My Steve

Known as Steve and Me in the States, this book, written by Terri Irwin, is about Steve as she knew him. It's not about the Croc Hunter, it's about her friend, her husband, and her soul mate, who just happened to also be the person the rest of the world saw on TV wrestling crocs. I can't really say what I expected when I picked it up to read it, but what I found surprised me. It was funny. It was sad. It was "Holy cow!" It was a good, interesting read from start to finish. You learn over the course of the book that whether the camera was on or off, he was Steve. He was the consummate wildlife warrior, hell-bent on single-handedly saving the planet through his conservation efforts, and intent on bringing the rest of the world along for the ride, giving everything to impress upon the rest of us the importance of his mission. It was sewn into the fabric of his being from his early youth. There are pretty excellent odds that he has successfully passed on the torch through his wife and children, who bravely carry on a life's work that started out as his, and over time became theirs. One can only hope their passion and enthusiasm for saving animals, habitat, and ultimately ourselves will rub off.