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In Ranch of Dreams, Cleveland Amory recounts his adventures traveling hither and yon for the Fund for Animals, saving creatures from human excesses. A zoo lover since being introduced to Anna Sewell's Black Beauty during childhood, Amory has made a great project of founding and maintaining an East Texas ranch that serves as a sanctuary for endangered and abused creatures, from burros evicted from the Grand Canyon to a great menagerie of kinkajous, foxes, pigs, aoudads, buffalo, and elephants, among others. He is a gracious and knowledgeable commentator on the lives of these animals, and a man of considerable tact, which must have helped when dealing with, say, the Defense Department in his efforts to save wild goats from a California island used for gunnery practice.Book Description
After reading Black Beauty as a child, Cleveland Amory dreamed that some day he would have a ranch where animals would not be abused, but rather would, like that famous horse, end their days roaming proud and free. Many people know that for decades Amory has worked tirelessly on the behalf of animals as the founder of The Fund for Animals and that he first confessed to being adopted by a stray cat himself in The Cat Who Came for Christmas, the bestselling cat book of all time. But few know that Amory did in fact realize his childhood ambition by establishing the Black Beauty Ranch in East Texas. Now he shares, in his all-but-patented combination of humor and warmth, the remarkable stories of these rescuees.Over the years countless animals who have been mistreated or simply found inconvenient have been saved from death's door at this unique sanctuary. Wild burros from the Grand Canyon have been rescued from massacre. Goats from San Clemente Island have been saved from U.S. Navy guns. Nim, the talking chimpanzee and perhaps the most famous animal in the country, was released from a laboratory. Everything from elephants and buffalo to prairie dogs and, yes, cats have found their haven at the ranch, where they can live out their lives knowing, as the last line of Black Beauty puts it: My troubles are all over, and I am at home.At times heartbreaking, at times hilarious, always moving and engrossing, Ranch of Dreams is sure to capture the hearts and minds of Amory's countless readers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Adequate in the writing style department
I generally enjoyed "Ranch of Dreams" - what animal lover couldn't?Heartwarming stories of animal rescues written in a quick and oftentimes witty style.

However, it is that same writing style that occasionally brings Amory from the respectable "pro-animal" into the realm of "anti-human." He becomes argumentative and defensive at times, making me want to argue right back, despite the fact that I agree with him.

Despite this, Amory's book is a worthwhile read, though I would recommend seeking out a cheap used copy and spending the money you save on "Best Friends: The True Story of The World's Most Beloved Animal Sanctuary," another lovely book on saving animals in need.

Ranch of Dreams is Excellent!
I absolutely loved this book.Although difficult to handle when reading about the abuse of animals, it is so well written that you just can't put it down.Cleveland's sense of humor shows through his writing and makes this book a must-read!And, if you haven't been to the Ranch of Dreams - you must go!!! Black Beauty Ranch in TX is the most beautiful place in the world - and the beauty is so much more than what meets the eye!

Maybe a life-changing book.
Cleveland Amory wrote of his beloved cat Polar Bear, "Heaven will be no heaven for me if Polar Bear is not there."

I say heaven will be no heaven for me if Cleveland Amory is not there. Anyone with even a small soft spot in his heart cannot fail to be moved by the stories of the Black Beauty Ranch and the animals of various species that call it home.

Someone recently asked me what I'd do if I didn't need to work for a living. I think I'd want to go to Murchison, Texas and help care for the ranch's residents.

Ranch of Dreams Made Me Proud To Be A Texan
Having never read anything by Cleveland Amory before I was quite surprised to learn of Black Beauty Ranch in East Texas.Ranch of Dreams opened my eyes to what really goes on behind the circus tents,most haunting and heartwrenching the cruel treatment of the elephants,ripped from their mothers and herds and beaten into submission.Dear Mr Amory;he passed before writing a follow up book. The book is well worth the read,a lesson in human compassion,and when you are finished,pass it on to a friend.

Ranch of Dreams left me wanting more.
I guess I just expected more from this book. I wanted more personal experiences and more discussions of individual animals that had been brought to the ranch. I feel that the book was to "general" inits approach. It just wasn't personal enough. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Must Read For Animal Lovers
A MUST READ FOR ANIMAL LOVERS! "Beaversprite" has boosted my inspiration to continue helping all animal life on this planet. Living only 20 minutes from the site of this sanctuary and being a wildliferehabilitator I felt as though I was living this beautiful story of someoneso very dedicated to the cause of God's other creatures on this earth.Dorothy Richards was a wonderful person with an unconditional love for notonly the beavers but for all animals and nature. She has shown the worldthat one person can make a difference to better this world and right awrong done to living creatures. This is a very important book for bothyoungsters and adults. It teaches us to respect animals and nature and toappreciate them. Dorothy Richards demonstrated that humans and animals canco-exist in a beautiful world together and that the animals have a lot toteach us humans! She describes in detail the vast intelligence of thebeavers showing us that humans are not the only living creatures on thisearth capable of intelligence, love and emotions. This is one of the bestbooks I've read and recommend it for all!

A MUST READ for nature/animal lovers!A rare & true story.
"Beaversprite" changed forever the way I regard beavers.This amazing book describes the life of Dorothy Richards and the beavers who lived in thesanctuary she established around her home at the south end ofthe Adirondak National Park.The photographs in the book of Mrs. Richardsand the beavers are guaranteed to thrill all readers, old and young --animal lovers or not. Mrs. Richards did not begin life as an animalprotector.Rather, it was after agreeing to allow the release of a pair ofbeavers ontoher property, and spending some time watching them, that sherealized how complex and fascinating is the life of beavers.Mrs. Richardschanged from disinterested observer, to guardian and protector of thesecritical members of our ecosystem.She established the Beaverspritesanctuary and spent the rest of her life fighting to save beavers fromextinction.They were all but gone from the northeastern US due to huntingfor their fur, and still struggle to stay alive.This is an important bookfor youngsters of any age, as well as adults.It teaches children torespect animals and nature. I have given many copies as gifts to children and they have all thrilled to read the story of Mrs. Richards, and to seethe pictures of her sitting by the pond with beavers cuddled in her lap. This wonderful book demonstrates that we can learn to co-exist with ouranimal neighbors. This book should be part of every child's library. ... Read more

Product Description
Featuring over twenty sanctuaries in twenty countries, including public and private, ancient and new, this book celebrates the sheltering of innocence in all its forms, animal, plant, insect, and human with stunning photography and intimate, lyrical prose. These pockets of Eden preserve and protect what is most precious to us and to the Earth. Sanctuaries include:

· The Iberian Wolf Sanctuary in Portugal
· Brigitte Bardot's sanctuary La Mare Auzou in France
· Gut Aiderbichl in Austria
· Bear Refuge Alertis, Rhenen in Holland
· Bialowieza National Park in Poland
· Other remarkable places in Suriname, South Africa, Namibia, Yemen, Bahrain, Dubai, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Borneo, Japan, and Bhutan ... Read more