Thanks for "dropping by" I want to start out with the fact that I'm in awe of the historians who came before me. They built California's historical narrative brick by brick, relying on painstaking research, not digital archives or keyword searches. Honestly, they were historical superheroes. And now, it's my turn. I'm committed to using every tool at my disposal to breathe new life into our state's story. My obsession? Uncovering the lost pioneers—the unsung heroes, innovators, and everyday visionaries who shaped California in ways we've barely begun to understand. Through their letters, diaries, and forgotten records, I want to take you on a journey that surprises and moves you—one that makes you laugh, cry, and say, "I had no idea!" This isn't just about history. It's about rediscovering voices that still have something to say.
Captive Heart. Belle Benchley and the Creation of the San Diego Zoo (Working Title)
Sandra E. Bonura
Discover the full, unforgettable story when the book releases in the Fall of 2026!
The True Story Behind West with Giraffes
When the San Diego Zoo faced bankruptcy and chaos in 1925, they hired Belle Jennings Benchley, a middle-aged, newly divorced mother. Though she "dreaded and feared" the temporary bookkeeping job, that desperate choice launched her career as the first woman director of a major zoo in the world. In a field dominated by men, the five-foot-tall Benchley was a formidable force. She commanded both wild beasts and rough crews with a rare blend of calm judgment and quiet authority.
The popular novel West with Giraffes fictionalizes the daring 1938 journey of two giraffes to the zoo. But the true drama belongs to Belle, who, through meticulous planning, personally engineered the unprecedented feat of safely guiding the towering creatures across the continent. Her real-life triumph is every bit as extraordinary as the story it inspired.
It's time to restore the legacy of the woman who built a world-renowned institution from the ground up. This new biography recognizes Belle Jennings Benchley—the unsung creator of the San Diego Zoo—and her rightful place in global conservation history.
Discover the full, unforgettable story when the book releases in the Fall of 2026!
2025 WINNER!