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A Lion Called Christian: The True Story of the Remarkable Bond between Two Friends and a Lion
A Lion Called Christian The True Story of the Remarkable Bond between Two Friends and a Lion
Author: Anthony Bourke, John Rendall
In 2008 an extraordinary two-minute film clip appeared on YouTube and immediately became an international phenomenon. It captures the moving reunion of two young men and their pet lion Christian, after they had left him in Africa with Born Free?s George Adamson to introduce him into his rightful home in the wild. — A Lion Called Christi...  more »tells the remarkable story of how Anthony ?Ace? Bourke and John Rendall, visitors to London from Australia in 1969, bought the boisterous lion cub in the pet department of Harrods. For several months, the three of them shared a flat above a furniture shop on London?s King?s Road, where the charismatic and intelligent Christian quickly became a local celebrity, cruising the streets in the back of a Bentley, popping in for lunch at a local restaurant, even posing for a fashion advertisement. But the lion cub was growing up?fast?and soon even the walled church garden where he went for exercise wasn?t large enough for him. How could Ace and John avoid having to send Christian to a zoo for the rest of his life? A coincidental meeting with English actors Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers, stars of the hit film Born Free, led to Christian being flown to Kenya and placed under the expert care of ?the father of lions? George Adamson. Incredibly, when Ace and John returned to Kenya to see Christian a year later, they received a loving welcome from their lion, who was by then fully integrated into Africa and a life with other lions.

Originally published in 1971, and now fully revised and updated with more than 50 photographs of Christian from cuddly cub in London to magnificent lion in Africa, A Lion Called Christian is a touching and uplifting true story of an indelible human-animal bond. It is is destined to become one of the great classics of animal literature.
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ISBN-13: 9780767932301
ISBN-10: 0767932307
Publication Date: 3/3/2009
Pages: 256
Rating:
  • Currently 4.3/5 Stars.
 32

4.3 stars, based on 32 ratings
Publisher: Broadway
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed A Lion Called Christian: The True Story of the Remarkable Bond between Two Friends and a Lion on
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book but I'm a bit biased as I'm a huge animal lover and animal stories. It's a wonderful story of love and respect and knowing when to let go.
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reviewed A Lion Called Christian: The True Story of the Remarkable Bond between Two Friends and a Lion on + 177 more book reviews
A short book in terms of word count, but very readable. The style is explanatory and doesn't cause the emotional reaction the YouTube video managed to evoke.
jazzysmom avatar reviewed A Lion Called Christian: The True Story of the Remarkable Bond between Two Friends and a Lion on + 907 more book reviews
Beautiful true story, i always hate to see a wild animal held in captivity, but this was necessary and the story is endearing. I cryed and cryed at the end.If laughing and crying is good for the hormones, then after i finished this read i figure i should be pretty healthy, i did alot of both. What an experience to of had with Christian the loveable lion.
reviewed A Lion Called Christian: The True Story of the Remarkable Bond between Two Friends and a Lion on
A very interesting read. Quite improbable to buy a lion at a department store, yet it happened.


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