| Description |
xiv, 343 pages : illustrations, maps ; 21 cm |
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text txt rdacontent |
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unmediated n rdamedia |
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volume nc rdacarrier |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 297-328) and index. |
| Summary |
"In 1920, Billy Williams came to colonial Burma as a "forest man" for a British teak company. Mesmerized by the intelligence and character of the great animals who hauled logs through the jungle, he became a gifted "elephant wallah". In Elephant Company, Vicki Constantine Croke chronicles Williams's growing love for elephants as the animals provide him lessons in courage, trust, and gratitude. Elephant Company is also a tale of war and daring. When Japanese forces invaded Burma in 1942, Williams joined the elite British Force 136 and operated behind enemy lines. His war elephants carried supplies, helped build bridges, and transported the sick and elderly over treacherous mountain terrain. As the occupying authorities put a price on his head, Williams and his elephants faced their most perilous test. Elephant Company, cornered by the enemy, attempted a desperate escape: a risky trek over the mountainous border to India, with a bedraggled group of refugees in tow. Part biography, part war epic, Elephant Company is an inspirational narrative that illuminates a little-known chapter in the annals of wartime heroism"--Back cover. |
| Bibliography |
Includes index. |
| Contents |
Part One: The making of an elephant wallah. The shoulders of a giant ; Into the jungle ; Meeting the boss--and the elephants ; Initiation rites ; How to read an elephant ; The fairest tusker of them all ; The burning boss ; Sex, cricket, and blue cheese ; School for men and elephants ; Drunk on testosterone ; Master class in trust and courage ; The jungle family has no wife ; "The murder of me" ; Bandoola : hero or rogue? ; A murder investigation ; Rebels and reunions -- Part Two: Love and elephants. Tiger hour ; The cannibal islands ; Sunlight and shadow ; Into the cauldron -- Part Three: War elephants. Fleeing Burma ; No. 1 war elephant ; The making of Elephant Bill ; Elephant Company hits its stride ; A crazy idea ; The elephant stairway. |
| Subject |
Williams, J. H. (James Howard), 1897-1958.
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World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Burma.
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Elephant Company (Great Britain)
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Bandoola (Elephant)
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Animals in logging -- Burma -- History -- 20th century.
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Asiatic elephant -- Burma -- History -- 20th century.
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Working elephants -- Burma -- History -- 20th century.
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Animals -- War use -- History -- 20th century.
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Burma -- History -- Japanese occupation, 1942-1945.
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| Added Title |
Inspiring story of an unlikely hero and the animals who helped him save lives in World War II |
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Jeheskel (Hezy) Shoshani Library Endowed Collection.
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Elephant Research Foundation Library.
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| ISBN |
0812981650 (paperback) |
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9780812981650 (paperback) |
| OCLC # |
908450272 |
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