Cry of the Kalahari

Written by Mark Owens and Delia Owens

Narrated by Donna Postel and Sean Runnette

This is the story of the Owens' travel and life in the Kalahari Desert. Here they met and studied unique animals and were confronted with danger from drought, fire, storms, and the animals they loved. This bestselling book is for both travelers and animal lovers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Apr 30, 2019
• ISBN: 9781977345653

Mark Owens

When Mark and Delia Owens first went to Africa in 1974, they bought a thirdhand Land Rover, drove deep into the Kalahari Desert, and lived there for seven years. They are the authors of Cry of the Kalahari, an international bestseller and winner of the John Burroughs Medal, The Eye of the Elephant, and Secrets of the Savanna. After more than 30 years in Africa, they returned to the United States to carry on their conservation work.

Reviews for Cry of the Kalahari

[Jerry Myhan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

New and interesting information about African animals. Shows the wild of the African landscape.

[Olivia Nunley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I feel more connected to the Kalahari in Africa and the animals there and have a greater understanding of how each animal plays a part in the ecosystem. It makes me wish I could have been a research biologist.

[dele2451 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What an incredibly difficult and admirable undertaking! I was left awestruck by their dedication to their science and the magnificent carnivores of the arid Kalahari. The photographs were a very welcome addition too. A highly recommended read for anyone considering field research in the natural sciences.

[shazjhb · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing book. Loved the story.

[carolfoisset · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I usually really enjoy this genre of book, but this one did not do it for me. Maybe I would have liked the print book better than audio. I felt like some of the sections about the animals were dry and rambling. Story also seemed disjointed at times.
What they did to complete their research is quite a story, but the overall book just did not do it for me.

[seriousgrace · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In 1974 Mark and Delia headed to Africa to start a research project just one year after their wedding day. Cry of the Kalahari is the story of their seven years in the Kalahari Desert. Taking turns, they share their experiences living with brown hyenas, lion prides, and unpredictable jackals, among many other animals. Because most of the animals have never seen humans before they are neither threatened or antagonized by Mark and Delia’s presence. At face value, Cry of the Kalahari is romantic and idealistic.

Admittedly, I have a few issues with Cry of the Kalahari, beginning with the trivial. One, how many times they mentioned the temperatures being 120 degrees in the shade. You are in the Kalahari desert! What did you expect?
Two, their so-called research. They went to Kalahari not really sure what they wanted to work on. When they discovered there was little known about the brown hyena they set about to learn all they could about the species, then they added jackals, and yet after Bones, a male lion, was murdered by hunters they changed their focus to protecting all wildlife of the Kalahari. By the end of the book their focus had widened to include wildebeest. How they received funding for such vague and vast research is beyond me. However, the couple is quick to point out Cry of the Kalahari is not detailed report of their research. That will show up elsewhere they promised.
My third issue is probably the most personal. They claimed over and over they didn’t want to interfere with the wildlife because it would change the validity of their research. They cried as animals starved to death outside their food-laden tent. Yet they had no problem performing a makeshift surgery on Bones, a lion who had broken his leg, or smearing motor oil on Blue, another lion who suffered from parasites. Most likely both of these animals would have died without human intervention. Essentially, the Owenes actions disrupted the circle of life in the Kalahari.

[smits_52 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I do envy lots of what Mark and Delia Owens experienced living in the Kalahari.The up and personal with lions thrilled me as did getting so close to the den of the brown hyenas. However, pythons and cobras and rats in my sleeping bag ... not so much. What an amazing couple. It was also interesting how differently written the chapters were. If it was Mark's chapter, it was more fact, detailed, research oriented. If Delia wrote it was more emotional and more the day to day realities. I enjoyed both styles.
Cry of the Kalahari is a remarkable book and what it has to say about conservation is important.

[travelledguy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful book. Imagine sitting with lions and hyenas. But it is sad to see our wildlife disappearing around the world.

[susanbevans · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Lions, brown hyenas, and other animals are studied and reported on by the authors in this book. They love these animals and it shows through their writing. Their stories are entertaining but I certainly can't agree with their methods. I think that they were very fortunate not to have been killed in the process.