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Most Helpful Favorable Review
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Umm....debatable
I haven't seen the movie, but I think the book is pretty good. I see that other reviewers say it was confusing, or that the movie made it more understandable--if that's a word--but I think the book is only confusing if you don't know what it's talking about.
I unders...Read More
I unders...Read More
I haven't seen the movie, but I think the book is pretty good. I see that other reviewers say it was confusing, or that the movie made it more understandable--if that's a word--but I think the book is only confusing if you don't know what it's talking about.
I understood a lot of it, and I was pretty moved by it, but that may be just because I'm an animal lover.Show Less
I understood a lot of it, and I was pretty moved by it, but that may be just because I'm an animal lover.Show Less
posted by xomehbabyxo on December 27, 2011
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4 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Poorly written....
Amazing story, but very weakly written...
posted by 6347097 on December 24, 2011
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xomehbabyxo
Posted December 27, 2011
Umm....debatable
I haven't seen the movie, but I think the book is pretty good. I see that other reviewers say it was confusing, or that the movie made it more understandable--if that's a word--but I think the book is only confusing if you don't know what it's talking about.
I understood a lot of it, and I was pretty moved by it, but that may be just because I'm an animal lover.9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted December 25, 2011
The best book ever
The book is the coolest I've ever read
5 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted December 26, 2011
Anonymous
I think the movie was bettr i saw it this morning it was much easier to understand but the book was pretty good.read it if u want though
4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted December 24, 2011
Poorly written....
Amazing story, but very weakly written...
4 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Yes, they were a little nuts.
Benjamin Mee and his family were more than a little crazy when they decided to buy a dilapidated zoo, complete with lions and tigers and bears, oh my. But as you read, starting from the initial idea and following all the way through opening day, you will laugh, cry, and be amazed right along with the author. You'll meet Sovereign, the amazing escaping jaguar, Ronnie the tapir, and Zak, the elderly alpha wolf. You'll also meet Amelia, Ben's mother, Katherine, his wife, their two children (who are so lucky for being able to grow up in a zoo), and the wide variety of characters who make up the staff. After reading the book, stop by the zoo's website, http://www.dartmoorzoologicalpark.co.uk, and see what's new at Ben's zoo.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted January 16, 2012
Colin ford is hot
Coli ford is hot.... yeah i sead it.. sead it with pride
3 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted March 7, 2012
In Benjamin Mee’s bestselling memoir, he uproots his famil
In Benjamin Mee’s bestselling memoir, he uproots his family and moves to England when his brothers join him in his dream business venture that involves buying and restoring a run-down zoo. Benjamin’s inexperience and the death of his wife take a heavy toll on the project, but he keeps moving forward. As he and his crew work on the restoration, bonds are formed, animals escape, and chaos ensues. In the end, the hard work and motivation payed off, and now the Dartmoor Zoological Park is incredibly successful.
From the start of We Bought A Zoo, it becomes obvious that this is not just a book of animal stories. It is a book of dreams and struggles, family and friends, and learning how to move forward after a tragedy. The themes in this book are quite cliche, but presented in a way that’s hardly cheesy. Follow your dreams, don’t give up when the going gets tough, take something bad and make something good come from it, and work hard for what you want are some of the most prevalent ones.
My favorite segments of the book were the ones that involved the animals. The stories about them are heartwarming and usually laugh-out-loud funny or even jaw-dropping. I also love the behind the scenes look at how a zoo is run. The stories of Katherine’s cancer and struggles with it add so much emotion to the story. I never thought I could laugh, cry, and be shocked all within the course of reading two pages, but I was on more than one occasion while reading We Bought A Zoo. I would have enjoyed even more animal stories, but there were enough to keep me satisfied. The only major complaint I have is this: I disliked how much time was spent discussing the actual buying process and finances involved with obtaining the zoo. I was looking forward to animals and adventure, but before that, I got a huge dose of money issues and bank terms I don’t even know about yet. However, I still loved the book.
Definitely read this book if you like going to the zoo. It gives a pretty good depiction about what’s going on behind the scenes and what happens when animals need veterinary care. This is also a great book for animal lovers, as these are some of the most entertaining animal stories I’ve ever read. This would not be a great book for children, as it has some swearing and would probably be hard for them to follow. For everyone else, I would definitely recommend it, even if you’re not that into animals or the zoo. It is filled with human emotion and strong family bonds. If you are an animal lover, I would also highly recommend the works of James Herriot, the country veterinarian.
Overall, I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted February 23, 2012
Bad
It's so great at the begining...
Other than that, its terrible.2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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beecee
Posted November 1, 2011
Loved it!
I had this book sitting in my nook wish list for quite some time and when I learned they were making a movie about it, I decided it was time to finally buy it and read it. I can't believe I waited so long! The book was well-written and humorous. I applaud Ben Mee and his family for taking on a run-down zoo and I enjoyed reading what it took to get it going. I found it very informative, even the boring parts about the money and licensing and such.
It's an incredible story!2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Inspiring and fascinating. This is a story that everyone from Business people to Animal Activists can relate to. A must read.
This book is written in an autobiographical style and so at points can be a little dry or leave the reader wanting more. The author also jumps around a bit, at time making it hard to tell exactly when in the time-line things are taking place. Other than these two criticisms I have nothing but positive things to say about the book. I am so glad Benjamin Mee felt it necessary to share his story with the world. As a businessman I found the technical details of purchasing and running a zoo fascinating. As an animal lover I found the stories of the animals (especially the escapes) completely enthralling. I hope some day I wall be able to visit the zoo and see for myself the fruits of Ben's labors.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Frisbeesage
Posted October 15, 2008
A Unique and Engaging Memoir!
We Bought a Zoo is a unique and engaging memoir about an ordinary family who happens to buy a broken down zoo. When the opportunity to purchase the Dartmoor Wildlife Park lands in his lap, Benjamin Mee can't resist. He knows it won't be easy but he never suspects the heartbreak and fear he will face along the way. From nursing his young wife who becomes ill with a brain tumor to staring down a loose tiger, over and over he fights for the dream of raising his family in this extraordinary setting.
I really enjoyed getting to know Benjamin Mee through this book. He comes across as an interesting, humorous guy who is willing to both laugh at himself and stick his neck out for the things he believes in. I really envy him his determination to see the zoo be both financially successful and a contributor to the scientific world. The animal stories are very entertaining and the human stories are heartfelt. My only complaint is I would have enjoyed seeing more of his siblings and his mother in the book as they were clearly very involved as well.2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted March 1, 2012
Book Better Than Movie
Saw the movie, and then read the book. The movie was a very different story from the book. I recommend the book though. It was a bit slow in parts but a good family story. Fairly quick read.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted January 30, 2012
highly recommended
I saw the movie first. This book is better than the movie! If you love animals, and people overcoming adversity, then you will love this book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted January 25, 2012
we bought a zoo
Great book
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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ivymelinda
Posted January 19, 2012
Boring!!!
I wanted to like this book...but, it was BORING!!! There was some cool information in the book but for the most part the book just did NOT hold any interest for me. I was just REALLY disappointed!!
1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted January 6, 2012
Dylan :)
I saw the movie and Dylan is super hot!!!!!!! The movie's amazing I saw it twice and now I'm reading the book! PS Colin Ford (the guy who playes Dylan) is THE BEST ACTOR EVER!!!
1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted January 3, 2012
To the person who says dylan looks like a girl...
U must be nlind cuz... uh... hes hot and an amazing actor... matt damon was fantastic!!!!!!
1 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted December 29, 2011
Amazing by movieking
I saw the movie today and loved it.i even cried.then i read the book and felt the same way but if i did have to say which was better i would say the movie because i am movieking and i felt like i was in the action.you might have a different review but this is one is mine.
1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted December 12, 2011
Love it
Love the story
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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3111505
Posted March 13, 2011
Dry.
This story gets very bogged down in the details (loans, license, lack of money), most of which are not very interesting. There are few stories of the animal inhabitants of the zoo. I do applaud them for taking the risk and sticking with it to finally open the zoo.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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