Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

What a fantastic book. Can't stop thinking about it even a couple of weeks after I read it. The book alternates between Jacob Jankowski's present day, to old memories. The 90+ year old protagonist spent a large portion of his youth as a circus hand. He worked with all the animals, but particularly with Rosie, an elephant. The author gives a great description of what times must have been like travelling with a third -rate circus during the Great Depression. Events start with a murder, and continue with an emotional roller coaster ride of a read to the surprising but satisfying end. Read it if you're a history buff, or an elephant buff, or a circus buff or if you just want a good book, but I'll warn you that you'll never look at elderly people the same way again.