A Training School for Elephants

INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER WINNER OF THE STANFORD'S TRAVEL WRITING BOOK OF THE YEAR 2026 THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR WRITING ON CONSERVATION - **SPECIALLY COMMENDED** A FINANCIAL TIMES BEST BOOK OF 2025 From the acclaimed author of The Lost Pianos of Siberia, comes a new journey, following four 19th century elephants marched from the East African coast towards Congo, to tell a heartbreaking story of folly and colonial greed. 'BEST SUMMER BOOKS OF 2025: An illuminating tale of imperial ambition and ineptitude.' FINANCIAL TIMES 'A beautiful, intelligent and heartfelt book, a brilliantly researched account of an imperial fever dream alongside a no less feverish contemporary journey'- THE SUNDAY TIMES 'History and travelogue combine wonderfully in this tale of colonial plunder and hubris…Sophy Roberts’ luminous new book is a journey through Africa from Zanzibar to Lake Tanganyika and back, retracing the steps of a long-forgotten expedition.' - GUARDIAN 'This is a marvellous book, an important footnote to history - of Sophy Roberts' intrepid travel with a real purpose, shining a light on colonialism, Belgian and British, and their peculiar obsessions.’' - Paul Theroux, author of The Great Railway Bazaar ‘Masterfully weaving adventure, intrigue and the darker truths of colonial ambition into a story as gripping as it is eye-opening.’ - Levison Wood, author of Walking the Nile 'Deeply researched. Brings to life a bizarre and long-forgotten story of Africa with empathy, intriguing encounters and memorable characters, not least the elephants themselves.’ - Luke Pepera, author of Motherland: A Journey through 500,000 Years of African Culture and Identity ‘Sophy Roberts brings history to life, tackling difficult, sensitive subjects with careful, exquisite prose.…