Published
On this page you can find a sample of the books and articles written by Benjamin.
We Bought A Zoo

The amazing true story that inspired the major Hollywood motion picture. We Bought A Zoo is about one family, a broken down zoo, and the wild animals that changed their lives forever. When the Mee's bought a dilapidated Zoo on the edge of Dartmoor, they were prepared for a challenge. With over 200 exotic animals to care for, Ben's hands, and those of his wife, children and tiny team of keepers, were full.
What they weren't prepared for was Katherine's devastating second brain cancer diagnosis. Ben found himself juggling the daunting responsibilities of managing the park's staff and finances, while holding the bailiffs at bay and caring for his wife.
A moving and entertaining story of courage and a family's attempts to rebuild a zoo, and carry on after Katherine's tragic death.
The Call of DIY: A Toolkit of Practical Wisdom

No-one can ever avoid DIY for ever. One day you'll look at the stained plaster, the wonky garden fence, or the hole in the door where the cat-flap should be and think, 'Why should I pay someone else when I can do it myself?' It is at that moment that you have heard The Call of DIY.
DIY is an inevitable fact of modern life. But it is not just about improving your home; it's also about improving your life. From wiring a plug to laying a patio, successful DIY is a state of mind. It's as much about fixing the leak as knowing how to stay sane and, above all, amused.


























Standing nose to nose with 'Lucky' the 2,500 kilogram Elephant - What happened next?

On a trip to Thailand to visting elephant conservation projects, Benjamin Mee steps into the jungle to be confronted with a 2,500 kilgram elephant. This is what happened next.














Designer Diaries

The latest installment on the Mee's barns. This month the final tie with London is cut, and Ben and Katherine meet that all-important figure - the builder. They both write a diary about their experiences - Ben's not sure if he's seeing things, and Katherine gets to grips with the local bureaucracy.


How to be a good client

The Health and Safety Executive tells us that construction is officially the UK's most dangerous industry, with 71 workers killed between 2002-3. In addition, 4,480 were seriously injured, and 9,587 suffered injuries that kept them off work for more than 3 days. Here's a look at how to be safe on site so that you can enjoy your project.






















Standing nose to nose with 'Lucky' the 2,500 kilogram Elephant - What happened next?

On a trip to Thailand to visting elephant conservation projects, Benjamin Mee steps into the jungle to be confronted with a 2,500 kilgram elephant. This is what happened next.











Designer Diaries

The latest installment on the Mee's barns. This month the final tie with London is cut, and Ben and Katherine meet that all-important figure - the builder. They both write a diary about their experiences - Ben's not sure if he's seeing things, and Katherine gets to grips with the local bureaucracy.


How to be a good client

The Health and Safety Executive tells us that construction is officially the UK's most dangerous industry, with 71 workers killed between 2002-3. In addition, 4,480 were seriously injured, and 9,587 suffered injuries that kept them off work for more than 3 days. Here's a look at how to be safe on site so that you can enjoy your project.