Ahhh, thank you so much! I tell you, Africa just embeds itself in your heart and never lets go. I can barely write or talk about it without getting all misty-eyed. It's funny, you go to Africa for the wildlife...but the people are what truly capture your heart. Or at least, they did in my case. We were in a remote camp in Rungwa West game reserve, four hours from the nearest village. We had 21 people (representing 6 different tribes), seeing to our every need. They were a close-knit group who warmly adopted us into their fold. I became especially attached to Lilian our game scout. She spoke good English and taught me SOOO much...including a lot of Swahi! Fortunately, thanks to the sorcery of the internet, we are still good friends today. In fact, she helped with the book. Her young mind is like a steel trap. If I couldn't remember a detail of the safari, she was just an internet click away. In Cries of the Savanna, I take readers on the journey with me to experience the wonder and peril as I experience it. Then I weave in the conservation facts as I learn myself. I also bring to life the people I came to love, hoping that they will form an attachment, ultimately caring about what happens to them. Once I get non-hunters to read the book, they are blown away by what they learn and typically walk away with an entirely different perspective. Since the backdrop is a big game hunting safari, the hard part is getting them to read it in the first place...but I am working hard to get into as many hands as possible. Here is one of my favorite Amazon reviews from a non-hunter:
"When I first picked up "Cries of the Savanna", I fancied myself an "activist" of sorts. I was very against hunting, ESPECIALLY in Africa. I heard all sorts of tales about terrible cruelty, and I even knew someone who had a "trophy room" of animals he had poached. It completely disgusted me. With a bit of a chip on my shoulder, I cracked open "Cries of the Savanna" with a sneer on my lips and judgement all prepared to flow.
What I wasn't prepared for, was how Sue Tidwell would take me on an emotional roller coaster, or the education I would receive. Not only did Sue make me laugh, and at times cry, with her memories of her youth, and her adventures in Africa, she educated me on the people and animals that live there. I honestly hadn't considered Africa's people, or how living with the animals we admire and almost revere would affect them. As a bonus, I learned about animals I thought I knew, and some I hadn't even heard of. I found myself holding my breath right along with her as the days passed and adventures came in all kinds of ways. Sue didn't take the fluffy 5 star Africa tour, no no! She was out in the middle of nowhere, hot, sweaty, scared, and I found my opinions changing as hers did.
What moved me the most, is that Sue is an everyday person. She laughs, cries, and loves fiercely. Africa changed her life, and by doing so, changed mine as well. EVERYONE should give this book a read, whether you agree with her philosophies or not. It was not just an eye opener for me, I think it could very well change how the world views Africa, and her people."
You can also read more reviews from hunters and non-hunters on my website.
www.suetidwell.com
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