Pigs of Paradise: The Story of the World-Famous Swimming Pigs

I just learned about this book and its upcoming release about a week or two before I had a trip planned to Nassau, so after returning, I pre-ordered it and finished it in a single day. So first, before my review sounds too "all about me", buy this book. It is a fantastic read! And now to what got me... I had two tour companies cancel on me in Nassau for expected high winds. Going to swim w/those pigs was on my bucket list, so I threw all caution to the wind and left all my friends I'd traveled to the Bahamas with (literally) and I booked a ticket for one on a tiny plane and with with a tour company directly on Staniel Cay, where I was met by an amazing captain/tour guide. As the book mentions people becoming desperate to get there - that was me. I was panic-stricken and anxious about how I was going to get there after those two companies cancelled on me, but I was determined to check this off my bucket list, and doing it direct from Staniel Cay was the way to go. I had the single best day of my entire life (shout out to Captain Keiran)! I'm still reeling from the beauty of the Exumas and how swimming with pigs in pristine clear waters somehow took me to a childlike state, where any and every worry in the world flew out the window. I literally squealed (no pig-pun intended) with delight when we approached and Joan the pig came swimming right toward our boat. I say that to now share this - Pigs in Paradise got me in the feels, for sure. I laughed, I cried, I worried, I laughed and teared up some more. Maybe if I hadn't just visited the pigs, I wouldn't have been so emotional. And then again, maybe I would have anyway. The book is so well-written, rich with history, anecdotes, humanity struggles, and of course, all centered around the pigs and people who care so deeply for them. It was also heartwarming for me to hear so much about the lovely people of Staniel Cay, as well as comparisons to 'Charlotte's Web', which was my favorite childhood book. I could not put the book down and even as I write this, wonder when I can go back and see them again. All. In. The. Feels. For anyone who has visited the swimming pigs, this book is a must-read, as it makes you feel like you are right there again and the book is part of your own story. For anyone who has not, it is still a must-read and chances are, Pig Island will be on your bucket list before you're even halfway done with the book. Buy this book - it's awesome!

For those of you who have never been to the Exuma Islands in the Bahamas - which is likely most of you - you have no idea what you are missing out on. I have been very fortunate to have been there many times, and it is unlike anywhere else I have ever been in my life. And it is very quick and easy to get to from most of the US and Canada. This book captures the essence of the Exumas perfectly, including its most famous inhabitants these days...the swimming pigs. I strongly recommend the book, and strongly recommend an excursion to the Exuma Islands!

When I was young I had a pet pig so I have an understanding of how the folks at Exuma feel about their swimming pigs. But I was surprised to learn how the relationship has developed with the rest of the world. I can also understand how some people have behaved badly with the swimming porkers causing the institution of rules and regulations during the visits. Learning how the world has taken to these swimming phenomena makes reading this quite enjoyable. I am glad these pigs are being well cared for and envy those who can visit them.

If you have visited the swimming pigs in the Bahamas or plan to do so you will truly enjoy this book! It provides the unique history of how they went from being a well kept secret for a few boaters to the social media phenomenon they have become. There are also great photos and stories of the many individuals who have contributed to their popularity.

Magical. This is the best word I can write to describe Exuma and the experience of swimming with the pigs. I've been traveling to Exuma for almost a decade and it's one of the most incredible places I've visited. Jeff's book brings the magic to life. If you've been this book is a must for reliving memories. If you haven't been, it's still a must. Read it and it will soon be added to your bucket list!

A great read! I truly loved this book. I couldn't put it down! It answers many questions about the history of the pigs, and conveys how they came to be such a phenomenon. The photographs that were included in the book put a smile on my face, as I remember how I felt the first time I saw the pigs many years ago. I give it two 'hooves' up! Very well written, the paper is high quality, and I will be ordering more for Christmas gifts!

Fabulous book! It is engaging, informative and makes you think. It is a quick easy read. Any one who travels or likes animals and pigs will enjoy it.

So it's OK to be Fern? Interesting book and thoroughly enjoyed reading this. I knew of the swimming pigs, have never seen them, but can imagine it being quite fabulous and I liked the fact that the question raised of man's relationship to animals, was a good one and one I often ask myself.

Great book - love the photos. Author is genuine and the content is relevant and informative. I cannot wait for my visit to swim with the pigs in January 2019. I will be using my book as a reference when I go.

I have visited Exuma once just this year, in July. We of course booked a trip to swim with the pigs. So it was only fitting that I buy this book. The first few pages gives me chills. The island is in fact of of the most magical places I have visited. (And I’ve been to Bora Bora, French Polynesian) the story behind the famous pigs is even better. 🐷🏝🌊☀️🐽📚

I just learned about this book and its upcoming release about a week or two before I had a trip planned to Nassau, so after returning, I pre-ordered it and finished it in a single day. So first, before my review sounds too "all about me", buy this book. It is a fantastic read! And now to what got me... I had two tour companies cancel on me in Nassau for expected high winds. Going to swim w/those pigs was on my bucket list, so I threw all caution to the wind and left all my friends I'd traveled to the Bahamas with (literally) and I booked a ticket for one on a tiny plane and with with a tour company directly on Staniel Cay, where I was met by an amazing captain/tour guide. As the book mentions people becoming desperate to get there - that was me. I was panic-stricken and anxious about how I was going to get there after those two companies cancelled on me, but I was determined to check this off my bucket list, and doing it direct from Staniel Cay was the way to go. I had the single best day of my entire life (shout out to Captain Keiran)! I'm still reeling from the beauty of the Exumas and how swimming with pigs in pristine clear waters somehow took me to a childlike state, where any and every worry in the world flew out the window. I literally squealed (no pig-pun intended) with delight when we approached and Joan the pig came swimming right toward our boat. I say that to now share this - Pigs in Paradise got me in the feels, for sure. I laughed, I cried, I worried, I laughed and teared up some more. Maybe if I hadn't just visited the pigs, I wouldn't have been so emotional. And then again, maybe I would have anyway. The book is so well-written, rich with history, anecdotes, humanity struggles, and of course, all centered around the pigs and people who care so deeply for them. It was also heartwarming for me to hear so much about the lovely people of Staniel Cay, as well as comparisons to 'Charlotte's Web', which was my favorite childhood book. I could not put the book down and even as I write this, wonder when I can go back and see them again. All. In. The. Feels. For anyone who has visited the swimming pigs, this book is a must-read, as it makes you feel like you are right there again and the book is part of your own story. For anyone who has not, it is still a must-read and chances are, Pig Island will be on your bucket list before you're even halfway done with the book. Buy this book - it's awesome!

For those of you who have never been to the Exuma Islands in the Bahamas - which is likely most of you - you have no idea what you are missing out on. I have been very fortunate to have been there many times, and it is unlike anywhere else I have ever been in my life. And it is very quick and easy to get to from most of the US and Canada. This book captures the essence of the Exumas perfectly, including its most famous inhabitants these days...the swimming pigs. I strongly recommend the book, and strongly recommend an excursion to the Exuma Islands!

When I was young I had a pet pig so I have an understanding of how the folks at Exuma feel about their swimming pigs. But I was surprised to learn how the relationship has developed with the rest of the world. I can also understand how some people have behaved badly with the swimming porkers causing the institution of rules and regulations during the visits. Learning how the world has taken to these swimming phenomena makes reading this quite enjoyable. I am glad these pigs are being well cared for and envy those who can visit them.

If you have visited the swimming pigs in the Bahamas or plan to do so you will truly enjoy this book! It provides the unique history of how they went from being a well kept secret for a few boaters to the social media phenomenon they have become. There are also great photos and stories of the many individuals who have contributed to their popularity.

Magical. This is the best word I can write to describe Exuma and the experience of swimming with the pigs. I've been traveling to Exuma for almost a decade and it's one of the most incredible places I've visited. Jeff's book brings the magic to life. If you've been this book is a must for reliving memories. If you haven't been, it's still a must. Read it and it will soon be added to your bucket list!

A great read! I truly loved this book. I couldn't put it down! It answers many questions about the history of the pigs, and conveys how they came to be such a phenomenon. The photographs that were included in the book put a smile on my face, as I remember how I felt the first time I saw the pigs many years ago. I give it two 'hooves' up! Very well written, the paper is high quality, and I will be ordering more for Christmas gifts!

Fabulous book! It is engaging, informative and makes you think. It is a quick easy read. Any one who travels or likes animals and pigs will enjoy it.

So it's OK to be Fern? Interesting book and thoroughly enjoyed reading this. I knew of the swimming pigs, have never seen them, but can imagine it being quite fabulous and I liked the fact that the question raised of man's relationship to animals, was a good one and one I often ask myself.

Great book - love the photos. Author is genuine and the content is relevant and informative. I cannot wait for my visit to swim with the pigs in January 2019. I will be using my book as a reference when I go.

I have visited Exuma once just this year, in July. We of course booked a trip to swim with the pigs. So it was only fitting that I buy this book. The first few pages gives me chills. The island is in fact of of the most magical places I have visited. (And I’ve been to Bora Bora, French Polynesian) the story behind the famous pigs is even better. 🐷🏝🌊☀️🐽📚

Pretty mundane stuff. I’ve been there. Just as happy to see pigs in a field. Amazed at the public interest. But Exuma are indeed spectacular, pigs or not.

I loved this book about Exuma and the swimming pigs.Even has lots of history surrounding the story behind the pigs. I would highly recommend this book if you are planning a trip to Exuma and if not you will be after you finish reading it.

Great read. Left a copy in the lunch room at the office, and everyone is loving it! Though I've never had the opportunity to visit Exuma, this book definitely makes me feel as though I have. Great work T.R.

My wife has been begging me to take her the the Exumas to swim with the pigs so this book with some tickets was the perfect gift

Bought as gifts for friends traveling together to Bahamas, and they loved this book! History of the area, story of pigs were an interesting read before the trip.

Interesting book, great pics

After seeing the pigs in person, I had to get the book! Wonderful story and great quality book, can't wait to go back!!!

Very cool book... highly recommend to anyone interested!

In another book called "Happily Ever Esther", written by the well-known 'dads' of Esther the Wonder Pig, you can find a firsthand account of their trip to this so-called magical island. From what they saw, the pigs on the island are not given medical care. They are not spayed/neutered, so they breed at will - which has created an overpopulation of pigs on the island. Since pigs don't sweat, they are constantly left out in the tropical sun all day, which is probably the reason they spend so much time swimming - the water is their only escape from the heat. The only time they eat is when a boat comes in with food scraps. Worst of all, apparently other places in the Bahamas, hoping to capitalize on the swimming pig trend, have purposefully been dumping pigs on islands themselves. It's a sad case of a low income area hoping to cash in on any tourism opportunity they can, which sadly is not doing the pigs any favors. Please do your research before visiting places like this - unfortunately, they usually don't have the animals' best interests at heart.

If you have been to the Bahamas and seen the swimming pigs you must read this book. I saw the swimming pigs about 4 years ago. It was amazing to see pigs swim...who knew!? It was a fantastic day and experience but I had very little idea of the history. Mr. Todd's book does an excellent job providing the historical background of how the swimming pigs came to be such a phenomenon. The pictures are a fantastic and took me back to my families wonderful experience. For those of you that have not been to the Bahamas and seen the swimming pigs you must read this book. You will find the history very interesting and by the end of the book you will want to go! Highly recommended read!

I found T.R. Todd's Pigs of Paradise book the day before we had our excursion to see the Swimming Pigs of Exuma and devoured it. If I was looking forward to this once in a lifetime experience before reading the book, I absolutely could not wait to see them after reading Pigs of Paradise. Todd's book is filled with the history of this unique island, Exuma, personal stories, and the love of these special pigs by all who visit them. For me, it was a thrill to swim with, feed and love on the whole piggy crew in such a beautiful place in paradise. Todd's book made my whole experience so much richer. I highly recommend this book!!

This book is a must have for anyone interested in the Bahamas and The Swimming Pigs. From Cover to cover you'll not only be swept in with the story of the now famouse pigs...but also be in admiration of the amazing photographs. This book will definitely make you want to make a visit to the Bahamas. This is the perfect coffee table book and would make an awesome gift!

High quality book, well written and easy read, gives a good perspective from a local point of view, their way fo thinking and then transformation in becoming a major tourism event for The Bahamas, fun reading while relaxing in the Exumas or The Bahamas in General, gives you a good connection with the islands and their beauty. The author also with his living experience in The Bahamas made a lot of time to ensure accuracy and respect for the local population

I like the surprisingly deep and interesting story behind the swimming pigs in Exuma. This book goes deeper than just how the swimming pigs started to swim, but also touches on other angles regarding pigs.

If you are a lover of the Bahamas then this is an absolute must read! I’ve been visiting the swimming pigs in the Exumas for 10 years now and J.R Todd captures everything I’ve loved about them. It’s a book you can share with family and friends to give them an experience that is sometimes hard to explain in your own words. Todd did an excellent job of capturing so many cool moments. Put this book on your Christmas lists this year!

Love true story

Tells you all of the history behind the swimming pigs.

An excellent read. I am mad about pigs and recently visited the Bahamas. The book gave an real insight in to the pigs and Bahamas. A very interesting book.

Received my copy today and couldn’t be more thrilled If the swimming pigs of the Exumas is on your bucket list , this is defiantly a great gift idea The hard cover is quality! Read all about how the swimming pigs came to be And the trials and tribulations Fantastic pictures and information Can’t wait to share with friends Christmas is coming