He’s swum across crocodile-infested rivers. He’s hunted silently through dense bush alongside wild leopards. He’s been attacked by charging hippo bulls and hungry lionesses. He’s taught an orphaned lion cub how to hunt. He’s watched helplessly as the Mother Leopard, whose life he shared for twelve years, died after being mauled by lions. Nine Lives chronicles the adventures, trials, mishaps and triumphs of John Varty’s astonishing life, tracing his progression from hunter to film maker to environmentalist.
Nine Lives Book Cover
It reveals the secrets behind his close relationships with individual big cats and describes the challenges of his controversial tiger-conservation project in South Africa. It also invokes the terror of his narrow escapes from death, including charged and dangerous encounters with crocodiles and lions, and a near-fatal helicopter crash. He writes about his interaction with well-known figures such as Tina Turner, Spike Milligan, Brooke Shields and Nelson Mandela, and his relationship with TV presenter Gillian van Houten. Replete with poachers and paparazzi, Peruvian drug-smugglers and mercenaries, this is a thrilling and fascinating story.
With raw passion and vigour, John Varty has devoted his life to the natural world and has succeeded in enhancing humankind’s understanding of the complex ways of wild animals. Alternately humorous and heartbreaking, electrifying and poignant, Nine Lives is a passionate account of a life lived to the full by a man driven by an intense love of the wild.
John Varty’s love of the natural world was sparked at an early age when he accompanied his father on hunting trips in the bush. He soon gave up hunting to focus on conservation at the family game farm Londolozi, which is renowned globally for its work with leopards. He owns Londolozi Productions and has made over forty documentaries and feature films. Recognised for his groundbreaking work with big cats, today he is best known for Tiger Canyons, a reserve in the Free State where he is raising tigers in the wild as part of a tiger-conservation project.
Nine Lives: Memories of a Maverick Conservationist by John Varty
EAN: 9781770221321
OH brilliant … I am going to see if I can get a copy of this in the UK. I love John Varty … he has been controversial, he has been crazy, he has been passionate, but most of all he cares deeply for the creatures of our beautiful Africa. Thanks for letting us know his story is now in print!
Pleasure Liz, I have read through most of his book and it is a nice read. It tells many of his life stories as well as of the various relationships he has had with different cats such as the Mother Leopard, Jamu and Shingilana. What a life to have led!
I hope (am I wrong) that I can purchase this when I’m at Londolozi in November???
hey,please would you help me get in touch with John Varty,he helped me a lot while he was doing filming in the maasai mara in kenya and i just feel that i MUST say a big thank you to him for if it were not him,could’nt have been here i am as a university student.
so kindly,would really appreciate if you do send me his email address or just anything that will make me reach him.
thanks so much,looking forward to hear from you son
Hi Kelly, I have sent you an email with details. Rich
Well, I got a friend to post me a copy of the book, have just finished reading it. Loved it, loved it. What an extraordinary life JV has led and whilst he continues to attract controversy in his endeavours, I think he is amazing and I salute him for all he has achieved. What a wonderful life – I wish I could have done something similar. Thanks JV, I hope one day to return to Londolozi, I just love it so much – its very special.
Thanks Liz, good to hear you enjoyed reading about his interesting and adventurous life.
I just found this post and will try and order JV’s book. 🙂 I just finished Dave Varty’s book.
Book is avail. 17th March 2011 from amazon.com I pre-ordered and now have to wait! LOL I didn’t see any listing at the amazon UK site.
Hi,
Is it possible to buy on internet the DVD “nine lives” ?
Regarding the book, is there a chance in the future to be translated in french language ?
Thanks for your answer,
Kind regards,
Chris
Hi Chris,
The book is unfortunately not in either DVD or French format. I am not sure if it will ever be translated into French, perhaps if it sells enough copies it will. I hope that answers your questions?
Regards,
Rich
I just finished this fascinating book by JV. I was lucky to meet him the last time I was at Londolozi in June.