Steve and Me
Book Review

STEVE AND ME BOOK SYNOPSIS

Falling in love sitting on a mid-river boulder loaded with crocodiles, Terri realized their was no turning back! She knew what she was getting into when she signed up for life with Steve Irwin, Crocodile Hunter. She would leave her friends, family, and her beloved cougar animal rescue farm in Oregon and take up residence in the Australian crock country with the love of her life - her soul mate.

The Steve and Terri Irwin Love Affair
She said their was never a doubt, she literally jumped into life and onto Crocodiles with Steve! This is a love and an adventure story. They shared their passion for endangered wildlife, raised a family, started a world wide watched Animal Planet show all against the backdrop of the Australian Bush. "Years in the wilderness lent Steve a deep understanding of the natural world. More then that he had a unique connection with wildlife, that would stay with him throughout his life"(147).

Sometimes crucified by his critics for continuing the family tradition of educating his children hands on style in the preservation and knowledge of wildlife, Steve and Me is truly a fantastic story of an amazing environmentalist and a devoted family man.

QUEENIE B SAYS

Steve Irwin should perhaps be called the "Wildlife Whisperer." He truly loved the crocodile and seemed to have a "spiritual connection" with these ancient Reptiles. Crocodiles have been on this earth 65 million years with little or no change in their appearance. They are the most complex apex predator in their environment, have a 70-90 year lifespan, 3000 lb. per square inch jaw pressure, and they can kill animals larger then themselves. Steve Irwin hunted crocodiles to save them, not kill them. "That's how The Crocodile Hunter was born" (64).

When Steve and Terri Irwin got married, they had a honeymoon all planned out. A call came that a crock was in danger and needed rescuing in Cattle Creek Australia. Honeymoon OR Crocodile? Crocodile won and this would define the rest of their lives together. Intertwined with the passion for saving endangered wildlife, building a "Zoo" for rescues, and filming The Crocodile Hunter, the deal was that 100% of the monies they received went straight back into wildlife conversation.

The Crocodile Hunter's Dream
In Steve and Me Terri Irwin says she knew Steve's complete knowledge of the Australian Bush would protect her, but it was something more they both came to believe seriously, "It was hard to explain but as long as they were together, nothing bad would happen" (60). Steve always worried about Terri keeping the Zoo going and their plans and dreams alive if he died. He didn't expect to live a long life, Terri regaled, but he wasn't afraid of death. He wanted their work to grow and always go on. His mind body and soul were dedicated to saving wildlife from evildoers and educating the world on this topic.

When Steve Irwin died a light went out of this world but the work he started is still shining on through his wife and children. Some might think he was too much of a risk taker. Terri says it best - "Steve was energized by the Bush, this is where Steve belonged, where he seemed most alive!"

Truly a miraculous story.

STEVE AND ME DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Do you think the Irwins were too hands on when it came to their kids being close to wildlife?
2. Was Steve Irwin too risky with his own life?
3. Crocodiles are scary predators to humans. Did you feel you had a better understanding about them after reading the Steve Irwin story? Are you less afraid?