Debbie Ethell holding a book from The Will of Heaven series.

Debbie Ethell | Author, Educator & Elephant Scientist

Hi! I’m so glad you’re here. I’m Debbie Ethell—an author, educator, and elephant scientist. Through my books, digital resources, and multimedia projects, I explore the world of elephants to share unique insights into their behavior, conservation, and life in the wild. Much of my work focuses on telling remarkable elephant stories from Kenya. Some of those experiences changed how I see the world, and I hope they inspire you to see it differently, too.

Head shot of Debbie Ethell, writer of The Will of Heaven memoir series

How It All Began

As a child, I became obsessed with a herd of wild elephants in Kenya, and that obsession set me on the path I am on today. Through my books, I share our stories (the elephants’ and mine), inviting readers to see the world through their eyes and discover what they have taught me about resilience, courage, and most of all, hope.

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🐘 Books About Elephants, Addiction, and Hope 🐘

The Will of Heaven books are a memoir series that chronicles my deeply personal journey from homelessness and addiction to becoming an elephant conservation scientist. Through stories drawn from my own experiences, I share what a group of wild elephants taught me about intelligence, resilience, complexity, and vulnerability. I invite readers to see these remarkable beings—elephants and anyone struggling to stay sober—through a different lens and to challenge the assumptions we so often make about both.