Elephant Bill Paperback – October 1, 2001

"This is Burma, and it will be quite unlike any land you know". So said Rudyard Kipling over 100 years ago about the setting for this story and it is a splendid backdrop for what must be one of the finest adventure stories ever written. Lt. Col. J. H. "Elephant Bill" Williams spent 25 years with the Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation as an overseer and manager of the firm's teak logging camps in North Burma. Then, as now, Elephants had to be used to haul the two ton teak logs from the forest where they were harvested to the tributaries of Burma's two great rivers, the Chindwin and Irrawaddy where they were floated hundreds of miles down river to Rangoon for cutting and shipping worldwide.An animal lover since childhood, it was the desire to work with the Elephants that drew him to Burma in 1920 and over the next quarter century "Billy" Williams achieved a legendary reputation as an elephant handler and expert. During WWII his knowledge of Elephants, Burmese, and the topography of the country proved invaluable to the Commonwealth troops during the bitter retreat in 1942 and the subsequent reconquest of the country in 1944-45. His employment of Elephants in military engineering and bridge building in particular were cited by Field Marshal Sir William Slim, 14th Army Commander, as crucial to the speed at which his forces were able to move in a race against the Monsoon to recapture Rangoon (now Yangon) the then capital of Burma.With the end of the war Elephant Bill's life with the Elephants was over. The Burmese were clamoring for independence and there was no place in their society for British "Forest Men". Many of his beloved Elephants had died in the war at the hands of clumsy handlers both Allied and Japanese. Many died as a result of war wounds. More still returned to the forests to resume a wild existence. What we have left is a great story for young and old about a world and way of life that has all but vanished from living memory.My big regret is that I did not read this book sixty years ago but only very recently. I have been to Burma three times and have visited a logging camp in North Burma, watching the Elephants move huge teak logs while wearing a special harness and lift the smaller ones with their trunks. Seeing them bathe and play is something not to be forgotten. Elephants are magnificent animals and very intelligent. If well treated they form an almost unbreakable bond with their handler, especially if they have spent years together which is usually the case.On my most recent trip to Burma in September 2014, while traveling on the road from the little airport at Kalaimyo to the town of Kalewa on the Chindwin River, I crossed a number of Bailey's Bridges over creeks and tributaries that had been hauled into place by "Billy" Williams' Elephants 70 years ago in 1944. They are one the few visible reminders of WWII I have seen in Burma

This is a remarkable, uplifting story of hardship, ingenuity, heroism and the extraordinary bond and understanding between man and elephant. Written by Elephant Bill himself, it is very personal but could be improved by a better flow, context and descriptions other than the elephants themselves. A professional writer, with the necessary research could flesh the story out into a more completely descriptive read of the people, places and historical context. The next step is to read Elephant Company by Vicki Constantine Croke, which may well fill in the gaps.

I read this book when a teenager growing up in Asia, and thoroughly enjoyed it.The writing is straightforward, very descriptive, and often very humourous.It's a strange concept that the British would set up an operation to train and use elephantsto haul timber, but when you read the book it all makes sense. The accounts demonstratingthe amazing intelligence of these huge animals makes you realize how lucky we humanbeings are to share this earth with them, and how much more we should be doing toensure their comfort and safety so that future generations may have the same privilege.My son is now a middle-schooler in California and I bought this book so that my kids couldunderstand their own heritage, and learn some history in an enjoyable way.

I read this book after reading “Elephant Company” and enjoyed it very much. They over lap somewhat but also this one provided more info on the WWII period

It is evident that this autobiographical memoir of JH Williams, was a key resource for the popular Elephant Company. Though it does not have the same sweeping perspective of the latter, its personable and familiar style takes the reader into Elephant Bill's world. It is an enjoyable history and the pictures help it come alive. Read them both

I have had a copy of this book for over forty years. I have re-read it a great many times and enjoyed it every time. It gives a deep look into the traits and habits of elephants, both wild and domesticated, contained in a wonderful account of life in the teak lumber camps of Burma in the 1930's and during WWII. The author makes the reader feel as though he is sitting across a camp table with a gun and tonic, listening to these stories and anecdotes from an old jungle hand.

I bought this book after reading "Elephant Company," a book I received as a gift, written about J.H. Williams and concentrating on his military time."Elephant Company" had more detail about Williams's family and their participation in events in which he was a part and more detail overall.This book, however had more of Williams's personal insights into the behavior of elephants, his observations of the Burman handlers and riders interactions and relationships with the elephants. Williams's affection and respect for the elephants as more than just working animals and the Burmese people shows through his English stoicism. So I give "Elephant Bill" five stars.

for a 70 year old book was in good condition, arrived in a timely manner. was pleased