Customer Reviews

Steve and Me: Life with the Crocodile Hunter

5 star:		(80)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is full of the REAL inside story of Steve Irwin, the man who has probably done more for wildlife than anyone, and it's jam-packed with stories of strange and wonderful animals, but the real surprise is the love story that is at the heart of it. I thought I knew everything about the Crocodile Hunter, but his wife Terri Irwin opens a window on his private life. Just as unbelievable as his exploits in the animal kingdom was the fact that he and Terri found each other. It was truly destiny. She was the one woman perfect for him, and he was the one man perfect for her. I wept real tears all over again for his death, but this book is as much a tribute to his life and his loves than a mourning of his loss. Incredible, easy-to-read and unforgettable.

As another person here commented, those who know the Steve and Terri Irwin story will already be familiar with events about which Mrs. Irwin writes in her book. However, she provides a few more details of the back stories to these events and about which fans would otherwise not have known. This book is an easy, well-written read -- but as with all things "Steve Irwin" -- who was bigger than life itself -- I wanted to know more about how he got so many things "so right" about his life. Thus, I had hoped to find even more information about him in Mrs. Irwin's book.

What life events shaped Steve Irwin and which caused him to become such a perfect human being -- allowing him to achieve those most basics of things in life that many of us can only dream about? He realized his life's passion and focus; he became so successful in promoting wildlife and conservation; he impacted the world with his many gifts; he loved and was genuinally loved by his parents and sisters; he chose a perfect wife for himself and who shared his love and his passions while she herself realized her own special gifts; he became a parent to two extraordinarily healthy, balanced, confident, happy and -- likely because of what we have already seen -- genuinely gifted and talented children; he surrounded himself with real friends -- and he demonstrated himself as a well-loved and respected leader of people and as a well-regarded employer. The list of Steve Irwin's life's achievements could go on forever -- but his core attraction -- that which endeared him to fans the world over -- was that he did everything with enormous joy, enthusiasm, focus, intent, belief, humor, and authenticity. Steve Irwin was simply an incredible story -- yet amazingly, just by being himself -- he also became a super-hero intent on saving our world and showing us how -- in a world so indifferent to destroying itself.

Fans will genuinely enjoy the love story about which Mrs. Irwin writes. Her book does provide yet other clues about who Steve Irwin really was. And for that, I recommend anyone to read this book. Frankly, the Irwin Family are an inspiration for what it means to be well-connected to our souls and what can be accomplished in our lives when the fundamentals of having genuine family and friends around you are fulfilled. I believe Steve Irwin also showed us that our connection to animals and our planet Earth -- is far more important to our present and future lives -- than many of us yet realize.

Perhaps a desire for privacy kept Mrs. Irwin's writing from becoming too revealing of this man she knew so well. Perhaps fans need to wait for another author to write about Steve Irwin, who while respecting the Irwin legacy and his family's needs, can yet objectively put forward even more information about this man that we all seem to need to know more about. I hope so. Steve Irwin reached through our television screens and compelled us -- not by order -- but by instilling in us a genuine desire -- to protect wildlife. If only other "Steve Irwins" could be duplicated in all walks of life, in many professions, as father-figure in many families -- wouldn't our world be a fabulous place to be? Who wouldn't want to wake-up each day to a life of pure adventure, joy and laughter?

Thanks for taking us along for the ride, Steve. We still deeply miss you, mate. And, Mrs. Irwin? Thank you -- for sharing your precious memories.

A lovely and well written book that is an easy read. I enjoyed it a great deal. They are a wonderful family that has given so much. Recommend the book highly.

I purchased this book as soon as it became avialable and I read it in one day- I couldnt put it down! At times it made me laugh and at other times it made me cry. I think Terri Irwin is a very strong woman to be able to write this beautiful book for her children. She is an inspiration to them.

I LOVED this book by Terri Irwin! I loved reading it and riding the wave of excitement that she had meeting and falling in love with such an outstanding, incredible and loving man. What a perfect partnership! I think that Terri and the kids deserve some privacy and want to keep some details for them and them alone. I have been an fan for years and feel as if a relative/friend of mine had died when we lost Steve. I wish I could find a soulmate just like like him. Lucky Terri!

This book gives us a look at the man behind the legend. He was larger than life and will be missed by all. Terri's account of how they met and when they dated, was great.

Thank you, Terri!

I'm sure most fans of Steve Irwin felt connected to him on a personal level. That was one of his true gifts in front of a camera, and he had my family hooked with his enthusiasm and knowledge the first time we watched a Croc Hunter episode.

My connections also go back to my childhood in Oregon. I went to school with Terri Irwin. She was two years ahead of me at Eugene Christian School. A tomboy who was also pretty, she caught the eye of many boys, and I was surprised when I realized that was her on the TV show. She had really married the Croc Hunter himself. On the other hand, it seemed like a match made in heaven, knowing of her wildlife interests in Oregon.

"Steve and Me" is a detailed love story, as well as a modern tale of tragedy and triumph that should be enjoyed by all who enjoy life, realistic romance, animals, and mankind. Terri, in her own words, gives wonderful glimpses into the man we all saw on the TV screen. She shows him with his faults and struggles, but gives him honor on every page as she reveals his true heart for the world around him. In the conclusion, she is respectful yet candid about her dealings with her husband's passing, focusing instead on the wonder of his life.

My wife and I got this book for Christmas. We read a few chapters aloud a night, laughing a lot and shedding a tear or two. There are numerous stories full of humor and danger and factual knowledge. This is a fantastic collection and memoir, a great ode to one of the world's most renowned "wildlife warriors," and an encouragement to every married couple, every son and daughter, anyone with a dream to change the world around them.

Steve & Me is a beautiful memoir by Terri Irwin of her husband. The writing is conversational in style and very quick reading. For those readers familiar with Steve and Terri from The Crocodile Hunter this book has been warmly anticipated and for readers who have little familiarity the book may require a bit of orientation. Terri begins, appropriately, with her meeting of Steve and then goes back in time to provide a look into Terri's experiences with wildlife, particularly with Malina, the cougar that she rescued. I found this part of the book particularly interesting since I knew only a little about Terri Irwin's background.

We follow her to her marriage with Steve and the beginning of their documentaries. The chapter dealing with Steve's childhood and his family occurs around the middle of the book. Terri has related her marriage with Steve in quite a lot of detail. I was a regular viewer of their documentaries since the very beginning and her portrait of Steve and how driven he was filled in many gaps in my understanding of the man and his passion for conservation. This is a personal book and is not intended to be a biography of Steve Irwin. We are being permitted a look into the world of Steve and Terri as if we were sitting with her at Australia Zoo having a conversation. What I found fascinating was how driven Steve was and how intense his level of activity was. But he also had a deep connection with the people around him and an instinct for understanding and communicating with animals.

This is a wonderful book and enjoyable reading. I would also, someday, like to see a biography of Steve Irwin that would fully encompass his life and work, and I hope that Terri would consider such a project that would chronicle her husband's devotion to conservation and his encounters with wildlife.

Denial is my best way of coping with the untimely death of the most famous Aussie in the world, Steve Irwin. I still cannot accept the terms of which lead him to an early and unexpected death. Not only me, but the world mourns loosing this great man - who did so much in the battle to defend endangered species in our world. And so, I cling to my denial - as only denial can comfort me.
Out of the blue I spied this book on a shelf, at a book store with Steve's face on the cover - I didn't even peek inside to read the preface or book reviews. I bought the book unconditionally because I needed to know more about this amazing bushman; imagining what he'd be up to if he never took that nasty dive off the boat for the show, Oceans Deadliest. In my mind, in the comfortable outback of my denial, I wanted to visualize Steve living deep in the wilds of the Aussie Outback. He'd happily occupy his days working with sick or injured animals of Australia, with his mate Terri helping him. They'd be out in a veterinarian shack, located in a remote place - behind a muddy mirage - smack dab in the middle of nowhere. Every day he'd don the famous khaki shorts and shirt, and he'd do his thing. Ahh, denial. It solves my sadness, if only for a temporary moment in time.
Terri Irwin wrote the story of her life and how radically it changed upon meeting Steve Irwin, at his family run zoo in Australia in 1991. She brings us all back to reality and tells us how Steve and she met. During a tour at the Australia Zoo, a big, blonde, hairy bloke with a friendly face and big voice said G'day to her, and knocked her off her feet. It was love at first sight for Terri and within the year, the two of them wed, and were off to a most exhilarating adventure of living life with one another.
Terri and Steve were a pair of kindred hearts; the kind of people that would rescue stray animals from the wild, like crocodiles, cougars and a Tasmanian devil or two. They were always kept very busy, from sun-up to sun-down, working physically very hard on their zoo down under, and doing extensive traveling for the shows they became famous the world over for; shows showing nature and animals and why these creatures were becoming extinct. They lived life humbly and didn't wish to exploit themselves or the animals in the process. They understood that conservation begins with educating the masses of our world.
The book is chock-a-block full of interesting stories about Australia and its outback. There is a story about the wild dingo dogs and the amazing fence that was constructed to keep the dingos out. I was amazed that Mrs. Irwin was able to take those long trips out into the wild, into remote locations in the outback, where the insects came in jumbo size only, with stingers to match, and the snakes out there were the world's most venomous. Terri was a healthy lass, to her credit; she did manage to keep up with Steve and his wildlife interactions.
There are many wonderful photos that were lovingly inserted in the center of this fine book. This can either break your heart completely or fill your eyes with joy; depending on your world outlook. My eyes only can feel the joy of Steve for his family, while I see his pictures. His legacy lives on.
The story could not be complete without Mrs. Irwin telling the final chapter involving the unforeseen circumstances which led to her husband's accidental death while swimming in Batt Reef. She did the deed, even though it pains us all to have to accept the facts. Our hero Steve is gone from this beautiful Earth. I didn't want to have to accept this sad reality, but the truth remains. A man that wasn't afraid to get both feet muddy in his quest to save wild animals from extinction must face his risks head-on. Steve Irwin always did have a preoccupation with dying young, and being taken from his task as a wildlife warrior too soon. Yet he persevered in his career, full speed ahead. His wife as his witness and as the only one to stand up and testify on his life, Terri Irwin tells it like nobody else can.
I loved this book and while reading it, I could visualize the remote regions of the outback in Australia. I imagined the great span of vast open Aussie sky; how vibrant blue it must be with the sun shinning at midday - and how it cools to a deep blue to dark purple at dusk. The most unusual creatures of our world hail from Australia; Steve Irwin being perhaps the most unique and most loved of all. We will miss him tremendously. There has never been another person born with such passion and love for his animal friends; I am sad to know he is gone. This wonderful book is helping me accept the truth, because I know that Steve always stood up for telling the truth.
Thank you, Terri Irwin for writing this book, which brings me closer to the ideals of Steve and his organization to preserve our crocs and endangered species worldwide. Writing this book must have been difficult, but it could be a source of strength and comfort to you and your family for years to come. Stories in this book are worth reading, and sharing and retelling. This is a book for all persons who love Steve Irwin and his animals to read and enjoy.

I read this book in just under three evenings after work at night. I just couldn't put it down.

Both fans and those that want to know more about Steve Irwin through the "eyes" of his beloved wife Terri, will cherish this book. Those that are curious about the "Crocodile Hunter" will receive a quick understanding of the man larger than life, and also become aware of the efforts he and Terri made and those that are needed to preserve our wildlife.

My family has been fans for years and have just about every episode of just about everything from "Croc Files", to "Crocodile Hunter" to their MGM movie of 2002 to the "Jungle Girl" on tape or DVD. Read just about everything else too.

This was an amazing read, from a strong, courageous woman, battling her way through her life's devestation of losing her soulmate. Their very private moments or conversations are still too raw, but STILL they are their private moments, and are up to Terri to share with the world or not. I am thankful for the few that she did choose to share with the world.

I truly was immersed and enjoyed several moments of Steve's life that I didn't know otherwise, that Terri brought to light regarding Steve's internal thought process.

What an amazing warrior he was and an amazing woman Terri Irwin is today!!!

MaryB