Boyd Varty grew up on Londolozi Game Reserve in South Africa‚ a place where man and nature strive for balance‚ where perils exist alongside wonders. Founded as a hunting ground‚ it was transformed into a nature reserve by Varty's father and uncle‚ visionaries of the restoration movement. Cathedral of the Wild is a story of transformation and a passionate claim for the power of the wild to restore the human spirit.
So many people dream of going on an African safari - and many more people actually do. But are they truly able to capture the essence of the wild during their short stays? Boyd Varty, on the other hand, grew up living the life. His family owns one of the first eco-tourist safaris (created long before eco-tourism even existed). He was raised in what, for many, would be an idyllic life - and it was that upbringing, and the lessons learned, that sustained him during a period of time when all he had were doubts.
Cathedral of the Wild is extremely well written, and Varty does such a great job that I finished the book feeling like I could picture the people and events he spoke of with relative clarity. The story is more a series of stories that ultimately come together at the end. It's a fascinating look at not only the creation of one example of what has become quite a big business, but the people who continue to fight for it to succeed. This is definitely *not* a "hang on for the ride" kind of book - it's more like sitting next to a meandering stream with a cup of tea and observing the nature around you. Worth taking the time to do, and something that may brighten your spirits, even a little, as you read.
