The Art of Being an Elephant - Tapa dura

They're the majestic lords of the savannah--and as these magnificently beautiful photos and engaging text prove, the elephant is one of the most surprising and intelligent creatures on our planet. Christine and Michel Denis-Huot, the photographer/writer team who captured the life of lions so wonderfully, now do the same for this largest of all land mammals. Image after breathtaking image shows devoted mother elephants with their babies; lines of elephants trekking across a spectacular landscape; young elephants at play; and families of elephants spending the day in the marshes where they find food and water. Find out how the "curse of ivory" has endangered these awe-inspiring animals, how these giants have adapted to their environment, how they have developed a complex matriarchal society, and how they mate, rear their young, and feed. In addition to the original photographs, paintings and other artworks reveal how the elephant has been viewed throughout history, and help make this a truly fantastic encounter with nature's most unforgettable creatures.