Father of Lions - The Story of Mosul Zoo (Paperback, UK Airports ed)

'This is an unexpectedly funny and moving book. You might not expect to laugh when reading about ISIS-held Mosul, but through the story of a man who loves both lions and life, Louise Callaghan shows how humour and defiance can counter cruelty, and why both humans and animals crave freedom' Lindsey Hilsum, International Editor, Channel 4 News and author of In Extremis: the life of war correspondent Marie Colvin.

Between 2014 and 2017, the 'Islamic State' ruled the city of Mosul, in northern Iraq, killing 'traitors', destroying books and oppressing women. But miraculously, in a park on the eastern edge of the Tigris, a zoo was kept open.

Father of Lions is the story of Mosul Zoo. It survived under the stern hand of Abu Laith, the zookeeper, a man with an interesting past and a lifelong animal lover. His real name was Imad, but for as long as he could remember everyone had called him by his nickname, Abu Laith – 'Father of Lions'. And the lions and bears survived not only two years of Isis occupation, but starvation and bombardment by liberating forces.

As the animals began to starve, Abu Laith and his family and helpers went hungry to keep them alive. They risked their lives to pick through bins for leftovers in Isis-occupied neighbourhoods. In a final heroic effort, the surviving animals were smuggled out of Iraq in a daring rescue operation.

This is a story of human decency in the midst of barbarism.

General

Imprint:	Head of Zeus
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Release date:	October 2019
Authors:	Louise Callaghan
Dimensions:	234 x 153 x 26mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback - Trade
Pages:	400
Edition:	UK Airports ed
ISBN-13:	978-1-78954-454-1
Categories:	Books > Language & Literature > Biography & autobiography > General Books > Fiction > True stories > Endurance & survival Books > Sport & Leisure > Natural history, country life & pets > Zoos & wildlife parks Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Social issues > Animals & society > General Books > Social sciences > Politics & government > Political activism > Terrorism, freedom fighters, armed struggle > General Books > Biography > General
LSN:	1-78954-454-8
Barcode:	9781789544541

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