The Wisdom of Donkeys: Finding Tranquility in a Chaotic World

This is one of those rare books you hope will never end, so full is it of warmth and humanity.Paradoxically, these virtues make it difficult to write about, because they are subjective and fuzzy round the edges. But I want to try, since I was wonderfully moved more than once in my bedtime reading.A simpler plot would be hard to imagine. The author takes a rented donkey on a walking journey through the byways of the Haute Auvergne region of southern France. As the two meander along tracks and paths, Andy Merrifield, a former Geography teacher in British and American universities and author of the biographies of two 20th century French philosophers, and Gribouille, his donkey, form a kind of symbiotic relationship (though it may be that Andy needs Gribouille more than Gribouille needs Andy).Throughout the story, the author makes reference to donkeys in literature, philosophy and religion, citing Cervantes, Spinoza, Anne Sexton, Schubert, Dostoyevsky, the Old Testament, the Koran and Aesop (among others), which provides a counterpoint to the journey that man and beast make together.But it's Andy's feelings for Gribouille that make the story, for me, so touching and rewarding. He finds in his donkey the values to which he aspires--of patience, of calm, of acceptance of suffering, of forbearance, and for therapy (making the point that animals such as donkeys can be used fruitfully in homes for the aged, or sick).There is great strength in the writing, unsentimental, romantic, perhaps, but, shining through, a calm smile of resignation at the folly of the world.This is a book I shall treasure, and return to.

I bought this for my mom and she said it was a unique take on donkeys and life. It gave her a different perspective of donkeys

If you don't fall in love with Donkey's and especially Gribouille after reading this book, then you couldn't possibly have a heart! This is the most charming,challenging and beautiful story I've ever read about donkeys and would not have been drawn to it had it not been for Merrifield's clever title. He and Gribouille, the chocolate brown donkey companion whom he travels with in France have a lovely connection and conversation between souls who question life at it's deepest levels- and with a humility and resilience that is worthy of sainthood. The way he intersperses facts about donkeys using the arts, literature, real life situations and history is quite clever. I appreciated learning about donkeys through these little vignettes he put forth involving everyone from Don Quixote to U.S. President Andrew Jackson. Throughout it all, I was compelled to 'feel' for the plight of donkeys the world over and how misused, mistreated and neglected they are because of myths and ill informed notions of who these sentient beings really are. This book is a real gift and I hope it changes things for those who read it and for the donkeys whom it is about.

Finding tranquility in a chaotic world is Merrifield's subtitle to <b>The Wisdom of Donkeys</b> and that is exactly what Merrifield was doing following a personal undefined crisis. Merrifield a native of Liverpool, England had wanted two things in his life to live in New York City and immerse himself in academia. He had both of those, a PhD in Geography, an urban Marxist theorist an active author and yet during a crisis of faith he walked away and found succor from the donkeys of Auvergne, France.Merrifield had a moment of insight in Morocco watching the donkeys in Marrakesh and saw a vision for his next book, an account about donkeys. He journeyed to Egypt where donkeys originated and spent a day helping a donkey vet. Visited the famous Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary in England. Finally he settled in France and embarked on a foot journey with Gribouille, a chocolate brown donkey. As he strolls he reviews the arts literature about donkeys from Aesop to Dostoyevsky, Cervatanes to Sexton. I love animals but I was amazed at all one can learn about donkeys.Here is a glimpse of some Egyptian history:<i>For the ancient Egyptians, donkeys plowed the desert land and helped brew beer, transporting the barley in the fermenting process--even lugging around assorted kings and queens like Queen Hetepheres: wooden carrying-chairs, a sort of early saddle, were adapted and strapped to the back of donkeys, examples of which you can now find in Boston's Museum of fine Arts. And although Egyptians brutalized their little donkeys, they also thought donkeys possessed sacred gifts: donkey milk was considered a luxury drink, as well as the secret to eternal youth. Cleopatra, who reigned between 51 and 30 BC, kept a stable of three hundred donkeys; each day she bathed in donkey milk believe it the key to skn health and a recipe in age prevention. She was right: donkey milk is full of fatty acids and vitamins A, E, and F, and it has natural dermatological qualities and rejuvenescent powers, effect for dry, wrinkled skin.</i>. <b>The Wisdom of Donkeys</b> is rich in information about donkeys and occasionally gives the reader a glimpse of his experiences walking through France as when his walking companion, Gribouille at first refused to cross a bridge and how he eventually crossed. We meet youths on bicycles, innkeepers and a variety of horses, goats and sheep along the way. But if one is really interested in a travel journal this is not really the book for you. I did find myself in the relaxed reflective mood that one gets in a slow walk through the countryside appreciating the lush green fields which surround.This is a hard book to categorize, a review of the literature, a psychological study of donkeys, a bit of philosophy and a bit of a memoir. I quite enjoyed reading it, but cannot recommend it for all.

This is a wonderful book that will treat your soul to a calming experience. I ordered this to replace one I had misplaced. I am disappointed that it has been cut off about 1/2” in width. So the cover looks awful and some of the pages have type very close to the edge. Maybe this is the reason for the reduced price? They could at least have the picture reflecting this width shortage! They give you the height measurement, but not the width. I may return it because I want this in my library as a keeper!UPDATE- 4/26: I reported this and returned it to the original seller for a refund. Bought another one from the new seller to receive a “good” one. Apparently some books come to the sellers this way and should be pulled out.*** SO now I give it a full 5 stars! For a Recommended read and great service!

Love the subject. Bought it for the subject. It is about donkey's and so much more. Interesting journey and educational. Reading it brings a lot of peace.

This is a wonderful story of a man s journey with Gribouille a donkey. Interspersed with anecdotes of donkeys past philosophical musings all of which are lovely. Can relate especially if donkeys hold a place in your heart as with us. We have an adopted donkey in Antigua so loved learning more about these interesting animals

Having recently bought 2 mini donkeys I searched amazon for some books and came across this. It is a treasure. These animals, as many others of course, can teach humans a great deal. Merrifield is a good writer...pertinent ideas, observations. Not sentimental but full of feeling. Well done.

I enjoyed every single word of this book! The book is a "must" for people searching for the meaning of life.

This book was recommended to me via word of mouth - normally a good start. As I am embarking on a summer walking holiday in France and taking a donkey along, I thought it would be useful to gain some knowledge. This book which weaves useful and practical information with philosophical musings fitted the bill perfectly. I learnt that donkeys are not stubborn but careful about their own safety; that their wrongly interpreted 'stubbornness' often leads to vicious acts of cruelty by their owners; and that the humble donkey is one of the most persecuted of all domestic beasts. I already knew that donkeys like company of other donkeys and that they are often paired up with unpredictable horses to calm them down. The author's journey so well described seemed to last a lifetime with references to films and books and music. In reality his journey was only a few days yet he managed to produce a very likeable, knowledgable, and deeply moving book from that experience.I now feel qualified to lead my donkey around the quiet lanes of the Ardeche taking time out from the bustle of normal life. I will have to learn the art of patience so often neglected in everyday life but I feel that Andy Merrifield's excellent and insightful guide is gently easing me into that frame of mind. I will of course be bringing a brush and a curry comb with me on my trip and hope that I can produce not a book but a smile from my long suffering friend. It will be a challenge.

I loved this book! It’s a delightful stroll through both the French countryside and the minds of a donkey, of various poets and novelists and of the author himself who intersperses his tale with fascinating anecdotes about donkeys in literature and in real life which in turn lead to him to reflect and ponder on his own philosophies. I have two donkeys, both from the Donkey Sanctuary at Sidmouth where the author spent some time, one of whomIs chocolate coloured like Gribouille the protagonist, and I could recognise him in Gribouille on almost every page. While not a ‘page turner’ in the usual sense, I found myself reluctant to put this book down and could hardly wait for an opportunity to pickIt up again. I highly recommend it.