Zamba: The True Story of the Greatest Lion That Ever Lived

When I started this book I didn't think I would like it because Mr. Helfer spins a tale about how his lion Zamba came to be an orphan in Africa. It's a back story Mr. Helfer couldn't possibly know. The cub in question came running out of the bush and into the legs of a female visitor who happened to be a friend of Mr. Helfer who worked with animals back in America. He had always wanted a lion so his friend brought him the trusting, obviously orphaned cub who had bumped her knees in flight and then apparently crawled into her arms for safety. By the end of the book (actually - shortly after I began it) I gave the author credit for probably having theorized how the cub had become separated from its family, based on the author's own knowledge of how these things come to be. I no longer cared how the book began -- I had thoroughly fallen in love with the lion and the relationship he had with Ralph Helfer by then. It's a charming book with stories that range from humorous to insightful. One of the most interesting things about this book to me is that it really seems authentic that he and this huge African lion truly were solid friends, regardless of everything we have been taught about people not being able to take the prey drive or wildness out of the undomesticated predator. I'm convinced Zamba was an unusual animal, a very special spirit in the beautiful body of a lion. I found the mentions of Samba's stares over the head of certain people (the witch doctor type, the blind girl who only wanted to 'see' him) to be very meaningful. All in all this was one of those books you can't put down if you love animals, lions in particular. You simply don't want it to end so you can spend more time with this magnificent creature. How lucky Ralph Helfer was.

Excellent book about exotic animal behavior and personalities in captivity. Interesting and enlightening information about animals used for television, movies, commercials, etc. It does matter how an animal is trained and treated when raised from birth. Those treated compassionately, without the use of fear to control them, can turn into loyal, loving companions, eager to please their owners. Those who suffer from cruel and abusive control tactics are fearful, angry, and may become very unpredictable in certain circumstances. Many animals are much smarter than we realize, and will respond quite favorably to kindness, rather than cruelty and fear-based training. Ralph Helfer proved during his time and life with Zamba, "the greatest lion that ever lived", that just as it should be between humans, living and working with exotic animals is all about relationships, mutual respect, and love. This wonderful book is certainly one I will never forget and will read again and again. Highly recommend!

I read this aloud to my husband and our almost-7yo daughter and we all loved it! We all were weeping by the end. It is a real page-turner, very difficult to read only one chapter a night! :)Zamba himself was an amazingly gentle lion all his life. It's stunning to realize that humans and animals could have such a strong connection -- truly communicating without words.The adventures in this book are truly jaw-dropping at every turn of the page! So many times, you want to hold your breath, wondering how things will turn out -- you almost have to keep reminding yourself that things must come out OK because there's still so much book left!FOR KIDS?? One caveat is that there are some sparse violent scenes that are not really appropriate for children (unless they're used to violent movies -- our daughter was not, so I skipped them as best as I could.) The first chapter will give you a sense of the level of violence that very rarely, but does show up in the book. Note that there's an abridged picture book by the same author more appropriate for kids. For adults, the rare violence is well worth the price for the joy and love and triumph throughout the book!From a writer's perspective, he is a little unpolished. The timeline of the book is disjointed and hard to follow. Also, he will tell you ahead of time something you need to know for the next paragraph -- almost like telling you the punchline before the joke. (I think he did a much better job with Modoc. He also got better as the book went on.) Just a nit-picky geeky writer thing -- your average reader will likely not care. Certainly the subject matter makes up a thousand times for unpolished writing.A note: I'm glad I read Modoc first, because she makes a cameo in Zamba, and I was literally balling my eyes out, knowing what that amazing elephant had been through by that time, and what a hero she continued to be. My husband and daughter had no clue and it didn't have the same impact. Also, Zamba is, I think, a deeper, more philosophical book, whereas Modoc was more an adventure story (the philosophy was there, but more in the background.) (I haven't read Beaty and the Beasts, or other similar books by members of his close family yet, but they are next!) In that sense, Zamba is a greater and deeper book than Modoc.I'm already buying a number of copies for friends!! Certainly I would recommend it!! One of my all-time favorite books!

This is a story about a friendship between a Lion and a Man.It is well written, but if you read it in hope of learning about the training methods that Ralph Helfer you will be dissapointed. The book oozes of Ralph Helfer's love for Zamba, for what he tries to do for and with the animals, perhaps sometimes even for him self.I have left me with a feeling of being touched in my soul by Zamba. Because even though it is mostly described out of what Ralph Helfer thinks, you (I think) will feel the empathy and compassion Zamba show his world. Perhaps you will appreciate your own animals even more and what they are cable of doing after you read this book and you should read it.So why did I not give this book 5 stars?Because it left me with some questions I think it should have been answered. I wanted to know more about how he trained Zamba? In the kindle version there is no pictures, why? I also wanted to know about the animals cages, how big were they? What did the trainers do enrich the animals day? Why did he not start a short prologue explaining how the affection training is done?

What an interesting book. Heartbreaking at times when the terrible training methods used in the 50’s to train animals are discussed. Thank goodness Ralph introduced Affection Training to Hollywood and changed how animals were trained.....I would still rather they all stayed in the wild but this book made fascinating reading and if Ralph hadn’t had Zamba he most likely would have died. X

Such a wonderous story of the life of a most magnificent animal. The front cover says it all. I was so drawn in by the feeling of love and devotion by the trainer for the Lion and vice versa ; that i was trying to slow down my reading to make it last.Not paticularly an exciting tale, just so amazing that this was a "man eating beast" more like mans best friend.I am going to get the film he featured in so that I can see him in the flesh.I have read Modoc too by the same author. Both are fabulous to read and would recommend them. But for me Zamba is special.

I have laughed in places at this book and also really sobbed too - my word I would have loved to have met Zamba the lion he was beautiful and loved Ralph far more than any human being could possibly do (I am writing this with tears still in my eyes) I bought this for my Kindle and it has only taken me 2 and a half days to read it all credit to you Mr Helfer and lots of love to you and to Zamba,s memory.

Fabulous read. Couldn't put the book down.A must for all wild life lovers

A Christmas present