West with Giraffes

1938: The Great Depression lingers. Hitler is threatening Europe,and world-weary Americans long for wonder. They find it in two giraffes who miraculously survive a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic. What follows is a twelve-day road trip in a custom truck to deliver Southern CaliforniaΓÇÖs first giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. Behind the wheel is the young Dust Bowl rowdy Woodrow Wilson Nickel. Present day: At 105Woody feels his life ebbing away. When he learns giraffes are going extincthe finds himself recalling an experience he cannot take to his grave. In retelling his storyhe explores what it means to be changed by the grace of animalsthe kindness of strangersand the passing of time. — adapted from jacket