The town is smaller than small and the book goes into a lot of directions in getting to the story. Primates are fascinating, other parts not so much.

A zoo a small town a book that caught my attention Dick the chimps a really interesting novel a book that draws you in and keeps you turning the pages#netgalley#little@

Zoo Nebraska was an interesting read and one ended up caring for Dick and the animals, but I felt the book dragged on a bit and it could have been a bit more concise.

Tiny Royal, Nebraska, population 81, once had a zoo. Founded by animal-lover Dick Haskin, for some years things looked good. But Haskin was ill-equipped to run a business and was ill-served by his fellow trustees. Things went from bad to worse, and Carson Vaughan charts the rise and fall of the little zoo, and of Haskin himself, in this meticulously researched small slice of social history. The book is perhaps overlong and goes off at a tangent at times, but overall it’s a fascinating story and also a sad one, sad for Haskin himself who dedicated his life to the venture, sad for the inhabitants of Royal who once had something to be proud of, but most of all sad for the animals who once found a home at the zoo.

I received an advanced digital copy of this book from the author, publisher and Netgalley.com. Thanks to all for the opportunity to read and review.

Zoo Nebraska is about a man's dream flourishing then collapsing in a rural Midwestern town. Well written and engaging, it's a story about our neighbors and their decisions, whether they are well planned or not.

A good read, 4 out of 5 stars.

"Reuben wasn't just an animal to me or those from the area. He was a symbol of what can come out of a small community when someone has a vision and puts forth the effort to make it a reality" reported a local journalist 3 days after the death of the most famous chimp in Nebraska. And perhaps it is this idolisation of what he (and his keeper, Dick Haskin) symbolised that enabled the existence and limping longevity of a project that really shouldn't have progressed beyond its initial conception.
Detailing the farcical decisions and events that explain how something that never should have happened, never should have happened, but then...happened, Zoo Nebraska candidly relays the story of one man's vision and its ultimate downfall; when his best intentions (and tireless efforts) go horrifically wrong.
Hoping to build an animal park around his 'best friend', Reuben, Dick Haskin gradually acquires a mismatched menagerie to found an amusement in the most unlikely of Nebraskan towns, Royal; "a freckle on the face of the plains." From Vaughan's first description of the place, one feels like he has taken you by the hand on a personal guided tour so that you get, not only a sense of the now deserted library and empty school, but also earlier days when Royal felt like it had a future: "Dead and dying flies litter the sill, and if you look closely, you can barely make out the Care Bear theme that decorated the children's room in 1981."
Indeed, Vaughan's talent in fashioning a beautifully crafted narrative around the remarkable true events here is admirable. Unlike other authors, where the facts encumber the story-telling, here HIS writing is descriptive, lyrical and engaging. One cares about the people, the place and the animals. At times I empathised with Haskin. Introduced as "remarkably unremarkable" he feels the animals understand him, taking "refuge in their companionship, especially because he never felt comfortable with his peers". Whilst, at others, I found myself wanting to physically grasp him by the shoulders and haul him back to the reality of the mess so obviously mushrooming.
Perhaps most startling is that many of the events portrayed, took place in the 21st century.
I highly recommend this book and thank both Netgalley and the publisher for sharing an advance copy with me in return for an honest review.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to.

Sad but fun book. Didn't realize it was a real thing. Loved it.

Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book .While I got the book for free, it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

4 stars

Zoo Nebraska is a little long winded but extremely interesting story. I have lived in Nebraska most of my life and yet, I do not ever remember hearing about this zoo or the horror that happened on the last day.
This book is an interesting and fascinating look at one mans dream to work with primates and what happened when that dream went eschew.
I truly believe the ending could have been avoided had there been more oversight, better leadership and more money in place. Dick Haskins had a big dream and a love for primates. His trying to establish a non-profit center and eventually a zoo in a town of roughly 100+ people was sadly bound to fail.
Zoo Nebraska is a very good book, it is overly informative in some portions and not informative enough in others. However, I do recommend this book. There is an amazing story within these pages which will appeal to many people.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. The views given are my own. #ZooNebraska #NetGalley

Sad. Sad for the town of Royal, Nebraska and sad for the chimps. This is a tale of good intentions spiraling into a disaster for both man and animal. It's hard to read at times but it's also easy to understand. I wasn't familiar with this story so it was informative on many levels. I'm curious how those closer to the situation feel- I thought Vaughan did good job of not being judgmental (although, really...) but I'm sure those in the various communities (including those involved with animals) have their own points of view. Thanks to Netgalley for the DRC. A good read.