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The Great Safari: The Lives of George and Joy Adamson, Famous for Born Free
An intimate portrait of George and Joy Adamson captures the dramatic lives of the couple famous for Born Free and shows their turbulent relationship within the fascinating and dangerous landscape of Kenya. 35,000 first printing. $20,000 ad/promo.
465 pages, Hardcover
First published September 23, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 26, 2020
It is very unusual subject matter,the lives of a couple who lived in the African bush,with lions.
George and Joy Adamson were first made famous by the book,Born Free and its movie adaptation and later wrote many other books as well.
Born Free conveyed a very glamourised and romanticized image of the activities of the couple to the world.This book is the work of one of their former editors,Adrian House,who knew the couple well and relied on their diaries,which they had kept meticulously over the decades.
The picture that emerges is that of a troubled relationship,with lots of ups and downs.They were childless and "adopted" a lion cub,Elsa whose mother,George had been forced to shoot.
After raising her for a few years,they released her in the wild.But Joy Adamson,in a stroke of marketing genius,decided to write a book about it.She had lots of photographs,too.A leading publisher found it very exciting and the book met worldwide success.They were soon offered a movie deal.
But Joy Adamson did not share her considerable newfound wealth with her husband,George.Instead,she contemplated divorce more than once but never went aheead with it.She raised a lot more money for the rehabilitation of lions and even raised cheetahs and leopards.
On his part,George Adamson's life was even more daring.He moved to a remote part of Kenya and practically treated lions as his pets.Pictures show him surrounded by lions.
But accidents were inevitable.He got mauled himself,as did his employees and visitors.In one particularly tragic case,his favourite lion killed a man.George was forced to shoot the lion.He was criticized for putting human lives in danger,and the criticism was justified.
Both husband and wife met tragic,unnatural deaths.They flirted with danger,but they were not killed by wild animals.Instead,their killers were human.
An unforgettable story,which I found fascinating as well as off-putting.
George and Joy Adamson were first made famous by the book,Born Free and its movie adaptation and later wrote many other books as well.
Born Free conveyed a very glamourised and romanticized image of the activities of the couple to the world.This book is the work of one of their former editors,Adrian House,who knew the couple well and relied on their diaries,which they had kept meticulously over the decades.
The picture that emerges is that of a troubled relationship,with lots of ups and downs.They were childless and "adopted" a lion cub,Elsa whose mother,George had been forced to shoot.
After raising her for a few years,they released her in the wild.But Joy Adamson,in a stroke of marketing genius,decided to write a book about it.She had lots of photographs,too.A leading publisher found it very exciting and the book met worldwide success.They were soon offered a movie deal.
But Joy Adamson did not share her considerable newfound wealth with her husband,George.Instead,she contemplated divorce more than once but never went aheead with it.She raised a lot more money for the rehabilitation of lions and even raised cheetahs and leopards.
On his part,George Adamson's life was even more daring.He moved to a remote part of Kenya and practically treated lions as his pets.Pictures show him surrounded by lions.
But accidents were inevitable.He got mauled himself,as did his employees and visitors.In one particularly tragic case,his favourite lion killed a man.George was forced to shoot the lion.He was criticized for putting human lives in danger,and the criticism was justified.
Both husband and wife met tragic,unnatural deaths.They flirted with danger,but they were not killed by wild animals.Instead,their killers were human.
An unforgettable story,which I found fascinating as well as off-putting.
February 28, 2023
Fascinating look at these 2 people, a very detailed biography. Perhaps a bit too much side information that I had to skim over. Still learned a lot about their lives in Africa.
April 11, 2008
Very enlightening look at the couple behind the Born Free phenomenon. If you've only ever read Born Free or seen the movie, you have not idea of the suffering these two people endured in their lives to bring conservation and other animal issues to the forefront from the 1940's to the 1980's.
This joint biography traces the long and turbulent travels of George and Joy from their childhoods to their fateful meeting on Christmas in 1942 to their bizarre murders years later. Using actual letters and entries from each of their diaries, Adrian House creates a picture of two complex people caught up in a difficult marriage.
Before reading this I had no idea Joy Adamson was such a disturbed woman throughout her life (it was quite before my time actually.) She was decietful, petulant, and just downright mean at times. It is amazing to me that George never divorced her!
All things considered however, both Joy and George loved animals and realized the need to conserve them in their natural habitats. Each of them were of clear and unwavering vision, as well as tremendous energy, tenacity and courage. This book is an extremely well-rounded account of both George and Joy and their turbulent lives together.
This is an exceptional read for anyone who is interested in Africa, animals, art, history, or human relationships. I highly recommend it!
This joint biography traces the long and turbulent travels of George and Joy from their childhoods to their fateful meeting on Christmas in 1942 to their bizarre murders years later. Using actual letters and entries from each of their diaries, Adrian House creates a picture of two complex people caught up in a difficult marriage.
Before reading this I had no idea Joy Adamson was such a disturbed woman throughout her life (it was quite before my time actually.) She was decietful, petulant, and just downright mean at times. It is amazing to me that George never divorced her!
All things considered however, both Joy and George loved animals and realized the need to conserve them in their natural habitats. Each of them were of clear and unwavering vision, as well as tremendous energy, tenacity and courage. This book is an extremely well-rounded account of both George and Joy and their turbulent lives together.
This is an exceptional read for anyone who is interested in Africa, animals, art, history, or human relationships. I highly recommend it!
July 23, 2007
Excellent biography, lots of detailed sources (journals, letters and photos) telling the story of a rocky romance that only ever really worked when Joy and George were on safari together; a relationship built on lions.
Still, I probably should have read "Born Free" first. Will do that.
Still, I probably should have read "Born Free" first. Will do that.
March 29, 2010
Adrian's House book on the complicated and fascinating lives of George and Joy Adamson is a must read for anyone who admires the adventurous spirit of the Adamsons. Mr. House's ability to describe the flora, fauna, landscape, political upheavals, as well as the delicate balance of a turbulent relationship is astounding.
I am very pleased to now know that Mr. House has also written a book about St. Francis of Assisi, since this particular saint is near and dear to my heart as an avid animal lover. I'll have to put that on my list of books to read after I finish The Great Safari.
If you love adventure, wildlife, and the lure of Africa, you've got to read The Great Safari. It's a book that I don't want to finish, because I feel as though I'm along for the adventure of a lifetime.
What lead me to order the book from Amazon is that I'm a longtime fan of George Adamson and am travelling myself to Africa this summer, to work with lions. I thought that reading a book about Mr. Adamson's life and Africa in general would somehow prepare me for my trip. I have a feeling I'll fall in love with Africa and Africa's wildlife, just as the Adamsons did.
I am very pleased to now know that Mr. House has also written a book about St. Francis of Assisi, since this particular saint is near and dear to my heart as an avid animal lover. I'll have to put that on my list of books to read after I finish The Great Safari.
If you love adventure, wildlife, and the lure of Africa, you've got to read The Great Safari. It's a book that I don't want to finish, because I feel as though I'm along for the adventure of a lifetime.
What lead me to order the book from Amazon is that I'm a longtime fan of George Adamson and am travelling myself to Africa this summer, to work with lions. I thought that reading a book about Mr. Adamson's life and Africa in general would somehow prepare me for my trip. I have a feeling I'll fall in love with Africa and Africa's wildlife, just as the Adamsons did.
March 2, 2010
I love the movie Born Free and think maybe someday a future daughter could be my Elsa, so naturally I wanted to learn all about the Adamson's who raised Elsa. I wish I didn't, some things are better left to the imagination. Plus this book was really boring. The biographer plods along like an elephant munching on tree bark. He took out all the charm that was in the movie and added a lot of long-winded side information.
February 15, 2012
This is a very different take on the lives of George and Joy Adamson - it is written by a man who knew them, and he also uses diaries and interviews with others that knew them, it is a riveting read. It is a biography on both of them, and is very credible, and their love of the animals of Africa, and their devotion to them, shows, even though some of the things they do may seem wrong by today's standards. Certainly a book that anyone interested in Africa, history or wild animals should read.
August 6, 2011
Great book about the Adamsons written by someone who knew and obviously respected them both. There are few home truths about Joy and her infidelities and the 'picture perfect couple' portrayed by the film Born Free is shattered! If anyone is interested in the lives of the Adamsons and the various animals that inhabited their lives, this is a great book
March 1, 2013
This is a detailed, readable, and objective biography of the Adamson couple.
I have nothing negative to say about this book. It is well-written from beginning to end.
I wish every biographer researched and wrote as well ad Adrian House.
I have nothing negative to say about this book. It is well-written from beginning to end.
I wish every biographer researched and wrote as well ad Adrian House.
May 20, 2012
The best book I have read about the Adamsons!!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews