West with Giraffes Published by Amazon Publishing on July 3, 2026 Genres: Fiction / Animals, Fiction / Coming of Age, Fiction / Historical / General, Fiction / Literary
Pages: 356
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Reading Challenges: All booksAn emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America.
"Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes..."
Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. But when he learns giraffes are going extinct, he finds himself recalling the unforgettable experience he cannot take to his grave.
It's 1938. The Great Depression lingers. Hitler is threatening Europe, and world-weary Americans long for wonder. They find it in two giraffes who miraculously survive a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic. What follows is a twelve-day road trip in a custom truck to deliver Southern California's first giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. Behind the wheel is the young Dust Bowl rowdy Woodrow. Inspired by true events, the tale weaves real-life figures with fictional ones, including the world's first female zoo director, a crusty old man with a past, a young female photographer with a secret, and assorted reprobates as spotty as the giraffes.
Part adventure, part historical saga, and part coming-of-age love story, West with Giraffes explores what it means to be changed by the grace of animals, the kindness of strangers, the passing of time, and a story told before it's too late.
Life is the journey. Time is the river. The door is ajar.
I picked up West with Giraffes expecting an interesting historical novel, but what I found was a heartfelt journey that stayed with me long after I turned the final page. Inspired by the true story of two giraffes transported across America in 1938, the book is about far more than an unusual road trip. It’s about hope, loss, second chances, and the unexpected ways people—and animals—can change a life.
Woodrow was an easy character to root for, and I loved watching his quiet transformation throughout the journey. The giraffes completely stole the show, bringing moments of wonder, humor, and tenderness that balanced the hardships of the Great Depression. The historical details never felt overwhelming; instead, they made the cross-country adventure feel vivid and real.
This is the kind of story that unfolds at its own pace, rewarding readers with memorable characters, emotional moments, and a beautiful reminder that sometimes the most extraordinary adventures begin with the most unlikely companions. It left me smiling, a little misty-eyed, and very glad I took the trip west alongside two unforgettable giraffes.
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