If you fancy a yarn about Africa this Friday 4th September and you live in Sydney, pop into the St. Ives library (St. Ives Shopping Centre) at 10.30am where fellow Pan Macmillan author and Africa addict Tony Park and I will be there talking about Africa and our new books.  Most of you will know Tony's African novels (he's Australia's Wilbur Smith and his latest one "Ivory" is out now), but now he's trying his hand at non-fiction with what is bound to be a ripping yarn about South Africa's lion whisperer, Kevin Richardson.  It's called "Part of the Pride" and it's out in September.  I'll be talking about my soon to be released book about human-elephant conflict in Africa and India, "Elephant Dance", and showing a few of my favourite photos and stories.  Hope to see you there!

Part of the Pride Tony Park cover shot

Kevin Richardson has been dubbed "The Lion Whisperer". It's a title he doesn't like, but how else can you label his extraordinary relationship with these beautiful yet deadly animals? As a zoologist and animal behaviourist, he works at a lion park in South Africa. Here he has formed incredible relationships with the big cats - playing with them, lying down with them, being included in every part of their lives as "one of the pride". Those who work with lions in the traditional way - using sticks, chains and coercion - call him crazy. But Kevin's ability to get inside the head of a lion, using love, patience and a unique empathy, have kept him safe in situations that would result in certain death to anyone else. This is Kevin's incredible story. How a man could become part of a lion pride, and a fascinating insight into the lives of one of the world's most beautiful and powerful animals.