Gerald Durrell: The Authorised Biography  (HarperCollins, London 1999/2000; Carroll & Graf, New York, 1999/2000)

This monumental biography of Gerald Durrell, best-selling author (My Family and Other Animals etc) and pioneer world-wide animal conservationist (and founder of Jersey Zoo and Wildlife conservation Trust), was given a Royal launch in London by Trust Patron Princess Anne and was runner-up for the BP Natural World Book Prize

 The most enjoyable biography I have read for years'  (The Scotsman)

 Few current biographies read as well.'  (Denver Post)

 Botting's biography is vast, vibrant, intense.'  (Manchester Evening News)

 Captivating and deeply moving.' (Publishers Weekly, USA)

 Ambitious rich material for a biography.'  (New York Times)

 As large in spirit as the subject himself, detailing a figure whose life was an incredibly funny tragedy.'  (Anthony Holden Sunday Telegraph)

 Douglas Botting's biography of Gerald Durrell is a whacking great book. But then, the environmentalist, humorist, best-selling author and adventurer was a whacking great personality.  His riotous enjoyment of life and passionate, loving struggle for animal conservation fly off the pages.  It's an absorbing. hugely appealing story.'  (New Scientist)

 Douglas Botting is to be congratulated ... He has done a magnificent job in telling the complex story of a complex person, wrinkles and all.'  (David Bellamy, Literary Review)

 A monumental biography ... Douglas Botting is sympathetic, perfectly qualified. His book does Durrell's memory as much justice as the Jersey sanctuary where his ideals live on.'  (Anthony Holden, Sunday Express)

 In this superb biography Douglas Botting keeps you turning the pages and even succeeds in conjuring up tears at the end.  Meticulous research has enabled him to bring us an in-depth picture of the man. It is a measure of its success that I seriously resented having to go to work, or to bed, whilst reading it.'  (Hilary Paipeti, The Corfiot Magazine, Greece)