Zarafa was a gentle 19th-century giraffe, a simple animalwhose life was dictated by the tumultuous times around her. Fromthe African savanna where she was caught and tamed as an infant,Zarafa was shipped down the Nile--along with the meat of her motherand several hundred human slaves--to the shores of theMediterranean Sea. From there she sailed on to France, a gift fromMuhammad Ali, the "Renaissance Barbarian" viceroy of Egypt,intended to distract King Charles X while Egyptian forces invadedGreece. As political ploy, it didn't work. But as ambassador froman exotic land, this odd animal captivated the French people foralmost two decades, as she lived out her life as part of the royalmenagerie. Michael Allin intertwines natural history with a brutal chapterin the history of civilization, augmenting the clarity of both.This story of one docile animal contrasts sharply with those of thehuman profiteers, warmongers, and interlopers who ultimately decideher fate. But Zarafa's otherworldly charm also he

The Ultimate Guide to Surviving and Thriving in the Dorm Dorm life offers you a great chance to meet new people and trynew things. But leaving the comforts of home for the first time toenter the roommate-having, small-room-sharing,possibly-coed-bathroom-using world of the dorms can be overwhelmingand intimidating. The College Dorm Survival Guide offers expert advice and theinside scoop on: ? Choosing the right residence hall for you ? Getting along with your roommate (and handling conflict) ? Bathroom, laundry, and dining hall survival ? Dealing with stress, depression, and safety issues From avoiding the dreaded Freshman 15 to decorating your space,this informative and funny guide gives experts' advice oneverything you need to know to enjoy dorm living to thefullest.