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Bringing Back the Magic: A Transformational Memoir

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The first half of the book talks about Margaret's (aka: Monty and Maggie) life as a child in Wilmington, North Carolina and continuing into adulthood. She spent many Sundays playing in her grandparent's beautifully landscaped yard, where she could be at peace with the beauty of nature. She tells you about feeling a special connection to nature and its creatures as a child and, subsequently, about the loss of her mother at age 6 and how it affected her. Mom was only 34 when she died of colon cancer. Monty and her 4-year old brother did not even know their mom was dying. One minute Mom was sick; the next minute she was gone. Mr. and Mrs. Tewillager (2 albino rabbits) helped to comfort Monty as much as they could. Even as a child, Monty had that special connection with her rabbits. She could mentally talk to them. But of course, the loss of Mom was almost overwhelming to deal with. The rabbits also died soon after Mom and the magic of nature died inside Monty for awhile. Fortunately, she always felt close to God and knew that He and His angels were looking after her.

Monty got more pets, but spent most of her childhood depressed from the loss of her Mom. The pets helped her by providing love, but Monty was drained trying to function with all the grief buried deep inside. She became more and more introverted and stuffed her feelings by overeating. At 13, she was sent away to boarding school and could no longer experience the comfort of pets. She did not make friends easily and slowly lost her confidence, had anxiety attacks, and often went within herself, not knowing how to be comfortable around others.

Maggie grew up full of fears, but she did have the tenacity within her to tackle every challenge that confronted her. After successfully getting through college, she went on to work for the North Carolina Governor, became an advocate for emotionally disturbed and mildly retarded children, and became a mass-marketing executive, even trying out her own marketing practice. Whenever she needed to know something, she attacked the books and burrowed into them with a fever until she learned all there was to learn about a subject. Determination could have been her middle name. As Maggie said, "Like a weed, I just kept coming back".

Maggie never forgot the "magic" in birds and animals that she discovered as a child and that spark stayed with her for her entire life. The spark returned when, in the 2nd half of the book, adult Maggie became enamored with African Greys, an extremely intelligent parrot species, the best talkers of the parrot world, who sometimes even exhibit a comical personality. Baby girl parrot "Merlin" or "Merle" came into her life and later "Sweetpea" or "Pea" joined them. Maggie deeply loved her Greys. She spent a great deal of time teaching them, playing games with them, loving them, and getting back probably much more from them than she ever expected. Maggie explains that in watching Merle's and Pea's behavior and how they dealt with emotional changes, it helped her to better see, understand, and work through her own issues and to find the lighter side of life. The birds completely changed the way Maggie saw life and her own issues. Through the Greys, Maggie remembered something from her childhood that she had temporarily forgotten--how to live through the heart. And Maggie reminds us that pets and nature give us so much beauty and love, something the world needs so much, especially now, when tension is high. "We, as a species, have become separated from our roots. . . [we] have put up a wall to separate us from Nature." (This is all so true.) As Maggie says, there is so much magic in nature, if we just take the time to look.

Maggie is a strong, beautiful, loving lady that I am proud to say that I have gotten to know a little bit about through this delightful book. I can relate to many of the experiences she has had and I certainly admire her tenacity and perseverance. Too many of us let fear hinder us, and sometimes cripple us. Maggie is a beautiful example of someone who said, "No! I am better than that." Then she threw herself into the challenges tooth and nail, researched what she didn't know, AND ACHIEVED!!! She let nothing stop her.

Maggie is obviously a kind and caring person who loves nature and God's creatures. She cares deeply for the best interests of animals, birds, and especially African Greys. In the spirit of caring, she also started "Grey Play Round table Meetings," as well as a newsletter and magazine, to help African Grey owners learn how to better care for their companions.

And, in caring, Maggie writes a very important 26 page chapter "Animal Rights" toward the end of this book. If you are a pet lover, you simply MUST read it. She explains animal guardianship vs. animal ownership--what the difference is and why it's important to you to understand the difference--I was not the slightest bit aware and have had pets all my life. I wonder how many others have absolutely no idea. Maggie taught me a lot about the Animal Rights vs. the Animal Welfare perspective. Many activists want to change us from pet owners to pet guardians. "Guardianship" (rather than "ownership") could restrict our rights as pet owners. According to an attorney, 2005 Avian Welfare Chair for the American Federation of Aviculture, changing the pets' legal status from ownership to guardianship means we would no longer OWN our pets; the government would own them. This means the State would have the power to say who will care for the animal and any/all decisions regarding the health/care/destruction of the animal. Think about the pets you love, folks. If somebody decides the breed of dog you have is dangerous, it may not matter how loving your pet is. It could be seized and euthanized. There goes Big Brother, taking more of our rights again. You also want to read about NAIS in this chapter. She also explains that there are still Pigeon Shoots, using live pigeons for target practice!

God bless all of you who open your hearts to compassion and love for animals, nature, and even those critters that are not our favorites. Love is probably the most important thing there is. If we all truly loved, would we even need rules and laws? Open your senses, connect with Nature, feel grounded and centered (I do a quickie connection every morning, then express gratitude, clear negativity, and ask God to fill the void with peace and love so I may share it with others.)

What a wonderful book--written from the heart of Maggie Wright.
God Bless You, Maggie!

Namaste'

This well-written autobiography will appeal to pet owners, wildlife protectors and anyone who enjoys a story of triumph. Margaret Wright tells a fast-moving story of a painful childhood, successful careers, many challenges and, ultimately, finding her true self through the companionship of African Grey parrots.

On a very serious note, Chapter 10 contains a clear description of the difference between Animal Welfare and Animal Rights. Given the current climate, it's worth buying the book for this very important information alone. But it's most of all a heartwarming story. And who can't use a little cheering up in these difficult days?

Animals can be a great shoulder to cry on when humanity is so cruel. "Bringing Back the Magic" is one woman reflecting on how she became who she is today. Margaret T. Wright lost her mother at a very young age, and to cope, she found comfort in an African Grey Parrot and today is an expert on the species. Encouraging those who are struck by tragedy to look to their feathered or furry friends, "Bringing Back the Magic" is fine and helpful reading.

BRINGING BACK THE MAGIC, by Margaret Wright, resonates for anyone who has ever had their life enriched by an animal companion -- bird or mammal!
Wright tells of a childhood damaged by tragedy, an adulthood of career successes and disappointments, and the magic changes for her that came about when African Grey parrot[s] came into her life to stay. From this transformation grew concern and action to see that all our animal companions remain just that- ours.
Wonder what I mean by that?
Read BRINGING BACK THE MAGIC -- best memoir I have read this year.

Miranda Dekay

I enjoyed this book very much. As a story of one person's lifelong relationship with nature and all that it holds and should mean to every human, it is touching and uplifting. Anyone who lives with a parrot, as I do, will especially enjoy this book. The section where Ms. Wright discusses the difference between pet ownership vs. guardianship and this issue's very serious potential impact on our lives with our pets, is critical reading for all people who either live with or just love animals.

A lovely story of one woman's engagement with animals from childhood through adulthood. She finds the center of her life when she begins to share her world with an African grey parrot, Merlin and Merlin, as his name might have indicated, brings magic -- and a world of other birds. Wright's tale is the story of her relationship with her parrots -- including the world famous Alex -- but it is also the story of how bruised lives can be mended with time and love and nonhuman companions. It is more than a personal story, though. Wright has forceful positions on human and nonhuman animal relationships. Being already in the choir, I applaud her positions and the intelligence with which she formulates them. I read this book right after reading "Alex and Me" by Irene Pepperberg. Alex & Me: How a Scientist and a Parrot Uncovered a Hidden World of Animal Intelligence--and Formed a Deep Bond in the Process And the two make excellent companions. I happen to be a "parrot person," but anyone who cares about animals in our homes and animals in the wild will find this book a happy read. And it does read easily. A single sitting, in my case. Not even enough time for my parrot to chew the pages.

Peggy Kaye

Margaret (Maggie) Wright is the author of an easy-to-read book with a particularly important chapter on the difference between Animal Rights & Animal Welfare. The more people who read her book, the more will know about this subject. Please consider buying the book for a holiday gift which will not only be a gift for your friends, but for the animals we all love as well.

"Bringing Back The Magic" spoke to me on many levels, as it will to anyone who is an animal lover and/or had a difficult childhood. The strength and hope that our animals bring to us (be it a pet or a friendly squirrel) is portrayed here, as is their companionship, fierce loyalty and unconditional love which give us the courage to face life's challenges and carry on.
Maggie Wright had the courage to voice what many if us have learned and kept to ourselves: Along with their intelligence, the perception birds have of our emotions, physical well-being and events that have or are happening and that we have not yet perceived. Not to mention their ability to know exactly what we're eating from two rooms away!!
I highly recommend this book to anyone, and to bird and parrot lovers in particular, who will identify with and love, this book. I cherish mine.
Congratulations to Maggie Wright on this masterpiece.

Margaret Wright's memoir "Bringing Back the Magic," is a true testament of finding "magic" in the incredible and unconditional love we receive from our animals whether domesticated or in the wild. It is truly a wonderful book of overcoming loss and finding the amazing love animals have to offer. If you love animals it is a must read. -Frances Taylor

"Bringing Back The Magic" woke up some things in me that had long been forgotten in the busy world we live in. She took me on a journey with her, not always pleasant for Maggie, but a true learning and growing experience for her and as me as well. Thank you for having the courage to open yourself up to all of us.

This book is for anyone that loves nature, loves life, is a bird owner or just wanting to be inspired by a person who truely has been through lifes up and down and come out on top. If you want to learn about yourself, your bird and where we are going with our birds.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone.