Four Nails

In ancient India, tragedy leads a young elephant trainer, Ashoka, to perilous adventures in distant lands.

On the way, he befriends a special elephant. He and that elephant lead mighty Hannibal's elephant army over the Alps and down the back of Rome. Though a time of constant danger and uncertainty, Ashoka finds beauty and kindness while helping others enslaved for the pleasure of ruthless rulers.

To survive this remarkable journey, the elephant trainer calls upon his unique ways with the great greys and a strength known only to those with nothing left to lose.

Can Ashoka find freedom, or will he and his elephants come to the same bitter end as Hannibal?

The hero elephant is real and was ridden by Hannibal himself. The journey was real and reconstructed from ancient writings. The emotion-filled ending is mostly true too.  

G. J. lives in San Diego with his favorite tango dancing partner and grammarian. He reviews for the Historical Novel Society and is working on two other novels. G. J. welcomes hearing from any reader, admirer of elephants, or others interested in this time and place. Contact him at gjberger@hotmail.com.