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Through the Eyes of Ernest:
A Memoir to Honor Elephants

Through the Eyes of Ernest:

A Memoir to Honor Elephants
By Debbie McFee

Introduction

If your heart is open to the gentleness of animals and their tragic intersection with humanity, Ernest is the elephant to tell you his story.

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Ernest and his best friend Maggie were born in captivity and have no idea about life in the wild. Wild born Frankie, tells Ernest all about the pleasures of living wild, and the family he misses so much.

When humans send Ernest and his best friend Maggie to the circus to perform, they meet other wild born elephants, including wise old Mary and majestic, motherly Eve. Ernest learns more about what he’s been denied even as he discovers the rigorous, sometimes brutal world of circus training.

A somber but ultimately hopeful tale told from an elephant’s point of view, Through the Eyes of Ernest asks us to consider why we keep such intelligent, social animals in captivity.

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The book is lovingly written by animal advocate Ms. McFee who currently lives in Hampton, Virginia. She loves all animals, but finds elephants especially intriguing due to their intelligence, complex social structure, and gentle, loving ways. After researching elephants for several years, including a trip to Africa to observe them in their natural habitat, Ms. McFee wrote Through the Eyes of Ernest to draw attention to the plight of captive elephants and to create dialogue... Most importantly, she hopes that more and more people realize that all animals are sentient beings and not property or things.

With Through the Eyes of Ernest, she gives a voice to the elephants who cannot speak for themselves.

All proceeds from Ernest's story go to help captive elephants around the world. 

"Through the Eyes of Ernest is a truly thought provoking book. It examines the plight of elephants in captivity whether in a zoo or in a circus through an elephants memoir. It brings to light the fact that these gentle beasts experience love, express emotions such as fear, anger and even revenge when pushed passed their limits just as humans do. It really makes you take pause and think about all the wild animals kept in captivity just for the amusement of people."

Alexa Young, CA

Animal advocate Debbie McFee currently lives in Hampton, Virginia. She has rescued and found forever homes for over 150 cats and dogs. She loves all animals, but finds elephants especially intriguing due to their intelligence, complex social structure, and gentle, loving ways. After researching elephants for several years, including a trip to Africa to observe them in their natural habitat, Ms. McFee wrote "Through the Eyes of Ernest" to raise awareness about the plight of captive elephants.

An English major and former high school English teacher, Ms. McFee always wanted to write a book. With "Through the Eyes of Ernest", she gives a voice to the elephants who cannot speak for themselves.

About the Author

Debbie McFee

Contact the Author

Debbie McFee

Hampton, Virginia

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