Elephantoms : Tracking the Elephant

by Lyall Watson

"As a child in South Africa, spending summers exploring the wild with his boyhood friends, Lyall Watson came face to face with his first elephant. From that moment on, Watson's fascination grew into a lifelong obsession with understanding the nature and behavior of this impressive creature. Around the world, the elephant - at once a symbol of spiritual power and physical endurance - has been worshipped as a god and hunted for sport. In this captivating portrait of the elephant, Watson draws from scientific research, anthropological studies, and personal experience to document the animal's wide-ranging capabilities to remember and to mourn; and he reminds us of its rich mythic origins, its evolution, and its devastation in recent history." Part meditation on an elusive animal, part evocation of the power of place, Elephantoms presents an alluring mix of the mysteries of nature and the wonders of childhood.

Genres: Nonfiction, Africa, Science, Animals, History, South Africa, Nature

Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Lyall Watson was a South African botanist, zoologist, biologist, anthropologist, ethologist, and author of many new age books, among the most popular of which is the best seller Supernature. Lyall Watson tried to make sense of natural and supernatural phenomena in biological terms. He is credited with the first published use of the term "hundredth monkey" in his 1979 book, Lifetide. It is a hypothesis that aroused both interest and ire in the scientific community and continues to be a topic of discussion over a quarter century later.

He was born in Johannesburg as Malcolm Lyall-Watson. He had an early fascination for nature in the surrounding bush, learning from Zulu and !Kung bushmen. Watson attended boarding school at Rondebosch Boys' High School in Cape Town, completing his studies in 1955. He enrolled at Witwatersrand University in 1956, where he earned degrees in botany and zoology, before securing an apprenticeship in palaentology under Raymond Dart, leading on to anthropological studies in Germany and the Netherlands. Later he earned degrees in geology, chemistry, marine biology, ecology and anthropology. He completed a doctorate of ethology at the University of London, under Desmond Morris. He also worked at the BBC writing and producing nature documentaries.

Around this time he shortened his name to Lyall Watson. He served as director of the Johannesburg Zoo, an expedition leader to various locales, and Seychelles commissioner for the International Whaling Commission.

In the late 1980s he presented Channel 4's coverage of sumo tournaments.

Lyall Watson began writing his first book, Omnivore during the early 1960s while under the supervision of Desmond Morris, and wrote more than 20 others.

Reviews

[Elentarri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lyall Watson has produced a lyrical book that is a blend of memoir, history and science - all revolving around elephants.  Watson starts off with his childhood, exploring nature and stumbling upon an elephant.  This was to be a defining moment of his life, leading him to become an ethologist (amongst other things).  His reminiscence about his elephant and !Kung bushman encounter was particularly fascinating.  The fate of elephants, especially the culling and hunting, just made me angry.  The information about elephant behaviour was also interesting, but if you want more (and updated) information about elephants and elephant behaviour, you should find a more recently published book.  The last chapter of the book delves into a fair amount of speculation on Watson's part, which was fun, but would probably have any die-hard scientists rolling their eyes (he may have a point for some of it though).

[Jill Boniske · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love elephants this is required reading. It also happens to be a wonderful autobiography... with elephants... in Africa.

[Claire Berry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the start of this book and his reminiscing as a child, living free and exploring the great outdoors, and then stumbling upon an elephant! But like many other reviewers have mentioned, towards the end it got very science-y / waffly / went off on tangents and had me thinking "just get to the point already!" I love reading about elephants and elephant behavior but if that is what you are looking for, there are better books out there (in my opinion) that than this one. I did love reading about the Knynsa though and got a little thrill when it touched briefly on the forest wood cutters - who'd I'd read about in Circles in a Forest by Dalene Matthee (another great book on elephants!).

[Ross Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the more exceptional books I have ever read. The consciousness of elephants is extraordinary and generally dismissed because they are animals. Lyall grew up with them and speaks eloquently to their power. Well worth your time to read!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an amazing true story and gave me an incredible insight into not only elephants but the author's experiences with them. Watson writes like a poet, with emotion coloring his memories. It's a true shame he is no longer with us.

[Darla Ebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a bizarrely interesting and absolutely fascinating approach to a book about elephants! The author has a unique style that segues between and among the history of and facts concerning elephants, these interspliced with his own experiences in the Bush, in Africa. Along with the elephant stories and concerns about elephant-extinction, Watson details his meetings and collected elephant knowledge from an authentic, real-life "Bushman".

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far I am impressed. This is a book that I am reading for my bookclub (who generally pick heavy literature) so I always enter a book selection with much trepidation. However, I marvel at how engaging this non-fiction book about the history of the elephants is. The author is very lyrical. I will report back after finishing the book!

[Sharon Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much to love about this book; most likely you are already an 'elephant-lover' if you decide to read this; afterward, you will actually be 'in love' with them! Love that scientist/naturalist Lyall Watson is a gifted writer, and that he weaves pre-history, evolution, botany.....you name it ....into a most readable book.

[Zoë · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book immediately drew me into it and I eagerly read and could not put it down! Then I came to the last part and my interest began to wane as the writing became more circuitous, conjecture-filled, and less authentic. The tender story of the beginning devolves into something so amorphous it is hard to follow. Also a map would be a definite plus, at least on the inside cover!

[Julia Pendery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fascinating. Author ends up studying elephants but he starts in early 1950s and how he grew up in Southern Africa and was allowed with his friends to live wild and forage on the beach for the summers at age ten. Goes through his life’s research and the wonderful (sometimes famous) scientists he worked with. I loved it.

[Jojo · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most magical books I have ever read. Part history, autobiography, science and magic, I was composing my letter of thanks to the author when I was about 1/4 of the way through. Was gutted to discover that he had died and that he had lived on my little island!! In keeping with his book, I have thanked him in spirit :)

[Stormy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a most informative, heart rending, and yet hopeful book about elephants. The anecdotes of elephant encounters from his childhood and young adulthood are magical, descriptive and full of love for the creatures. A good book.

[Saz Gee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had written this book, it says everything I could ever want to about elephants and our reaction to them: "They shuffle through our lives, keeping grave appointments at the other end of the world".

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

After spending many years in South Africa and indeed visiting a place called Strandloper- this book made my heart sing. A young group of strand lopers learn not only how to survive on the beach but all about Elephants.

[Taylin Pienaar ❁ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best books I've ever read. I cried, I laughed, I felt angry, I felt overwhelmed with joy and overall it was just a wonderful book. It made my love of elephants grow even bigger.

[Bekki Shining Bearheart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came to Goodreads today to find this book- and got caught up in all of the other things Lyall Watson has written. I have never found a book of his I didn't care for- but have not read all of them. I have to say this one is probably my favorite. The story of the elephant and the whale must be one of the most poignant, magical and meaningful stories that ever was. I love the blend of poetry, science, insight and wonder that he brought to each book he wrote.
Today I read this article, and I'm sure it would not surprise Lyall Watson at all.
"Wild African elephants address each other with name-like calls, a rare ability among nonhuman animals, according to a new study. Researchers used machine learning to confirm that elephant calls contained a name-like component identifying the intended recipient, a behavior they suspected based on observation. The study suggests elephants do not imitate the receiver's call to address one another but instead use arbitrary vocal labels like humans. "
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...

[Brenda · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were parts of this book that were kindof interesting but as a whole, I just couldn’t stay engaged with the storyline so I was unable to finish. I know others that really liked this book, so maybe it’s just me, and quite possible that if I picked up at another time when I was in a different frame of mind I’d enjoy it more, but it was not one of my better books this year.

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strange book of one man’s relationship and life with elephants which includes his thoughts, facts and interactions with other people who share a similar connection. It creates a connection within you too which I didn’t know I had. Something about this book just sang to a part of my soul that I didn’t know was there. Beautiful and a great find in a random place.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew there was so much factual/mythical/just like people stuff to know about elephants? An intriguing look at elephants and some new (to me) science to explain some of the more woo-woo mysteries. Intriguing. Good for book club discussion.

[John Ulferts · Rating 4 out of 5]

A haunting and highly unusual book - it is more of a memoir than a book on elephants but its beautiful prose makes it well worthwhile.

[Renée · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was in my 20’s and it left a lasting impression on me. It was beautifully written and rang true, every step of the way.

[Sophia Sigstedt · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books; so well written and you discover the most amazing things about elephants 🐘!

[Colleen Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this ramble through everything elephant. Sad, poignant, funny in places, but thought provoking every step of the way.

[Maiko Morii · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not familiar to Lyall Watson's fame.
At least I like this book overflowed for love elephants.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

More a personal meditation on than a strict natural history of elephants, author Lyall Watson traces back his interest in them to a free-roaming childhood on the South African Cape coast of a couple of generations ago. His concern is not only with the elephant itself but also our perceptions and interactions with them both in reality and in thought. He compares the additional sensory powers that elephants and other animals possess to our own. He also examines the ability of the elephant to survive as a species despite our devastating impact upon them. An entertaining read for the lay reader and naturalist alike.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

While beautifully written, this book was more about Watson's personal journey and the development of his ideas than it was about elephants, which was my main interest in reading it. The book is rich in detail and fascinating anecdote about elephants, but presented in a way that you must read and find them like treasures rather than having an organized set of chapters that might lead you directly to them. A map of the regions Watson describes so wonderfully would also have been welcome, along with an evolutionary timeline.

[Counsel182 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watson writes a very fine and timely narrative-- given the recent abhorrent slaughter of Cecil the lion--about elephants weaving in childhood memories with scientific and historical facts that made for enjoyable reading. He does however stray from the path--if you will--when he talks towards the end of the book of these possible "supernatural' aspects involving these marvelous animals.

[Kim Stallwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not about elephants, as I thought, but it's a book about the author, Lyall Watson, and his relationship with elephants. Although it is very well written and is interesting at times, I found Elephantoms to be a work irrelevant to my needs for my research on elephants. Which isn't to say it's a bad book -- just one that didn't work for me.

[anna marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was lovely, imaginative and interesting at the beginning, but by the end, I felt too bogged down by all the science, so the story was sort of fragmented and cluncky, rather than smooth, like it was at the start.

[Hulananni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Believe it or not

I like elephants and found this work of non-fiction fascinating. If you've been 'up close', i.e. with no zoo bars between you and the elephant you will find the story believable and thrilling. If you haven't.....you should do so while you can.