The Beauty of the Beasts

The author describes how he developed affection training, and recounts the lions, chimpanzees, bears, bulls, orangutans, elephants and tigers he has trained for motion pictures, television shows, and commercials

Everyone's heard the adage "you can catch more flies with honey"; Helfer demonstrates it as he recounts his affectionate training method for wild animals, a method predicated on love, patience, understanding, and respect. Although his animal adventures illustrate the success of his training philosophy, his love for his animals permeates every aspect of his writing. Laughter and tears go side by side in this book. Readers will howl with merriment at the description of a trip along a California freeway with Helfer and an overheated bear sharing the back seat of a new car driven by a friend who hates animals. They'll weep at the description of an elephant that had been chained to a tree through 20 years of hot summers and cold winters in Vermont. Story after story will hold readers enthralled in this celebration of animals. This is the book to recommend to those who have loved James Herriot, Cleveland Amory, or Lillian Braun. --Pam Spencer, Jefferson Sci-Tech, Alexandria, VA
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Helfer has provided an interesting insight into the training and use of animals in motion pictures. His anecdotes are interesting and humorous, and his devotion to animals is evident throughout. The book's only major defect is the author's repeated references to the animals' love for him and his family. This anthropomorphism is handled somewhat differently than in Hope Ryden's Lily Pond (LJ 9/1/89) in that Helfer admits that these animals are being held in non-native environments and humans owe them more consideration because of this. He also discusses the other method of animal training based on the animal's fear of its trainer, but he does not actually explore this mistreatment issue. Interesting for general readers.
- Mary J. Nickum, Fish & Wildlife Reference Svce., Bethesda, Md.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.