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Highly recommend! The book is more about the life of a bit of a different Muslim man living in Mosul. Daesh takes over the city in one sweep. Really interesting book. Gives a night view about how normal people feel about Islamic state and how life changed drastically and rapidly. Well-written. And yes, the lion, Zombie, is part of the story as well 😀

When Isis militants drive off the Iraqi military and take over Mosul life changes in an instant. No longer are the zoo animals the only ones living in cages. Soon women are forced to cover themselves from head to toe and a beard trim can cost a man his life. Amidst the chaos is Abu Laith, self appointed zookeeper and lover of animals, who is determined to see his both his human and fur family through the war, no matter the cost.

I really enjoyed this novel & admired Abu Laith's passion and love for animals. It was definitely heartbreaking to read, but also very riveting. The writing is phenomal and I was captivated the entire time. I don't really like to read nonfiction books, but the premise of this novel intrigued me and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it. I was surprised by how much I truly enjoyed it and the story really makes you think, feel, and be inspired.

Father of Lions is excellent book about the Mosul Zoo and its keeper Abu Leith. This books chronicles Mosul through the end of its occupation by American and Iraqi forces through the years it is under the control of Daesh. The people of the city live through terror, deprivation and hunger, as do the animals. This book is well written, and extensively researched. It is heartbreaking, inspiring and compelling.

Father of Lions doesn‘t just focus on the hardships of the animals, but on the war torn and worn down people of the region. The author brings to light their histories, their struggles, their culture, their emotions and their survival. The book is very well written and engaging. Abu Laith is quite the character and his love for his lion Zombie is heartwarming.

It was a difficult read for me. I ached for the animals who were at the mercy of humans & were fortunate to have Abu Laith fight for them. I ached for the humans whose lives would never be normal again, people at the mercy of power-hungry, crazy people who hid under the cover of religious fanatics.

Father of Lions is an intense, honest telling of the horrible consequences of war—the hunger, the fear, and the destruction—as well as the strength that people have, even when placed in stressful and heartbreaking situations. It shows the strength that love, of people and life, brings, and its ability to conquer whatever is placed in its way.

I absolutely loved Father Of Lions, both the man & the book. We need more people like Abu Laith in this uncaring world. Callaghan tells an engrossing true story of his life, the ISIS occupation of Mosul, & the eventual evacuation of Zombie the lion from the war ravaged city. I couldn't put this book down, devouring it in 2 days (pun intended). I appreciate all of the hard work & research that went into creating this humbling, humanized account.