A Lion Called Christian

In 2008, a YouTube.com film clip became an internet phenomenon. It showed the emotional reunion of two young men and their pet lion, Christian, after they had left him in Africa with "Born Free"'s George Adamson, who would introduce him into his rightful home in the wild. "A Lion Called Christian" relates how Anthony 'Ace' Bourke and John Rendall visited London from Australia in 1969 and bought a boisterous lion cub in Harrods. The three lived together in London, Christian a local celebrity, until the lion cub began to grow up, fast. How could Ace and John avoid incarcerating him in a zoo? A chance meeting with Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers, stars of "Born Free", led to Christian being flown to Kenya and placed under the expert care of Adamson. Ace and John did not return to see their lion for a year. Now, thanks to the internet age, their incredible reunion is again being enjoyed by millions. "A Lion Called Christian" tells Christian's remarkable story in words as well as stunning photographs. It is a unique and extraordinary tale of its time that resonates again today with a worldwide audience, and is destined to become one of the great classics of animal literature.

Author Biography

Ace Bourke lives in Sydney and is one of Australia's leading art curators, a pioneer in the field of Aboriginal art and a colonial art specialist. John Rendall is a sixth-generation Australian, currently dividing his time between London and Sydney. John continues his commitment to the George Adamson Trust and the Born Free Foundation.