Looking back on his life from the ripe old age of 105, Woodrow Wilson Nickel realizes that the time has come to tell his story. And it's a doozy! In 1938, Woody had already survived part of the Dust Bowl, ridden the rails to New York City, and started working the docks. That's where he was when a hurricane hit the eastern seaboard, bringing along a pair of giraffes that must be trucked across the country to the San Diego Zoo. West With Giraffes is his tale of the trials and tribulations of helping transport the exotic beasts, getting to know them, and himself, along the way.
Based on a true story (though Woody Nickel certainly wasn't real), this novel brings to life a quirky story that captivated and distracted Americans during the Great Depression. These giraffes were big news during their two week trip, and it's wonderful of Rutledge to bring them back into the collective consciousness. I have new respect for our giraffe friends at the St. Louis Zoo, and I loved this story. Highly recommended, particularly for those who are still waiting to read Kristin Hannah's The Four Winds, or have already read it and are newly fascinated by the era.
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