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World Wild Vet: Encounters in the Animal Kingdom

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A wild look at our natural world for fans of Steve Irwin, James Herriot, and Bear GryllsMillions follow Dr. Evan Antin and his wildlife adventures through social media and on his popular Animal Planet television show Evan Goes Wild. Now in his first book, World Wild Vet, Evan takes us to the deep blue seas, swimming with giant whale sharks with “puppy dog eyes," to jungles filled with venomous snakes (who are more afraid of you than you are of them), to a race across the savannah and against the clock to save rhinos from the clutches of poachersall in the name of adventure and a deep love for the wild around us.Equal parts memoir, travelogue, and conservationist wake up call, World Wild Vet is an unforgettable exploration of the world we all call home and a love letter to the creatures we share it with.

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 27, 2020

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Evan Antin

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
Profile Image for Nursebookie.
2,888 reviews451 followers
January 15, 2021
This book was amazing. I am a huge fan of Dr Evan and really enjoyed this memoir and travelogue experiencing the animal world through his eyes as he takes us through this amazing journey.
Profile Image for Cav.
907 reviews206 followers
January 7, 2021
This one was a really interesting and informative short read. Author Evan Antin is a California-based popular veterinarian and internet personality who works at Conejo Valley Vet Hospital, according to his bio here.

Dr. Evan Antin :
Americas-Sexiest-Veterinarian-Evan-Antin

World Wild Vet details Antin's travel adventures across the World, in search of many different exotic locations and the animals they contain. The book is presented as a collection of short stories, with relevant headers at the top of each. I found the presentation of the book worked in this format. There is sure to be something of interest to almost anyone here.
The audiobook version I have is also read by the author, which is always a nice touch.

Antin visits and writes about the following places here :
1: Australia
2: Tanzania
3: Ecuador
4: Panama
5: Costa Rica
6: Thailand and Cambodia
7: Indonesia
8: Fiji and Tahiti
9: South Africa
10: Uganda
11: Philippines
12: Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo
13: Bahamas

Dr. Antin with a Palawan bearcat :
image

Antin drops many interesting factoids throughout; I enjoyed learning about these obscure bits of info. He talks about otters and poisonous frogs here:
"...I couldn’t help but wonder if the local river otters, who supplement their pescatarian diets with reptiles and amphibians, ever accidentally ingest the poison frogs. After all, there were hundreds of the little toxic bombs near the creek the otter and I were enjoying, just hanging around and looking an awful lot like free food.
The answer, I learned, is a fun one. Even though river otters don’t typically eat poison dart frogs, research has found that when food is scarce, otters do consume even poisonous amphibians without suffering any harm. How do they get away with it?
They skin them. Mother Nature never ceases to blow my mind..."
And scorpions here:
"...I made quick work getting my video, explaining that scorpions live in all types of climates and landscapes. They are one of nature’s hardiest creatures, capable even of slowing their metabolism to a near stop in bad weather or when food is scarce—and then fully recovering afterward..."

Dr. Antin with a slender Loris :
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As a veterinarian, Dr. Antin is a committed animal advocate, and he talks about the trade in exotic animals (legal and illegal), and animal parts here. He mentions the poaching of rhinoceros to fuel traditional medicine in Asia, noting that the rhino horn is made of keratin - the same inert protein that fingernails are made of. He correctly informs the reader that consuming rhino horn is not likely to provide you with any health or medicinal "benifits" above eating your own nail clippings...

Antin also discourages the reader from supporting elephant riding, or any related elephant tourism involving captive elephants, noting the horrible treatment involved in the "breaking" process employed to tame and keep elephants.
He also tries to discourage the ownership of many exotic animals as pets; mentioning that chimpanzees and other small primates do not make for suitable pets.
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Although it made for some great writing, the book details some fairly risky behavior by Antin. There are many close brushes with death recounted here; snake bites, hippo attacks, giraffe kicks, crocodile and orangutan encounters - to name a few. I guess this just comes with the territory of being an exotic animal veterinarian... And like I mentioned, it did make for some great material for the book lol.
cvb

World Wild Vet: Encounters in the Animal Kingdom was a decent book that I really enjoyed. Antin tells these stories well here, and the book has a great "flow" - well, right up to the end, where it ends rather abruptly. Kind of unusual. I had to check my file against the printed version to make sure something was not wrong...
I would definitely recommend this one to anyone interested.
4.5 stars.
Profile Image for melhara.
1,846 reviews90 followers
November 10, 2020
November 9, 2020 - Review

When the publisher reached out to me asking whether or not I wanted to receive a copy of this book to review, I did a little happy dance and spent the week celebrating the joyous occasion.

Clearly, my pet turtle Dai wasn't as excited or impressed.
20201103_185359 (1) (1)

I first heard of Dr. Evan Antin probably around 2016-ish when I saw a Buzzfeed(?) video about him being the world's hottest vet. I quickly checked him out on instagram and loved all the entertaining and educational pictures and videos that he posted. I especially enjoyed his Boner Friday series (as in, his video series about guessing animal bones, duh).

I am happy to report that Dr. Antin's book encompasses all the fun energy, humour, and knowledge that he typically imparts in his social media posts. Every page oozes with sheer joy, passion, and enthusiasm - there is no doubt in my mind that this man absolutely loves reptiles (and all animals in general) and that the jungle is his happy place (he was probably Tarzan or Mowgli in his previous life).

I'm also happy to report that this book contains pictures (YAY!). Not pictures like the one in my pre-review though (boo). Instead, they're mainly pictures related to the travels and animals that Dr. Antin encountered in his many adventures. I'll also add that this book doesn't have nearly as many pictures as I'd hope (especially seeing as the descriptive settings and animals are deserving of extra pictures) but I guess that's what his instagram account is for.

Besides sharing a bunch of interesting facts about various animals, this book also transported me to exotic destinations across the globe - from searching for elusive snakes in the depths of the Amazonian jungle, to bonding with abused elephants in Thailand. Dr. Antin shares many stories about his travels in over 13 different countries across 5 continents. Through it all, he also introduces the readers to species at risk in each of the regions he visits and conservation efforts that are underway to protect these amazing animals.

Reading about Dr. Antin's journey of exploring various countries and sanctuaries from around the world was such an adventure. I couldn't stop smiling for the most part, giggled a few times, and even gasping at the horrors of humanity on a few occasions. I was ultimately left longing to travel and to help with some of the conservation efforts to save endangered species (brb, time to donate to WWF). This book also made me appreciate the efforts of conservationists, as well as volunteers, rangers, vets, and scientists who dedicate their lives and careers to protecting some of these amazing animals. Their passion and dedication has left me awestruck.

tl;dr - Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I really hope Dr. Antin continues with his adventures and research expeditions so that he can write another book sometime soon for me to devour. I most likely won't be visiting any of these places anytime soon, so it was great to be able to meet new animals and travel vicariously through this book.

________________________________
August 27, 2020 - Pre-Review

Kind of hoping this book will be filled with pictures like this one


If you don't know who Dr. Evan Antin is, check out his instagram @dr.evanantin. It's very interesting and educational. Also helps that Dr. Antin is officially America's Sexiest Veterinarian 😍.
Profile Image for Rosario Michelle.
47 reviews4 followers
October 29, 2020
“I’m a firm believer that if you don’t love a creature, you won’t care about conserving it. And if you don’t know it, why would you love it.” -Dr. Evan Antin

You know how you have that one friend with incredible travel stories? You and your group of amigos get together for dinner and over coffee or dessert this one friend starts to tell the story about “the time they did [this crazy thing]” and everyone around the table is just having the time of their lives listening and laughing along? Well, every chapter of this book takes you to “that” moment and Evan is cleary “that” friend. This book reads the way I would imagine Evan talks in his everyday life, making it all the more enjoyable to read.

Evan is a natural storyteller and I loved that he was able to capture his experiences through small, digestible anecdotes filled with colloquial language, humor, lessons, and lots of wildlife and culture. As a world traveler, I enjoyed the literary globetrotting I got to do along with with him.

Some stories (especially at the beginning) do have a bit of a cringe factor (which Evan will admit to as well) as he explains how he has learned the do’s and don’ts of interacting with animals, especially in the wild. However, every story is genuine, filled with love, and has great depth of experience and fun that will leave you wanting to read the next chapter. Where will he go next?

I thoroughly enjoyed the accessible animal fun facts (sometimes accompanied with casual technical term break down - very helpful) and the ease with which Evan paints the landscapes and conveys his emotions and reflections. His passion for wildlife, traveling, education, and conservation are clear and inspiring. I wish the book had pictures to go along with his adventures and stories (which makes me want to rate 4.5 stars), but I was able to find his Instagram account full of stories and videos which helped satisfy that craving.

Whether you are looking at a career in animal care, are a globetrotter, have a passion for conservation, or simply enjoy hearing some great storytelling about animals and nature, you are sure to find something wonderful inside.

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

#WorldWildVet #NetGalley
Profile Image for Noel نوال .
776 reviews41 followers
March 14, 2021
As both an avid animal lover and a certified member of the veterinary profession I love reading stories of people within my field and those who work in wildlife conservation. Steve Irwin and Jane Goodall have been my heroes since I was a child and two of the many reasons I chose to enter the veterinary world. I remember seeing a post on Instagram of a vet commenting on a rhino that had been killed in a wildlife sanctuary park just to have its horn cut off. That vet was Dr. Evan Antin. He is a big inspiration because of the on-the-ground work he does for wildlife conservation and how he uses his platform to educate the world and spread awareness.
This book was a wild ride; a plethora of animals made appearances in the pages of this book as well as funny, heartbreaking, and hope-inducing stories of the animals that touched his heart in his veterinary career. I warn you, reading this book will spark mad travel fever to want to explore the Amazon jungle or the Great Barrier Reef. Dr. Antin is truly living the absolute dream to be able to work to help conserve wild animals. I greatly admire that Dr. Evan Antin is not only very humble, but he also has great respect for other cultures and does not villainize all people who hunt wild animals. Unfortunately due to a number of causes from poverty to war desperation to feed one's family can be the reason someone kills or traps a wild animal for sale. Those individuals are not the reason species become endangered or extinct; it is the huge industries and leaders of these trades that are largely responsible for creating the demand that leads to cruelty and ending so many animal lives. Like in the shark-fin trade many of the industry's main contributors have boats full of enslaved people who were trafficked and forced to partake in the mass killing of our world's sharks. Dr. Evan Antin does a great job both within this book and on his Instagram page to educate people in matters of how you could inadvertently be supporting cruelty, exploitation, or the killing of wild animals. He teaches that if we are part of the reason a species has been led to endangerment it is also our absolute responsibility to do whatever it takes to protect and save that species, and I wholeheartedly agree.
Receiving my first vet school rejection letter this year was rough. It is a highly competitive field to get into academically, but for those of us that love animals with every molecule of our being every rejection and hurdle is absolutely worth it. Reading this book was the big kick in the butt I needed to remind me exactly why a mountain of rejection letters will not stop me from achieving my goal of becoming a veterinarian. This book is wonderful and quite the adventure. I'm proud of the work that Dr. Evan Antin has done and continues to do for the animals of the world.
155 reviews
August 12, 2020
I would like to preface my review by saying that I had never heard of Evan Antin prior to picking up this book, but I was fascinated to read about his experiences with animals around the world. I am extremely happy that I picked this book up.

It has an excellent introduction that really captures the readers attention. Evan Antin uses the introduction to give you a taste of what he will share throughout the book. He tells an anecdote that enthralls the reader, shares what fueled his passion and provides a brief synopsis on what he hopes to accomplish in the future.

The author does a wonderful job using vocabulary to give you a visual picture and also is capable of enhancing the vision by sharing his own sensory experiences. My favorite thing that the author is able to do is his ability to share his awe for the many animals he encounters. When he discusses the first time he swam with loggerhead turtles you will feel a smile break over your face because you can feel his exuberance. There are also many moments throughout the book that tug on your heartstrings. Whether it is the description of friendship between two elephants or the incredible moment of sea turtle hatchlings making their way into the sea for the first time. Each experience is brought to life and shared with the reader.

Part 1 of the book takes you through his semester abroad programs. One in Australia and the other in Tanzania. It was fascinating and at points you wonder how the author is still alive. He was a young adventurer who took great joy in exploring his surroundings. He shares with you both wildlife and cultural experiences that keep the reader intrigued. I personally greatly enjoyed the look at his time with a Maasai family. Hearing about his experiences were educational and informative.

As I traveled with the author through his book I enjoyed the additional comments in parentheses. I felt that these extra tidbits made you feel like he was sharing something extra special with you or letting you in on a side joke. When he talks about going to the Galápagos Islands and how this was like a pilgrimage for him I believe that everyone who is passionate about something will be able to relate. Reading his description reminded me of my own feelings, as a librarian, of traveling to see the Book of Kells in the Old Library at Trinity College in Dublin. I loved that his description was relatable and was able to convey a very specific feeling.


I would recommend this book to a variety of readers because you almost feel like you are sitting down with the author and he is just sharing stories with you. While there is some scientific jargon for the most part he is extremely aware of his audience and does and excellent job speaking to them. For example, when discussing the tortoises on the Galápagos Islands he states “It was like coming face to face with Yoda.” The mix of pop culture and other references that we experience daily brings the stories to life. I am extremely happy that I stopped to read the description and took the chance on reading a author that was new to me.
Profile Image for j.
161 reviews13 followers
August 13, 2023
I know I don’t have the most wordy or well thought out reviews but here’s another! Overall, it was fine, little blurbs about his travels — but I found it leaving much to be desired. I don’t think reiterating how much you love snakes or how athletic you are offers much to the story, but what do I know?
I think learning more about the species would’ve been interesting, I can’t exactly put into words what this book is missing, but it’s there
Profile Image for Aspen Settle.
114 reviews
October 27, 2022
As a vet student, I was excited for this to show the world that is just about to open up to me and the inspiring and cool animal experiences I can look forward to. This was more of just a glorified diary of his travels that was definitely written more for old ladies to swoon over than for those with scientific curiosity to learn from. Big ole meh from me.
Profile Image for Jasmine.
355 reviews
February 22, 2022
Love an animal book but this one was very enjoyable! Loved reading about all the conservation projects and around the world and leaving about all these new species.
Profile Image for Andrew Barnes.
215 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2021
I don't really have the words to explain how this book landed in my life at the most crucial time. As I start a new path into veterinary medicine and try to find my own way, Dr. Evan Antin's words have helped me carve out a path for myself, and reminded me to constantly adjust.
180 reviews3 followers
November 2, 2020
I’ve never heard of Evan prior to reading this book, but I enjoyed following his journeys through it.

The book reads like a travel journal, documenting his trips to different countries, the wildlife he encountered, and other exciting things that happened in his trips.

It is an easy reading book, informative, but with a flair of personal opinion mixed in. He’s not afraid to call himself out for mistakes in his past and often I felt that I would have done the same in certain scenarios.

Overall, a fun read for those that like learning about animals and travel.
Profile Image for Sammi.
1,346 reviews82 followers
November 18, 2020
"And if you're an evolutionary biology student, your professional mecca is the Galapagos Islands...".
^ It's true, I did this same trip when I graduated with my Biology degree.

Ok so this book was awesome! It was very approachable, readable and fun which will help transcend the love of bio to non-bio nerds. Of course if you're a science-nerd already I have no doubt you'll love it.

Do I high-key have a long standing crush on Dr. Evan Antin - yes, obviously. He's a beautiful man with adorable animals & a love for nature! What's not to love. BUT that did not bias my reading experience. I was captivated by how informal and playful this memoir was. He talks about exploring all the different continents and his less than elegant experiences with the creatures he came across. So many of his biology experiences were parallel to mine ( but of course he did it bigger, better and more dramatic). His voice shines through and it is clear that he loves animals and nature. He does amazing things to help the animals and to promote a better understanding of their world. He named dropped a few of my favorite biologists & I always appreciate mutual respect for Leaky's Angels.

Overall I thought this was such a fun memoir which really brings some entertainment to biology (which often times can sound dry). He really paints a lovely picture of the landscapes and the amazing creatures he finds.

I would recommend this to all readers that have a zest for life!

“I’m a firm believer that if you don’t love a creature, you won’t care about conserving it. And if you don’t know it, why would you love it.”

*I received an arc in exchange for an honest review*.
Profile Image for Isabelle.
Author 1 book67 followers
October 20, 2020
World Wild Vet // by Evan Antin

I have to be honest: I've had a bit of a crush on Dr Antin since I first saw him cross my Facebook timeline. I am a former pre-vet student that is still very interested in learning many random facts about many different animals so his show and posts have always intrigued me, though I don't watch enough TV to keep up with him much. When I saw that he was coming out with a book though, I knew I just had to have it!

This probably was my easiest and most fun non-fiction read of 2020 so far and by easy, I don't mean to be rude, but I mean it as a compliment. As a frequent non-fiction reader I come across a lot of heavy books and it is refreshing to have the opposite experience every once in a while. This was exactly that. I've already recommended it to some non-readers due to this as well as it is a book that can be picked up for a few minutes at a time by someone that just does not enjoy reading as much as I do. The book is split into several sections, which are then split unto many very short chapters that focus mostly on specific animals or a specific experience with an animal that may come up more than once. This organization is what makes this book such a quick and easy read as you don't have to allot a lot of time at once with the fear of losing track if you stop in the middle of a chapter.

I really enjoy books that cause me to do my own research and frequently google what I am reading about. No other book has ever made me google so many things as World Wild Vet. I am familiar with a lot of animals, but Dr Antin managed to write about so many that are completely unknown to me. My own studies were mostly focused on domestic animals, though I do enjoy frequent wild animal documentaries, so getting to learn about all of these animals from a wildlife student's and later veterinarian's point of view was absolutely fascinating. I never expected to be so interested in learning about snakes and other creepy crawlies (and even think some of them are cute!) until I got to experience them through this eyes of someone that is so in love with them. While I am still scared or creeped out by the idea of personally handling many of them, I do have a much greater appreciation for them now. He also covers many species that are cute or impressive in a way we usually expect.

From my infrequent encounters on social media of Dr Antin, I did not realize that he was so involved in so many conservation projects. It is fascinating what researchers, volunteers, park rangers and conservationists are capable of doing for the survival of a species when they put their heart and soul into it. I fell in love with so many of these projects and people after learning about their dedication to the animals that are left vulnerable due to the cruelty and irresponsibility of humans. While their was not enough time for Dr Antin to go into deep detail about each project he was a part of, he still shows us enough to know how to find out more. We are already planning on donating to several of these organizations due to the way he conveys his confidence in them through this book.

If you are an animal lover in any way, shape or form, I highly recommend this read. It is fun, it is educational, and it is needed. I only wish he would have ended the book in a different way. It felt very abrupt and I did not realize it was ending even while reading the last chapter. It just stopped. I think some more explanations about how to get involved or something else to round it out would have been nice. Overall though, I absolutely adore this book!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
Profile Image for Edwina Book Anaconda.
2,059 reviews75 followers
May 1, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book, free of charge, in exchange for an honest review.

This book is written with so much heart that you can feel Dr. Antin's love for animals coming through on each and every page.
Educational, and fascinating to the point that makes it close to impossible to put down, it also had me in tears - more than once.

These are stories that will stay with the reader long after the last page has been turned.
Highly recommended!!!
Profile Image for Taylor Michalski.
70 reviews1 follower
April 15, 2022
If you like reading about travel and wildlife this is the perfect combo. Has a nice amount of vet med sprinkled in too. I think Evan and I could definitely be kindred spirits. Picking places to travel based on what wildlife can be observed/interacted with, desire to work in wildlife/exotic vet med and traveling all over the globe, I highly enjoyed reading about his adventures and experiences, with a healthy dose of envy.
Profile Image for Taylor Royce.
109 reviews1 follower
February 27, 2021
I've always enjoyed following Dr Antin on social media and this book was a fun little insight on his adventures. I will say if you watched the series on Animal Planet, you know exactly what's in this book. That made it a little underwhelming for me. Still enjoyed this quick read.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
635 reviews20 followers
June 5, 2021
Library Biography #69

Reads like a memoir with a few facts about the various animals Dr. Antin has encountered. Enjoyable read.

I appreciated how the book was written, with each chapter being about a different place in the world he has visited and explored.

The book could have benefited from some more photos of the animals he was discussing, even if they weren't his own.
Profile Image for Heather.
274 reviews5 followers
November 5, 2020
The book and stories within are good. I am now a follower of his Instagram page and a fan of his work.
Profile Image for Angela's Booked.
740 reviews45 followers
July 25, 2021
This book is full of wildlife adventures and encounters my kid self would have KILLED for. Dr. Antin literally lives my childhood dream.
As a future veterinarian, it is utterly humbling to think that I, too, could also have future experiences like him…experiences that I never thought would be possible for me.
Profile Image for Kayla OGrady.
4 reviews1 follower
February 18, 2025
I loved this book! For anybody who loves animals, travel, and learning about both, this memoir is an excellent read. I learned so much and enjoyed the sense of adventure Dr. Antin brings to life with the vivid descriptions recalling his fondest animal encounters all over the world. Definitely a read to add to your collection of memoirs, and especially if you love those that focus on travel.
Profile Image for Erika Baughn.
395 reviews5 followers
February 16, 2021
This book was hard for me to really get in to since I am not a huge snake and reptile fan. But when he talked about the gorillas and giraffes I was all in.
Profile Image for Ashley Griffiths.
8 reviews
July 22, 2024
I won an e-book back in 2020 of this, and I have read it at least twice! I love how Dr.Antin explains scientific literature to a general audience, which makes you feel included (although I am a scientist myself). Each chapter was fascinating to read. How he had worked hard to get to Australia, study, and explore the country. Volunteering in Central America and East Asia. It is definitely a book that can inspire anyone to work in the field of ecology, conservation, and any of the natural sciences.
Profile Image for Jessica.
75 reviews9 followers
August 30, 2020
***I received a copy through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.***

I’ve been a fan of Dr. Antin for years and was thrilled to receive an advanced copy of his upcoming book. His ability to educate and inspire through social media is respected. But reading about his experiences was terrific.
I’ve worked in conservation for several years and I related wholeheartedly to Evan’s desire to engage with wildlife, educate people, and ultimately protect some of the world’s rarest creatures.
Evan’s personality and excitement is so prominent in this book, and I’m grateful that it was storytelling and not just a facts on paper.
I was a huge fan of his experiences being told in short segments, it made reading this really easy and entertaining.
Being a conservationist, the only thing I would change about this book would be educating readers about more of the threats these species face and what we can do to help. The end of this book was a little abrupt too. Overall, this was a great and inspiring read.
Profile Image for Thomas Kelley.
441 reviews13 followers
July 27, 2020
Evan Antin is an animal lover, world traveler, conservationist, TV and Instagram star along with oh yeah a veterinarian. Not just any Vet but a world wide vet. Who documents his travels in this book. The first half of this book covers his travels around the world be graduating from college, on this trips his goal is to meet or see various birds, animals, and reptiles and water creatures also but his first love is the reptiles. The second have of this book is after he receives his papers stating that he is a Vet and travels around the world to help with conservation efforts and various animal issues with animals that are not common in a Vet's office including a Orangutan who swallowed ritalin pills. This was a pretty good read even though there were times that the author was pretty full of himself. I would rate this book at 3.75 stars. Thank you to Netgalley and Henry Holt and Company for an ARC copy for a fair an honest review.
Profile Image for Whitney.
55 reviews11 followers
May 11, 2021
I'm pretty sure that almost no one has lived a more interesting adventurous life than this guy. Parts of it had me seriously regretting my choice to go into human medicine instead of becoming the wildlife veterinarian my younger self wanted to be. 90% pep talk and 10% conservation encouragement, this is a light, interesting read that put many new adventures on my bucket list. I wish he would have written a little more about his schooling and his pathway into such a unique field of veterinary medicine as well as just his cool travel adventures.
Profile Image for Neil Plakcy.
Author 238 books650 followers
September 16, 2020
I loved these brief encounters between vet Evan Antin and wildlife around the world. He's so enthusiastic about everything from sharks to snakes to gorillas that you can't help but be pulled along.

The book is very well-written, with lots of descriptions of the animals and their behavior, so that you feel a part of the action. Antin's charm is very evident, as is his passion for saving animals of all types and under all circumstances.
27 reviews
November 27, 2022
I won this print book in a giveaway and appreciate the opportunity to read and review it.
Profile Image for Jathan Fink.
100 reviews6 followers
December 26, 2020
Like so many other animal lovers, we’ve enjoyed watching veterinarian Evan Antin share his adventures with all creatures great and small on Instagram. Whether he’s treating domestic pets at the veterinary hospital where he works or is globetrotting to save an endangered species, he’s always got something new and interesting to share. Now he’s published a book all about his encounters in the animal kingdom called World Wild Vet, and it offers us a fun and fascinating look at both the wildlife he’s met and the career he’s built for himself.

Evan is one of those rare social media sensations who seems genuinely real and approachable. Sure, he has plenty of fans who believe he’s the world’s sexiest vet. But he isn’t defined by his Hollywood worthy good looks and chiseled physique. Instead, he’s quickly become one of the world’s leading animal advocates, and he uses his popularity to educate and introduce us to the critters he’s so passionate about.

But he didn’t start out as someone who was comfortable in front of the camera. That comfort level developed over time, with plenty of trial and error. Instead, the Kansas City native began as boy who was just crazy about animals of all shapes and sizes, but particularly the cold-blooded kind: lizards, snakes, and insects. We can only imagine the stories his mother has to share about all the animals he brought home, which is one of the reasons I can’t help but draw a parallel between Evan and Gerry Durrell, recently portrayed by Milo Parker in Masterpiece Theatre’s The Durrells in Corfu. Both are so innately fascinated by nature, their enthusiasm for the topic is infectious.

Infectious or not, that compulsion to investigate the world around him, to meet and interact with all kinds of animals has at times put Evan in peril, more than once. Like his hero, the late Steve Irwin, Evan dives head first into nature (and I mean this quite literally) without regard to his personal safety in many cases, in an effort to learn, explore, and expand his knowledge about every animal under the sun. And this book showcases those adventures as they unfold, sometimes with a guide, other times with rescue organizations, and other times he simply throws his video equipment in a car and heads out into the unknown all on his own.

Reading World Wild Vet is an enthralling experience, in part because Evan writes the way he talks, with immediacy and passion, along with plenty of awe and self deprecating humor. He is definitely self aware enough to know that others oftentimes see him as nuts (like the safari guide who was not about to stick around for them to get trampled by an angry elephant). But after reading this book, I love his eager enthusiasm even more. From his videos I’ve always known he has a very playful side, which is fun to watch. But now, more than ever, Evan reminds me of an adorable Labrador who never tires of chasing after a ball or begging others to play with him or rub his belly, except in Evan’s case the ones he wants most to engage with are all the species of wildlife out there that he can’t wait to meet. As he says himself, sometimes he’s like a dog who is always distracted by the next squirrel to cross his path.

In a time when we’re all struggling to shelter in place, this is the perfect book to curl up with for a few hours and escape within its pages. Not only does it help us forget the world’s current health crisis for a while, but it educates us and opens our eyes to all the great and wonderful possibilities that lay in wait for us in the future, if we’re only willing to accept nature’s open invitation to explore them. It’s a book that may be equal parts travelogue and memoir, but largely it’s just a huge love letter to nature and all the wildlife that Evan loves. With World Wild Vet, Evan reveals that he is a fantastic and very capable writer, one who leaves us smiling and eager to plan adventures of our own (which is why we’re so proud this is our 12th diamond reviewed book). Mostly though, Evan proves his mettle as a vet and animal advocate, and I for one can’t wait to see where his wanderlust takes him next. If I’ve learned anything reading this book, it’s this: you may take the boy out of Kansas, but no matter how big he grows, he’ll always be the same sweet kid with the Cheshire grin and a critter in his palms. Enjoy!

As originally published at JathanandHeather.com
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118 reviews
February 5, 2021
This book was fun, enlightening, and easy to read.

What I liked
Dr Antin's travels take him to a variety of unusual locations all around the world, including:

1: Australia
2: Tanzania
3: Ecuador
4: Panama
5: Costa Rica
6: Thailand and Cambodia
7: Indonesia
8: Fiji and Tahiti
9: South Africa
10: Uganda
11: Philippines
12: Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo
13: Bahamas

He does a good job setting the tone and mood of what each place was like. I found myself wishing I was brave enough to travel around the world. Some of the things he did were dangerous, but he always owned up to his mistakes and each incident made compelling material for the book. For example, as a teenager, he foolishly handled a copperhead snake and paid for his mistake with a bite on the nose.

The best part about this book is how Dr Antin's infectious love of the natural world shines through so vividly. He's a compassionate, curious, and humble man. It's very easy to fall in love with the places and animals he describes...and also with him. [I have a bit of a crush on him. Don't judge me!] He approaches every new adventure, animal, and culture with respect and enthusiasm. As an example, at one point he had the opportunity to stay with a Maasai tribe. Their ritual of welcoming new-comers involved some stuff that would have turned my stomach: they suffocate a goat, then cut it open, before finally ripping the blood clots out of it. They then gave the clots to Dr Antin to eat. The clots are considered a gift of high esteem, so he bit back his feelings on the matter and graciously accepted it. I don't think I could have done that to be honest, but he understood how important such a thing is in their culture.



The message of conservation, of marveling at the wonders in the natural world, felt wholesome for the most part. There were darker elements to the book, such as the horrors that some elephants go through. The story of the enslaved elephant who had a miscarriage and was then beaten until she went blind really broke my heart. Through it all, though, Dr Antin is optimistic and shows that a better, more responsible world is possible. Below is a photo of two elephant friends from the sanctuary Dr Antin visited. Their story really touched me.



The format of the book feels like a collection of short stories. The writing style is simple and conversational. These two things make diving in and reading one or two sections quick and easy.




What I did NOT like
Nitpicky, but I wish there were more photos. I found myself googling some animals to find out what they looked like. Glossy full color photos are expensive, though, and it didn't detract too much from the rest of the book.

The conclusion was so abrupt my immediate reaction was to wonder if my library copy was missing a page.

Conclusion

Highly recommended to those who love travelogues and non-fiction about animals.
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