Who this book is for

This book is for readers who care about the planet, wildlife, and particularly elephants. Elephants are extraordinarily intelligent animals who are aligned with humanity in so many ways – family structure, emotional intelligence, memory, wisdom, and even intergenerational trauma. It’s for seekers who are open to exploring their lives through one woman’s story of grief and loss, awe, and wonder. It’s for photographers, armchair travelers, and book lovers, those of us who like to hold a book in our hands, who see books as art.

WHAT’S INSIDE

Funds raised by the sale of this book funded a 3 day conservation camp organized by CHD Conservation Kenya for Maasai girls in Amboseli in 2022.

Amboseli elephant IDs are from © Amboseli Trust for Elephants

TESTIMONIALS FROM ADVANCE READERS

“The Wisdom of Elephants takes us on an odyssey, teaching us how small and deeply interconnected our world is. Kathy’s personal journey and her message is powerful and profound. She reminds us that our own fate is linked to the fate of these magnificent animals and without them, we suffer more than loss of ecosystem health. We suffer a loss of imagination, a loss of wonder, a loss of beautiful possibilities. This beautiful story is for all of us. Kathy weaves together an inspiring message of hope, showing us how we all have the ability to ignite action to shape the world we want to live in.”

— Ami Vitale, National Geographic Photographer, Nikon ambassador

“What a deeply beautiful book this is!  Big heart, big life lessons told so naturally it is like a safari. In addition to her beautiful and evocative photographs of the elephants of Amboseli, Kathy’s book is one of big heart, big life lessons shared bravely and naturally. She invites us on her safari, on her pilgrimage, so that we, too, can feel, see, and hear the gifts these elephants bestowed on her in the tender days after her mother’s passing—so that we, too, can taste their wisdom.”

— Mary Ann Burris, Founder of the Trust for Indigenous Culture and Health, Nairobi, Kenya

“This book is simply the most beautiful moving and authentic work that I've ever had the privilege to read. I am moved beyond words. I thought I knew these elephants but today I feel like they have been introduced to me afresh. Thank you for sharing yourself so beautifully. This book is a gift to Tim and all the elephants of the world. I love it - so many words in this book resonate with me. This is my book.”

— Dr. Winnie Kiiru – Conservationist, Member of the Board of Trustees of The Amboseli Trust.

“I asked Kathy, ‘Are you a keen photographer and interested to see big tuskers?’ She said ‘Yes!’ I asked her, ‘Do you want to see Tim?’ ‘Yes!’ she replied very quickly. ‘Are you ready?’ ‘Yes, let’s go.’ And that is how it started. The three nights we had together were very special and unique because anything that we wanted to see just showed up automatically. It was like someone was communicating with us and directing us cuz to me it was something very new, I am used to driving for kilometres to find the big tuskers, but it was very easy for us.” 

— Julius Memusi Pilipili, Professional Safari Guide and Photographer 

“The Wisdom of Elephants intertwines spectacular photography, the challenges of wildlife conservation, and the importance of storytelling, to raise awareness of the numerous concerns surrounding Africa’s gentle giants. As one turns the pages and begins to identify with the individual elephants, it is clear that Kathy’s career working with trauma survivors set her up well to understand the plight of elephants as they lose their relatives and territory. Kathy’s stunning images of Africa’s last remaining tuskers are an enduring inspiration to those who care about them, and to those who work for their conservation.”  

— Ryan Snider, Ph.D. Director, Socially Responsible Safaris