Babylon's Ark Audiobook By Lawrence Anthony, Graham Spence cover art

Babylon's Ark

The Incredible Wartime Rescue of the Baghdad Zoo

Preview

Try for $0.00
Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.

Babylon's Ark

By: Lawrence Anthony, Graham Spence
Narrated by: Simon Vance
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $15.47

Buy for $15.47

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

When the Iraq war began, conservationist Lawrence Anthony could think of only one thing: the fate of the Baghdad Zoo, caught in the crossfire at the heart of the city. Once Anthony entered Iraq, he discovered that hostilities and uncontrolled looting had devastated the zoo and its animals. Working with members of the zoo staff and a few compassionate U.S. soldiers, Anthony defended the zoo, bartered for food on war-torn streets, and scoured bombed palaces for desperately needed supplies.

Babylon's Ark chronicles Anthony's hair-raising efforts to save a pride of Saddam's lions, close a deplorable black-market zoo, run ostriches through shoot-to-kill checkpoints, and rescue the dictator's personal herd of Thoroughbred Arabian horses.

©2007 Lawrence Anthony and Graham Spence (P)2015 Tantor
Animals Conservation Iraq War War Military Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Critic reviews

"A wartime story with a joyful ending." ( Kirkus)

What listeners say about Babylon's Ark

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    804
  • 4 Stars
    248
  • 3 Stars
    68
  • 2 Stars
    14
  • 1 Stars
    6
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    848
  • 4 Stars
    151
  • 3 Stars
    35
  • 2 Stars
    9
  • 1 Stars
    5
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    757
  • 4 Stars
    200
  • 3 Stars
    67
  • 2 Stars
    10
  • 1 Stars
    6

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting Read

I was concerned the storyline would overlap in the three books written by Lawrence Anthony but they really don’t. Each story is its own story. I found all of them interesting. I would suggest reading in the following order:
The Elephant Whisperer
Babylon’s Ark
The Last Rhino

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

MUST READ

Don't miss this amazing book! I couldn't put it down and learned so much. Very well written.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

An amazing eye opening resue of The Bagdad Zoo

Thought provok8ng, humanitarian and honest accounts of how one person, with the best and most honorable intentions, can change an entire city by the resue and restoration of a zoo and irs beloved creatures. Get this book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

very entertaining and heart felt

I usually listen to romance novels but I love elephants and wanted something different so I start off with the Elephant whisper and have listen several of Lawrence Anthony's audio books. The story are entertaining and heart felt the narrative is above par.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

INSPIRATIONAL!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Definately recommend this book.This is a story that reminds us that one person really can make a difference. After listening to it, my kids also read it and they were inspired. It is written from the heart, easy to listen to and a feel good story. Inspiring to know there are people out there that are willing to go the extra mile for animals who cannot help themselves, just out of the goodness of their hearts and because they are passionate about something.

Have you listened to any of Simon Vance’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Simon Vance speaks with emotion and sincerity as though it was his experience. Very easy to listen to him.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There are some sad moments but I was moved many times in that book by the spirit of a passionate man, Lawrence Anthony, that is regretfully no longer with us but was an exceptional human being

Any additional comments?

Highly recommend this book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Heartfelt rescue mission for Lawrence Anthony

A beautiful story of courage and compassion to rescue the suffering survivors at the Baghdad Zoo.
Anthony was a hero to many. Another heartfelt mission was his effort to save rhinos in the war torn DNC, described in his last book, Saving the Last Rhinos. Highly recommended, as well as, The Elephant Whisper.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent listen!

I love Lawrence Antony! I have learned so much from his books and am eager to know more. It severely saddens me that he is no longer alive but I believe he's touched so many lives his legacy will live on.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Book!

Thoroughly enjoyed it! Lawrence was an exceptional individual. And Simon Vance did the best job ever!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Read

Thoroughly enjoyed the book. It was engaging and thought-provoking. Mr. Anthony and his crew were amazing in their commitment to rebuilding Iraq's zoo.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Movie material

Someone has got to make a movie out of this! It has all the elements of a great film: drama, humor, tragedy, heartbreak, war, struggle for survival, triumph and love. And it's a true story! Absolutely beautiful, well-written and illuminating. There was so much horrifying about the Iraq war. Finally, a story that tells another side in a fantastic and interesting way.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!