In a world where many recoil at the mere sight of a slithering serpent, there exists a dedicated group of individuals who approach these creatures with a mix of fascination and respect. Snake hunters and conservationists are the unsung heroes of the wilderness, tirelessly working to study, protect, and sometimes relocate these misunderstood reptiles. Their passion for snakes stems from a deep appreciation for their role in the ecosystem, as well as a desire to dispel the myths and fears that surround them. Through their efforts, they not only safeguard snake populations but also educate the public about the importance of coexisting with these remarkable creatures.
Romulus Whitaker and Janaki Lenin’s new book entails many such stories of these brave hearts.
Published by HarperCollins India, ‘Snakes, Drugs and Rock ‘N’ Roll‘ by Romulus Whitaker and Janaki Lenin will be released on 11 March on SoftCover, ThePrint’s online venue to launch non-fiction books.
Whitaker, fondly known as the ‘Snakeman of India’, is a wildlife conservation legend who has had a lifelong love affair with the environment and the ‘fierce creatures’ who inhabit our world. His life story is vivid, vibrant, and rowdy.
From his childhood, he was fond of animals, but it was during his college years in the US that he realised he preferred snakes to lecture halls. He soon joined a snake farm in Florida, kickstarting a series of adventures – funny and exciting.
But this book is more than just a list of his experience. It captures Whitaker’s transformation from a hunter to a protector. It is the story of a animal-loving boy who became one the greatest conservationists of his generation from the 1950s-1960s.
Lenin, co-author of the book calls Whitaker ‘a man who is bonkers about snake.’ She further says that penning down Whitaker’s experiences what a break from her mundane life and it would excite the readers as well.
Swati Chopra, associate publisher at Harper Collins praises the book saying, “Snakes, Drugs and Rock ’n’ Roll brings together, quite brilliantly, real-life adventure and inner transformation, placing the memoir firmly in the best tradition of bildungsroman, the likes of which aren’t written often enough. The fact that this is just the first volume — the beginning, really — of a life as rich and exciting as Rom Whitaker’s makes it a tantalising read, precisely because it hints at all the fun that is yet to be had.”
Rajya Sabha MP, Jairam Ramesh calls Whitaker “one of India’s most passionate and dedicated naturalists.
Ramesh lauds the books saying, “Without doubt, over the past half a century, Rom Whitaker has been one of India’s most passionate and dedicated naturalists. His has also been an unconventional and colourful life in two countries and cultures, full of fascinating encounters and hair-raising adventures. All this makes his
memoir both exceptional and thrilling.”