An Eagle Named Freedom: My True Story of a Remarkable Friendship

I’m a sucker for animal stories so, of course, the picture of a magnificent eagle (along with author Jeff Guidry) that adorns this book jacket drew my attention immediately. What I received upon reading this book more than I bargained for. I not only learned about wild animal rescue, but I also entered the private world of Jeff Guidry. The story he tells is simple in words but profound in experience. It traverses the spiritual world, the customs of Native Americans, and the companionship of individuals who devote their lives to helping wild animals in distress. In a sudden bout of misfortune, Guidry also tells of being diagnosed with cancer and having to endure its gruesome treatment. I marveled at how an eagle named Freedom became show more the symbol of life for the author.

Maybe I’m a bit too sensitive, but I was getting teary-eyed at both the happy parts of this book as well as the sad parts. I loved the color photographs of the more interesting “patients” (and their humans) at the Sarvey Wildlife Care Center in Washington State. My only wish for this book would have been to have the few specific animal terms (for example: bating, green, flight--when used to mean a cage) explained when first used.

To animal lovers and those who respect the natural order of the world, I must say that you’re in for a treat with what Guidry has chosen to share. My hope is that this book will evoke your compassion and a bit more understanding of wild animals and help you to make some good decisions should you encounter any wild animals in distress in the future. In the meantime, grab a hankie and begin to read. show less

This author worked as a volunteer in a wildlife rescue facility. Most of the animals were treated for injury or illness and then released, some that could never live free again were given a lifelong home. He tells about a resident cougar, hawks and owls, raccoons and deer that came and went. But mostly it’s about one particular eagle that was brought in very young, with damaged wings. She could never fly again. He bonded closely with the eagle, and when got diagnosed with cancer, felt that his emotional and spiritual connection to her helped him through that. Half the book is about his cancer battle. Some parts had me raising my eyebrows in a bit of disbelief, as the author went further into exploring Native American religions and show more felt he could feel what the eagle was thinking (sometimes putting human words into its mouth). One scene in particular had me really questioning what happened- when he described the eagle literally enfolding him in a hug, wrapping her wings completely around him. This isn’t a behavior eagles naturally do (as far as I know) so I wondered if he was misunderstanding something he experienced, or making it up. But then I remembered earlier in the narrative, he told how he would always put his arm around the eagle to gently pin her wings when carrying her through doorways, to prevent her banging them on the door fame and injuring herself. She was trained wear jesses and sit on his gloved hand, he would take her outside for walks and she got very excited anticipating this. So now I think- probably that young eagle learned the behavior from the man. And applied it in a manner that felt very comforting. The eagle was also taken out to Native American celebrations and ceremonies, and used to educate the public- in schools and other gatherings. She became famous in the area and people would write to the author, or travel just to see her. Mostly though, it’s all about his personal closeness to this magnificent bird. Who had a teasing, sneaky side to her character as well. Who knew that an eagle could have a sense of humor! show less

An Eagle Named Freedom is the inspirational story of a man who helps to rescue and rehabilitate an eagle, and then later relies on his relationship with that eagle to inspire and strengthen him in his battle against cancer. My favorite parts of this story were those that related the details of the Sarvey Wildlife Care Center and the work that they did to rehabilitate the eagle named Freedom. The book also included details of several other animal rescues which I also enjoyed reading.

The author recounts how he relied on Freedom as a source of comfort, refreshment, and inspiration in his battle against cancer. Those who have had special relationships with animals are sure to understand the comfort and stress relief that comes from the show more innocent love of an animal - an experience that he does a good job of describing.

His experiences were also heavily influenced by Native American spiritualism, and he mentions quite a few instances of coincidental occurrences that he thought were evidence of interactions from the spirit world.

I only had a couple of issues with this book, the first was that at one point he talked about living for the eagle, and I was thinking, "What about living for your wife?" Like I said, it was a tiny point of contention and only has to do with a couple of pages in the book. Here is the quote:

Fighting a deadly enemy for the sake of someone else is life-affirming. Freedom was my someone else. I wanted to see her mature. I needed to see her mature. . . . I needed to live for her. (P. 101)

The other issue I had was the author's sense of feeling that powers of healing were emanating from Freedom to the author. If I think of it as metaphorical I'm okay with it, but I also realize that, not having been in this situation, I have no basis for judging what the author's experience was like. He addresses the topic a little bit in this passage:

I felt ripples of healing and reassurance coming in from Freedom. I'd think of a pebble falling into a dark pool and ripples of light traveling out in tiny waves - ripples of survival and trust from Freedom to me.
Freedom's dreamtime visits carried me through the chemo months, and eventually I knew she was with me always. I wasn't some off-the-planet visionary, some guy sitting around in a fancy robe hearing spirits' voices. I worked when I had the strength to, rode my bicycle when I could. . . . And, as the infusions progressed, I knew that Freedom accompanied me every step of the way. (P. 102)

Other than these few pages I quite enjoyed An Eagle Named Freedom, and thought it was a wonderful story about the ways that humans and animals can affect each other, and how wild animals can be rehabilitated. show less

This book combines two of my favorite genres: medical survivor story and animal story. The author combines his unique relationship he develops with an American bald eagle with his own tale of surviving non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

I enjoyed reading the book, which I received from LT as part of their Early Reviewer’s Program. My review is not early, as I moved, and it took a while for the book to catch up with me. Better late than never, though, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about animals, which is the primary focus of the book. The author works at a wildlife rescue center in the Pacific Northwest, and in addition to telling of how his relationship with the eagle develops, tells other compelling tales of wildlife show more rescues involving bears, squirrels and several types of birds, especially raptors. He feels very strongly that his relationship with Freedom, the eagle, helped him conquer his cancer. Hey, whatever works. His story has brought encouragement to many others fighting cancer.

I save my 5 stars for “OMG, you HAVE to read this book.” I give it 4, it’s a quick, enjoyable read. Some of you may have to read it. It also contains a good picture section, which I really appreciate in a book like this. show less

"An Eagle Named Freedom: My True Story of A Remarkable Friendship" by Jeff Guidry is a beautiful story, written simply of a not-necessarily so simple relationship between humankind and the animal world.
It seems some books are read for one sentence, paragraph, idea. In this book, this was, "We stood outside looking out over the valley. . . . Freedom was on my right arm facing me. I felt Freedom's injured left wing drape over my right shoulder.
"Then I realized she had brought her right wing clear around to touch me in the middle of my back. I could feel the tips of her primaries pressed into my body. I could feel the bones in her wing on my shoulder. . . . In that instant I felt my friend enfolding me in a full embrace.
"I leaned back. . . show more . We looked straight at each other. We both leaned forward. She gently touched her beak to my nose. I don't know how long we stood that way. The world was gone. It was just Freedom and me."
A lovely little book about life and death--and the possibilities that occur in between the two. A wonderful, inspiring read for a rainy summer morning, snuggled with my dog and a pot of tea on the side table. show less

An Eagle Named Freedom is a true story about a man's remarkable relationship with an eagle; but more than that, it is a glorious story about life, the will to live, and living in a meaningful manner.

The narrator, Jeff, becomes interested in wildlife and eagles in particular, and begins working at a sanctuary for "wild ones" that have been injured. He is able to form relationships with some special wild animals - a mountain lion, bears, a squirrel, and raptors including Freedom, the eagle. Freedom is brought in to the refuge in a very weak state, and Jeff helps her regain her will to live. She in turn teaches him about fighting for life when he is diagnosed with cancer.

The story is beautifully written, bittersweet, touching, funny and show more thought provoking. It is captivating -- I read it in one long evening because I couldn't put the book down. It is a gorgeous story and I hope that it will stay with me, reminding me to be a better caretaker of this beautiful world & its wild ones. show less

I received this as an Early Reviewers book. It was very enjoying, and I loved reading about the effort and care put into injured animals at Sarvey Wildlife Center. We forget sometimes the strong bond between ALL-human and animals. It brings to mind a favorite saying, "Am I the student or the teacher." In this story-Mr. Guidry was both. Well done.