Though a memoir, "The Zoo that Never Was" reads like a very enjoyable, well-paced novel. Those who partake of its wonderful, often humorous, sometimes sad but never preachy or saccharine prose will find that they have learned a great deal about North American wildlife, habitat and human-critter interactions by the time they turn the final page. They may even find themselves turning the book over and re-reading it straight through again just for the pleasure of doing so!
R.D. Lawrence is actually one of Canada's premier environmentalists, having written over 30 books - most in the same intimate, personable memoir style. If you enjoy "The Zoo that Never Was" - seek out "The North Runner", "The Voyage of the Stella", "Paddy", "The Green Trees Beyond" - and the NY Times Book Review bestsellers "The White Puma" (a novel) and "In Praise of Wolves".