The Will of Heaven Series: Award-Winning Elephant Books (Non-Fiction Memoir)
Follow elephant conservation research scientist Debbie Ethell on a profound journey of resilience and discovery in The Will of Heaven, a definitive collection of elephant books (non-fiction). Blending intimate memoir with thoughtful reflection, this series reveals the powerful connections between personal recovery and wildlife protection. It is especially suited as good books to read for book clubs. They offer a rare look at the triumphs of a woman overcoming alcoholism and the elephants she is devoted to protecting.
Why Readers Love This Series
- A powerful nonfiction book about animals, blending real-life elephant stories with personal human experience
- Among the most moving memoirs to read, exploring resilience, transformation, and connection
- Combines unforgettable elephant stories with depth, meaning, and true-life inspiration
Book One: The Will of Heaven
The Will of Heaven is a powerful nonfiction book about animals and an inspirational sobriety story. Rising from the courtrooms of her past to the grass plains of Kenya, Debbie Ethell transforms her life while pursuing a lifelong dream of working with wild elephants.
This deeply personal story weaves together unforgettable elephant stories with a journey of resilience, purpose, and healing. It is especially compelling for readers drawn to the category of “Best Addiction Memoirs” and true stories of transformation.
One Reader’s Reflection
SIMPLY EPIC AND LIFE CHANGING
Someone in my life told me when I was a young boy that if I am lucky, one day I will read a book that will change my life forever. This person told me to be ready as it will literally knock me on my ass.
TO SAY THE LEAST, I SIT HERE KNOCKED ON MY ASS!
I received Debbie’s book on Sunday and the second I began to read it, I did not want to put it down. For the next 3 days, every spare moment I had was dedicated to reading her book. To describe the words in her book as epic and profound is a massive understatement and does it no justice. To describe the author and every person she speaks of in this book as courageous is an understatement and does them all no justice. To read about every person she talks about with such amazing detail and love is indescribable. To say this book has profoundly effected every thought, idea, emotion, feelings is also an understatement. Finally, to say that I had to clean my reading glasses off from all the tears coming down my face is a huge understatement.
Debbie Ethell’s brilliant mind and courageous heart give me great hope that wonderful people exist and are pushing us in a good direction.
-Mike Stuchiner, Amazon Customer Review (Verified Purchase)
Book Two: Elephant Mountain
In the second part of her elephant conservation memoir series, Elephant Mountain continues Debbie Ethell’s journey through wildlife conservation and personal discovery. Drawn by a fascination with an elephant skull, she is swept into a gripping true story rooted in mystery and intrigue.
What unfolds is a haunting historical account involving a tragic love story between two individuals, each killed by elephants they raised. This nonfiction book about animals blends investigative discovery with emotional depth, revealing the complext relationship between humans and elephants.
This is a compelling addition to the series for readers who enjoy elephant books and elephant stories. It also explores the history of the Oregon Zoo elephants, and real-life wildlife conservation challenges.
FAQ’s
Yes, they are based on real experiences in elephant conservation and personal transformation.
The series is generally recommended for readers aged 11 and older, but it deals with some mature and emotionally difficult themes. While it is accessible to older children and teens, certain material may be disturbing, so parental guidance is advised. The books also explore challenging real-life events and reflect the idea that understanding difficult history is important, even when it is uncomfortable.
They combine real elephant stories and science with a deeply personal memoir of recovery.
Yes! They are often chosen as good books to read for book clubs due to their themes of resilience and transformation and, of course, the powerful elephant stories.