An Eagle Named Freedom

My True Story of a Remarkable Friendship

By: Jeff Guidry

Narrated by: John Pruden

From the moment Sarvey Wildlife Care Center volunteer Jeff Guidry saw the emaciated baby eagle with broken wings, his life was changed. For weeks, he and the center's staff tended to the grievously injured bird. Miraculously, she recovered, and Jeff became her devoted caretaker.

Though Freedom would never fly, she had Jeff as her wings. And when Jeff was diagnosed with Stage 3 non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 2000, Freedom returned his gift. Between sessions of debilitating chemotherapy, Jeff returned to Sarvey and began taking Freedom for walks, which soothed his spirit. Soon Freedom dominated his thoughts and dreams, guiding him to fight for life. Eight months into his battle, Jeff learned that he was cancer-free. His first stop was Sarvey to walk Freedom. Somehow this special bird seemed to understand the significance of the day. For the very first time she wrapped both her wings around Jeff, enveloping him in an avian hug. In March 2008, Jeff shared his remarkable experience with a friend---an exchange that would eventually circle the globe and touch countless hearts.

An Eagle Named Freedom is a tender story of hope, love, trust, and life, and an affirmation of the spiritual connection that humans and animals share.

©2010 Jeff Guidry (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

“A hauntingly beautiful story of rescue and rehabilitation, of near misses and second chances.... A story about the power of love and its capacity to heal.” (Susan Richards, New York Times best-selling author of Chosen by a Horse)

A wildlife lover's bedtime story

I loved this book, and with a background in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, it brought back many fond memories. I was touched by the human-animal bond, and the way in which the author creatively told 3 stories in one. However, the narrator is slow, and borderline dry, in the reading - it was a challenge to listen to more than a few chapters at a time.

The message of Hope and new beginnings amongst all the rough stuff

This was one of the most heartwarming stories I’ve read in a long time. I cried, I was encouraged, and felt like I was walking along the journey with Jeff and freedom, & crazy Bob. I highly recommend listening or reading as the message of Hope and love is through throughout the book.

Beautiful story.

Would you consider the audio edition of An Eagle Named Freedom to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version. To me audio books are way better then print books are.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Freedom. Because Freedom was/is a fighter. Freedom is a sign of freedom for all.

Which scene was your favorite?

Every time they went for walks.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes. I smiled.

Any additional comments?

All animal deserve to be treated correctly. We are all one large family on this crazy planet.

Just Excellent

Thoroughly enjoyed it -- underscores one's faith in humanity. Gladness, sadness all wrapped up in this symbol of America.

Beautifully written, brilliantly narrated

A fascinating story told from the heart. An inside look at wildlife centers and the people who volunteer with them. I was relieved there was no preaching, no politics, only the inevitable "we must take care not to destroy all the habitat of the 'wild ones'." Lovely.