An Eagle Named Freedom: My True Story of a Remarkable Friendship

by Jeff Guidry Narrated by John Pruden

Overview

From the moment Sarvey Wildlife Care Center volunteer Jeff Guidry saw the emaciated baby eagle with broken wings, his life was changed. For weeks he and the center's staff tended to the grievously injured bird. Miraculously, she recovered, and Jeff became her devoted caretaker.



Though Freedom would never fly, she had Jeff as her wings. And when Jeff was diagnosed with Stage 3 non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 2000, Freedom returned his gift. Between sessions of debilitating chemotherapy, Jeff returned to Sarvey and began taking Freedom for walks, which soothed his spirit. Soon Freedom dominated his thoughts and dreams, guiding him to fight for life. Eight months into his battle, Jeff learned that he was cancer-free. His first stop was Sarvey to walk Freedom. Somehow this special bird seemed to understand the significance of the day. For the very first time she wrapped both her wings around Jeff, enveloping him in an avian hug. In March 2008, Jeff shared his remarkable experience with a friend-an exchange that would eventually circle the globe and touch countless hearts.



An Eagle Named Freedom is a tender story of hope, love, trust, and life, and an affirmation of the spiritual connection that humans and animals share.

Editorial Reviews

Kirkus Reviews

After a musician took an injured eagle under his wing, the bird returned the favor. In 1996, professional guitarist and animal-lover Guidry began volunteering at the Sarvey Wildlife Care Center, a nonprofit organization devoted to animal rescue and rehab. For years, the author found immense satisfaction in the few hours each week spent cleaning, feeding and caring for injured "wild ones," as he calls them-the animals ranged from a Patagonian cougar to flying squirrels, hawks, raccoons and black bears. In 1998, his engagement with Sarvey took a more serious turn when a young eagle was brought in. "The eagle looked up at me," he writes, "and my old life was over, a new second life begun." Covered with lice, the eagle had two broken wings and was so emaciated that she couldn't stand. Guidry and others tube-fed her for more than a month and were within days of having to euthanize her when Freedom, as the bird eventually came to be named, finally stood up. Because the extent of her wing injuries had rendered Freedom unable to fly and, consequently, be released into the wild, Guidry began the slow process of glove training her to help her adapt to a new life in captivity. When the author was diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the bond between the two grew. Physically and psychologically ravaged by eight months of crippling chemotherapy, Guidry sought and found spiritual refuge in Freedom, with the bird figuratively comforting him in his dreams and literally embracing him with her wings on the day he learned he was in remission. Though plainly told and often syrupy, this inspirational memoir of mutual courage and compassion is sure to have wide appeal. Agent: Kate Epstein/EpsteinLiterary Agency

From the Publisher

"Listeners will never believe that narrator John Pruden didn't himself fall in love with this beautiful bird of prey. The way he tells of the two beings—one bird, one human, each bringing freedom from peril to the other—sounds as intimate as life itself." ---AudioFile

Library Journal

Guidry, a former guitarist with the Beach Boys, was volunteering with the Sarvey Wildlife Care Center in Washington State when a malnourished eaglet with two broken wings was brought in for treatment. Knowing that it would never be able to fly but hopeful that it would participate in their raptor educational programs, the staff nursed the eagle, dubbed Freedom, back to health. Guidry played a significant part in its rehabilitation and formed a special bond with this majestic bird. In 2000, Guidry was diagnosed with stage three non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. During the grueling months of chemotherapy, it was the time spent with Freedom that brought him comfort and gave him a will to fight. Guidry is a gifted wordsmith who, like the Native American storytellers from whom he draws inspiration, vividly describes the breathtaking beauty of the landscape and the dedicated staff who expend their time, energies, and, in some cases, their fortunes rescuing wildlife. VERDICT In the tradition of Irene Pepperberg's Alex & Me, this heartwarming, engrossing story will attract patrons who enjoy personal narratives about the human-animal bond.—Florence Scarinci, Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, NY

JULY 2010 - AudioFile

The author, a volunteer at the Sarvey Wildlife Care Center near Seattle, raises a disabled baby eagle he names Freedom. Broken wings have left the raptor flightless, but Guidry and Freedom forge a bond that grows into a heartwarming relationship. Cancer interrupts the perfect story when the rescuer finds he needs his own rescue from leukemia. Intimate encounters with raccoons, bears, and owls punctuate life at the center, and the selfless volunteers who work there also become part of the story. Listeners will never believe that narrator John Pruden didn’t himself fall in love with this beautiful bird of prey. The way he tells of the two beings—one bird, one human, each bringing freedom from peril to the other—sounds as intimate as life itself. J.A.H. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170691388
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	05/04/2010
Edition description:	Unabridged

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