J. Benchley

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Animals, History, Biography Memoir, Nature

293 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1940

Reviews

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was inspired to read this book after reading West with Giraffes which was based on a short excerpt from this book. I had a difficult time finding a copy to read. This book was on the closed shelf of my library system but I was able to special request it and do an interlibrary loan. I like memoirs and enjoyed this book more than West with Giraffes. Belle Benchley had so many interesting animal stories to share. She was a very intelligent and insightful woman who really got to know her animals. I would even say a woman before her time with her vision for the San Diego Zoo. I found her stories to have an easy flow and am impressed with how well she articulated her stories. Also, I found it interesting to read about how circuses and animals in captivity were viewed back then vs today and had to chuckle at certain things that were done at the zoo that would never be done that way today. I also found it very interesting to read about her position as a career women in the 1930s and her equality/authority over men.

[Ollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. This book was filled with animal stories. The chapters were short so that's great for my attention span.
There's definitely some problematic things that happened, as this was first published in 1940. That being said, I'm surprised there weren't more problematic things here lol.
I read West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge earlier in the year. Rutledge was inspired by Benchley's story of giraffes and wrote West With Giraffes.
After reading that, I wanted to read Benchley's book. I enjoyed the story about the seals getting out of the zoo.

[Cindy Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written and interesting, but very dated view of how animals should be treated in a zoo. Of course, it was published in 1940! Interesting to see how things were done "back in the day", but there were a few times that I just cringed at the inappropriate treatment of animals.

[June Pecchia]

Belle J. Benchley is a woman of courage in the early 20th century, a woman I wish I could have known. So I searched for and bought her hardback memoir. I love the feel and look of this 1940 edition.

Unfortunately, the narration did not hold my attention. I put it aside months ago. It's at arm's reach, but I haven't picked it up again. So I'm listing it as "Read" since I'm abandoning it for now. :-(

[Diana Kullman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 1940 book was listed as a source for the West With Giraffes book. Cute and sad stories about their zoo residents as well as information about building zoo. With a 1940 publication date, this information would include the 1920's and 1930's so it can't be read using 2023 knowledge or heresay about zoos.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belle Benchley's account of her work at the San Diego Zoo.

[Cassandra Rauenhorst · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting look into the near beginnings and life of the San Diego Zoo. Loved this both from a historical standpoint but also as an animal lover. Zoos and animal husbandry have come a long way from the times this was written (thank goodness) but it’s so interesting to read the beginnings of those changes.

[Darla Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just read West with Giraffes, a wonderful book about a man and boy transporting two giraffes from Florida to the San Diego Zoo. This journey is based on a true story and when I read the bibliography My Life in a Man-made Jungle appeared. It was written by Belle J Benchley…a woman who was the head of that zoo for years….and the only female zoo director. Her book was an international success and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing all about the creation of the zoo, the animals and their life stories, her personal interactions with the animals, and a lesson of love. Try it, you will be the better for reading it and enjoy the journey.

[Christie Bane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Belle Benchley was the director of the San Diego Zoo starting in the 1930’s/40’s (I think) at a time when women just weren’t zoo directors. It’s a fascinating though extremely dated (of course) account of running a zoo — the animals they acquired, how they cared for them, the progress they made over the years. Interesting read, but nothing more than that.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as a follow up to go west with giraffes. I wanted to read more about the San Diego zoo, and the lady who became in charge. I especially marked on page 70 the chapter about our elephants.


Page 185 something about polar bears Page 212, transportation around the world

Page 215 talking about bringing two more giraffes to elephants to rhinoceroses, and several other rare animals

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

upon reading West With Giraffes (Rutledge) had to read more about Belle Benchley.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative narrative about the experience of directing the San Diego Zoo. Since Benchley started working there as a bookkeeper in 1925 (although writes that she wasn’t really trained in bookkeeping) and was still there when she wrote the book in 1940, the book covers a number of different topics ranging from animal acquisition, the animal trade, building animal living spaces, relationships with keepers / vets / workers / visitors / fundraising / individual animals and their lives (as well as learning about habitats and successes and problems at other zoos), and some of her responsibilities. She also discusses the growth of the San Diego Zoo. Much of zoo keeping in the early 20th century was based on shows / entertainment although the zoo certainly tried to keep their animals comfortable and healthy so vets and zoo personnel learned a lot about what the animals needed, which certainly led to better facilities and care.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I live in San Diego County, after reading West With Giraffes, I just had to read My Life..., about "The Zoo Lady" who was responsible for getting these giraffes from Africa to San Diego in 1938. She says, "The total cost of feeding our zoo runs into enormous figures. At one time the cost per specimen per month was $.482. With rising costs of foodstuffs, it is now $.78 per specimen per month." That doesn't sound like much but it was in 1940 and there were 3,000 specimens. I borrowed the book from San Diego State University. It was over 80 years old and had the author's autograph in it. I enjoyed the stories about many varied animals and hope to see a Garnett Galago when I go on safari in Africa.