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The Lion Tracker's Guide To Life Hardcover – Illustrated, October 22, 2019

by Boyd Varty (Author)

1,151 ratings

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Somewhere deep inside, you know what your gift, purpose, and mission are. Boyd Varty, a lion tracker and life coach, reveals how the wisdom from the ancient art of tracking can teach you how to recognize these essential ingredients in a meaningful life.

Know how to navigate, don’t worry about the destination, and stay alert. These are just a few of the strategies that contribute to both successful lion tracking and a life of fulfillment. When we join Boyd Varty and his two friends tracking lions, we are immersed in the South African bush, and, although we learn some of the skills required for actual tracking, the takeaways are the strategies that can be applied to our everyday lives. Trackers learn how to use all of their senses to read the environment and enter into a state of “greater aliveness.” When we learn to find and follow our inner tracks, we learn to see what is deeply important to us. In the same way the trip in the classic Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance was a vehicle to examine how to live out our values, the story of this one-day adventure—with danger and suspense along the way—uses the ancient art of tracking to convey profound lessons on how to live a purposeful, meaningful life of greater harmony.

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"A quiet, delightful, unsettling read."—Booklist "A beautiful, timely book that will unleash brave minds. Packed with the rare wisdom one feels emanating off a human who has spent a lifetime attuned to and tested by nature." —Josh Waitzken, author of The Art of Learning "This book is a treasure map. It leads to precious things we all need, through an ancient experience too few of us will ever have: tracking wild creatures through wild places. With his vivid, elegant storytelling, Boyd Varty invites us into his wilderness, and into the wilderness within each of us. He teaches us to follow the trail of something elusive and powerful within us. The Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life will help you find, honor, befriend, and ultimately live in harmony with your own true nature." —Martha Beck, author of Finding Your Own North Star —

From the Author

Everyone is looking for something and trying to find their way to something in their own lives whether personally, professionally, in relationships or with family. Trackers do this and the tools of the tracker can be applied to one's own life. Right now we realise that the way humanity is living is having a detrimental effect on the environment and people are looking around and asking if this is what life is all about? What will it take to find your way to a life that feels like a fuller expression of who you are and what your creativity is? People who discover this create lives that are unique, unconventional and full of purpose. The life tracker creates an outer life that is a deeper reflection of their inner values by paying attention and tracking their internal guidance system. This book is about connecting with nature and connecting with the nature inside of oneself. The ancient art form of tracking awakens a primal magnetism and understanding in people. There is a deep desire to people to connect with nature - the natural world is speaking to us, it is full of wisdom. There is a place inside each one of us that knows what aliveness and fulfilment feel like. This is the wild self. Overlaying this is the social self that makes us lose touch with the wild self which is bound to the rhythms of the earth and the truest version of ourselves. Tracking is science, mythology, an art form and a toolkit. The book is a journey about the quest to track a pride of lions but it is also about getting the reader to start to think about stepping onto the trail of their own life to discover what it is they are looking for. Tracking is the first story that humanity ever told, it takes you places that you would never have expected to go. The book offers: - A Common language to connect people to their wild self - Nature prescriptions - An exciting adventure on the tracks of a pride of lions

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperOne
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 22, 2019
Edition ‏ : ‎ Illustrated
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0358099773
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0358099772
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.75 x 7.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #20,284 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #22 in Environmentalist & Naturalist Biographies
- #556 in Personal Transformation Self-Help
- #805 in Memoirs (Books)

Customer Reviews:
1,151 ratings

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Boyd Varty

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The wildlife and literacy activist Boyd Varty, author of the memoir Cathedral of the Wild, had an unconventional upbringing. Born to a family of conservationists, Boyd grew up on Londolozi Game Reserve in the South African wilderness, a place where man and nature strive for balance, where perils exist alongside wonders. Founded more than 90 years ago as a hunting ground, Londolozi was transformed into a nature reserve beginning in 1973 by Varty’s father and uncle, visionaries of the restoration movement. But it wasn’t just a sanctuary for the animals; it was also a place for ravaged land to flourish again and for the human spirit to be restored. When Nelson Mandela was released after 27 years of imprisonment, he came to the reserve to recover.

Since childhood, Boyd shared his home with lions, leopards, snakes, and elephants and has spent his life in apprenticeship to the wisdom of nature. Boyd survived a harrowing black mamba encounter, a debilitating bout with malaria, even a vicious crocodile attack, but his biggest challenge was a personal crisis of purpose. As a university student, he studied psychology and ecology, supplementing his education by learning martial arts in Thailand, hiking through the jungles of the Amazon, and apprenticing to a renowned tracker from the Shangaan tribe deepening his intimate knowledge of the natural world. Boyd grew up speaking the local language and learning the true meaning of coexistence between people and with nature.

Village life was also a central part of Boyd’s upbringing and now forms his core driving philosophy. He understands the benefits and fulfilment village life offers, and wants to help others create this effect in their lives, communities and businesses.

Boyd has a psychology degree from the University of South Africa. He is a certified Master Life Coach, the author of two books and a TED speaker. Boyd has spent the last ten years refining the art of using wilderness as a place for deep introspection and personal transformation. Having taught his philosophy of “Tracking your Life” to companies and individuals all over the world he has been featured in the New York Times and NBC.

Find out more: http://www.boydvarty.com/

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1,151 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book engaging and well-written, appreciating its insightful guide to life and beautiful illustrations of the wild. Moreover, they are captivated by the tracking content, and one customer notes how it provides coaching and encouragement through experiences. Additionally, the book's concise length makes it an enjoyable read.

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Storytelling quality Readability Wisdom Illustrations Tracking Book length

31 customers mention "Storytelling quality"29 positive2 negative

Customers enjoy the storytelling quality of the book, finding it engaging and inspiring, with one customer noting its strong visual imagery.

"...Throughout the day he is reflecting on life, the connections to nature and how tracking can be used as a kind of a dot-to-dot drawing for life...." Read more

"...person that likes activities with some physical risk, this was a very interesting and entertaining read. Lion tracking is off the hook for sure!..." Read more

"...Wonderfully written. A journey and a lesson. I suspect I will reread often." Read more

"...Boyd has shared powerful wisdom within these pages. It was a joy to read his story, the story of Londolozi and his use of tracking as a metaphor for..." Read more

24 customers mention "Readability"24 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and well-written, with one customer noting its thought-provoking content.

"...It’ll give you such a lovely simplistic way of thinking about things from a different angle. “..." Read more

"...with some physical risk, this was a very interesting and entertaining read. Lion tracking is off the hook for sure!..." Read more

"This is a lovely book, whimsical, poetic, with insightful illustrations and quotes...." Read more

"A short read that has the power to be transformative. Wonderfully written. A journey and a lesson. I suspect I will reread often." Read more

19 customers mention "Wisdom"19 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and life-changing, with one customer noting how the author provides coaching and encouragement through personal experiences.

"...Which is the key, this can lead to more tracks and a pathway throughout life if you let it evolve...." Read more

"...thanked me over for a book they never heard of with such a profound lesson to be learned...." Read more

"Londolozi is a bucket list destination for me. Boyd has shared powerful wisdom within these pages...." Read more

"So happy I read this book. Celebration of heighten awareness paired with the thrill of the unknown as a recipe for living. Thanks." Read more

16 customers mention "Illustrations"16 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's illustrations, which are paired with beautiful depictions of the wild and create an unforgettable portrait of Africa.

"...Boyd gets that, in his own way, and extends his thoughts in a beautiful fashion that makes you think about everything from a different angle...." Read more

"This is a lovely book, whimsical, poetic, with insightful illustrations and quotes...." Read more

"...Paired with beautiful illustrations of the wild, Boyd teaches you how to move slowly, look for the next track, and listen to what your body tells you..." Read more

"...This is so shallow. Bottom line, gorgeous drawings, but very very lacking on content and depth." Read more

7 customers mention "Tracking"7 positive0 negative

Customers are captivated by the tracking content in the book, with one mentioning how it helped them look for their own tracks.

"...But also using & implementing tracking in your everyday life, looking for that first track, analysing and understanding it...." Read more

"Was captivated by the tracking part of the book and the intersection between the wilderness and the self ...." Read more

"...It definitely helped me to look for my track and I m sure it will help others. Again, thank you for the excellent book" Read more

"...The book speaks of tracking as a metaphor for self realization...." Read more

3 customers mention "Book length"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's length, with one describing it as a short little book.

"Short little book meant to be close where you can read it time to time." Read more

"Great short and succinct read that activates self discovery and acceptance of life process in the most poetic and heart engaging way." Read more

"An incredible and simple small book..." Read more

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Will Matthews
Find That First Track In Life
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2022
Format: KindleVerified Purchase

The book follows a day in Boyd’s life where he is tracking a lion with his two fellow trackers in the Londolozi Game Reserve. Throughout the day he is reflecting on life, the connections to nature and how tracking can be used as a kind of a dot-to-dot drawing for life. But also using & implementing tracking in your everyday life, looking for that first track, analysing and understanding it. Which is the key, this can lead to more tracks and a pathway throughout life if you let it evolve.

He draws the connection how we have lost something in our lives as humans, many of us without value, direction and belonging. How the disconnection of nature, almost disconnects our souls from our bodies & minds. Rolling through day to day in a lifeless, empty, directionless fashion. Have you ever just felt empty and without purpose? Boyd gets that, in his own way, and extends his thoughts in a beautiful fashion that makes you think about everything from a different angle. As he says “We operate on autopilot. We are in our lives, but we are not alive”.

It’s about stripping away the grandiose of life, everything that gets in the way of seeing what’s in front of you, everything that hides the little enjoyments of life. Everything that stops you from actually living and working this game out. If you’ve been stuck in the mud spinning your metaphorical wheels in place worrying about “what I am meant to do” or “what I am suppose to do”, then maybe this book is for you. It’ll give you such a lovely simplistic way of thinking about things from a different angle.

“I don’t know where I am going, but I know exactly how to get there”. The path out in front of each of us is not clear, is not straight forward and is not without twists, turns and challenges along the way. Understanding this, leaning into it, taking the pressure off and enjoying things, especially the little things, on this vast and varied journey called life is the key.

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10 people found this helpful

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jtkuip
Tracker's Guide to Tracking and Risk Taking
Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2024
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
As an outdoors person that likes activities with some physical risk, this was a very interesting and entertaining read. Lion tracking is off the hook for sure! The skill and focus are incredible. The story of an episode of tracking is woven into the book beautifully.

However, I think it a stretch to suggest that the practice is a blueprint for a broader successful life. Like anything there are some life lessons in it.

I found myself wishing the author had taken a slightly different tack. In a few instances he describes the mental benefits of physical risk taking in nature in very clear language that I have struggled to verbalize personally. I wonder if he had more material to write in that regard.

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One person found this helpful

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Janice Mazidi
Inspiring but ...
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2024
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
This is a lovely book, whimsical, poetic, with insightful illustrations and quotes. A bit overpriced on Kindle in my opinion considering it is barely over 100 pages. At this writing, the hardcover is cheaper than Kindle which is odd.

I enjoyed this book very much but only give it 4 stars because of the price, and because it irritated me to read all these phrases like “men need …” this and “men need …” that instead of “people”. I am a recently retired woman who started camping solo and I have discovered how much I need nature, adventure, purpose, and solo reflection time just as much as he thinks men do.

This book takes you on a metaphoric journey tracking your best life in the context of an exciting tracking narrative. A good read.

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6 people found this helpful

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Jennifer
distilled wisdom
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2025
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
A short read that has the power to be transformative. Wonderfully written. A journey and a lesson. I suspect I will reread often.

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One person found this helpful

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kyle
Best book ever
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2024
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This definitely ranks up there with the Alchemist as one of those books you absolutely must read. I have read this book a dozen times and listened to it twice on audible. I have gifted this book 4x now and every person has thanked me over for a book they never heard of with such a profound lesson to be learned. Super easy to read, most people are done in a few days or shorter because you do not want to put it down. I suffer from extreme low cycles of depression and I read this book every single time to help me re-value my life, the meaning, its simplicity, and every time this book helps lift me back up. If you know anyone who has hit a plateau, feels down, suffers from any level of depression, or on the opposite side loves to keep pushing themselves this is the best book gift ever. I promise you. I actually keep 2 extra copies at home just in case the occasion arises and I need to give someone a copy. Audible has the actual author narrate as well so it’s great to hear his South African accent as well. You will then read in that accent. It’s wonderful.

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2 people found this helpful

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Adrienne C.
Wisdom from the natural world
Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2024
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Londolozi is a bucket list destination for me. Boyd has shared powerful wisdom within these pages. It was a joy to read his story, the story of Londolozi and his use of tracking as a metaphor for finding your essence.

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Madam Stealth
Life Changing & Well Worth the Read
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2024
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Boyd Varty’s “The Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life” likens finding fulfillment with tracking a lion. Using South African animal pursuing strategies, he steps you thru finding your own prey, i.e., happiness, joy, success, self-realization, etc. Paired with beautiful illustrations of the wild, Boyd teaches you how to move slowly, look for the next track, and listen to what your body tells you. At only 118 pages, the short read is long on meaningful allegory and entertainment.

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3 people found this helpful

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Phil Dunn
An incredible and simple small book
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2024
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
This little book can easily be completed in a weekend - and it will end up being most fun you're going to have on a weekend for a long while.

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2 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Jo Salken
Good read!
Reviewed in Canada on April 17, 2024
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I've been feeling "in transition" for a while and this book was recommended by a life coach at our workplace. This was an easy read, with great story telling about his life as a tracker. It was so relatable and easy to apply to my own life!! Highly recommend!

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Carlos
amazing
Reviewed in Mexico on June 16, 2022
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Great teachings of life. We should all follow the tracks and enjoy the path of discovery.

Be a lion tracker

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Doron
Love this book
Reviewed in Australia on November 4, 2023
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Such a great and easy read. Highly recommend.

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Amazon Customer
One of my favourite books now!!
Reviewed in the Netherlands on December 28, 2023
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
This book came to me as a calling! Or better said, as a first track!
Boyd is able to word things in a way that have felt so present within me for years! As a transformation coach myself - this book provided me with great insight and shifts to further my calling as a coach and the combination with wildlife and nature (which has been present with me for a long long time).
Thank you Boyd for writing this book - I look forward to reading this again when the tracks calls for it!

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Christopher
Outstanding book!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 11, 2025
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Quick read that will reframe your mind. You already know this is a great book, because likely someone already recommended it. I recommend it to everyone!

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The Lion Tracker's Guide To Life Hardcover – Illustrated, October 22, 2019

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5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favourite books now!!

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Outstanding book!