Mark Shand

Mark Roland Shand (1951-2014) was a British travel writer, conservationist, and the brother of Queen Camilla. Known primarily for his work documenting and protecting elephants, he authored several acclaimed travel books and established himself as a prominent voice in wildlife conservation. His book "Travels on My Elephant" achieved bestseller status and earned him the Travel Writer of the Year Award at the 1992 British Book Awards. As chairman of Elephant Family, a wildlife foundation he co-founded in 2002, Shand dedicated significant efforts to protecting Asian elephants and their habitats. Shand's career path was unconventional, including early stints as a jackaroo in Australia and a porter at Sotheby's in London. His BBC documentaries and travel writing consistently focused on elephant conservation, establishing him as a respected authority on the subject until his death in New York City in 2014. Throughout his life, Shand maintained connections to both British high society and grassroots conservation efforts, using his platform to raise awareness about endangered species and habitat preservation. His legacy continues through the work of the Elephant Family foundation.

Readers praise Shand's vivid descriptions of Asian wildlife and culture in "Travels on My Elephant," noting his ability to balance adventure storytelling with conservation messaging. Many reviews highlight his personal connection with Tara, the elephant he purchased and traveled with across India. Liked: - Detailed observations of rural Indian life - Humor mixed with serious conservation topics - Personal, honest writing style - Educational without being preachy Disliked: - Some found early chapters slow-paced - Occasional British upper-class perspective that feels disconnected from local realities - Limited availability of his books in print Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (382 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (89 ratings) "Queen's Brother or not, the man could write," notes one Amazon reviewer. "His passion for elephants shines through every page," writes another on Goodreads. Critics point out his privileged background occasionally shows through: "Sometimes feels like a wealthy tourist's account rather than deep cultural insight."

Queen of the Elephants (1996) Documents the life and work of Parbati Barua, one of India's few female elephant handlers, while exploring the relationship between humans and elephants in Assam.

Travels on My Elephant (1991) Chronicles Shand's 800-mile journey across India on an elephant named Tara, detailing the challenges and experiences of traveling through rural landscapes.

River Dog (2002) Follows Shand's journey along the Brahmaputra River with his dog Bhaiti, exploring the cultures and wildlife of the region.

Skulduggery (1987) Recounts Shand's experiences searching for ritual cannibalism in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

Prince Rainier of Monaco: The Man and the Dream (1990) A biographical account of Prince Rainier III of Monaco's life and his transformation of the principality.

Bruce Chatwin explored remote locations and indigenous cultures through a blend of travelogue and storytelling, particularly in works like "In Patagonia" and "The Songlines". His narrative style combines historical research with personal journey documentation in ways that mirror Shand's approach.

Peter Matthiessen wrote extensively about wildlife conservation and remote explorations, with works like "The Snow Leopard" documenting both physical and spiritual journeys. His focus on endangered species and traditional cultures aligns with Shand's conservation interests.

Redmond O'Hanlon undertakes challenging expeditions into remote regions, documenting both the natural world and human encounters in works like "Into the Heart of Borneo". His combination of adventure travel with natural history observation reflects Shand's style.

Dervla Murphy travels through challenging territories using unconventional transport methods, documenting local cultures and landscapes. Her independent spirit and focus on Asian destinations in works like "Full Tilt" connects with Shand's exploration style.

Gerald Durrell wrote about wildlife conservation and animal encounters through personal experiences and expeditions. His work founding wildlife trusts and combining conservation with storytelling parallels Shand's dual role as writer and conservationist.