A Training School for Elephants
Book of the Week: A Training School for Elephants by Sophy Roberts
Beautifully reviewed by our great friend, Gustav Groot 🙏
“I always try my best not to judge a book by its cover, but in this case, I must admit that I decided to buy the book even before reading the blurb. The beautifully minimalistic design, featuring an African elephant at its center, made it a must-buy for me. I later discovered that the story within was even more captivating.
Sophy Roberts has a remarkable ability to convey her travels with both vivid detail and strong storytelling, transporting the reader directly to the places she explores—whether it’s Siberia or, in this case, East and Central Africa. She tells the fascinating story of King Leopold II’s bold, brutal, and ultimately delusional vision for what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. Leopold had dreamed of training African elephants to be used in agriculture, mining, and even warfare. The age-old tale of Hannibal crossing the Alps with elephants may have inspired what, at the time, seemed an impossible plan. The goal was to bring four trained Indian elephants to Tanzania and march them to Congo, where a training school was to be established.
Sophy retraces these steps and shares the incredible and often horrifying journey these elephants undertook alongside their human companions. With care and precision, she recounts the bold colonial ambitions that motivated Leopold’s men and the death and destruction it ultimately brought. She describes a Central Africa far more developed and organized than what we typically hear about in Denmark and shares personal stories—both historical and contemporary—that guide the reader through what are, at times, harrowing accounts of disregard for human and animal life.
Usually, when I pick up a non-fiction book, it’s to deepen my understanding of a topic I already know something about. This time, I was told a story I had never encountered before—which is something Roberts excels at. And even if the story itself doesn’t captivate you, the book may still illuminate your own knowledge gaps or inspire you to visit Central Africa. Either way, it’s a stunning volume to keep on your shelf.‘”