Review by Choice Review
In a world of "doom and gloom" reports of habitat loss and destruction, renowned primatologist Goodall provides hope to readers by presenting documented successes of several animal conservation programs around the world. Broken into six main sections, the book allows readers to journey with Goodall as she meets, talks, and works with some of the key conservationists and biologists that were directly responsible for each of the current survival populations of the species discussed. Pictures and beautiful photographs supplement this part memoir, part historical review of conservation efforts, and further demonstrate what could have been lost as well as why every species (even insects most people do not want to protect) is crucial to the ecosystem around it. Sections include brief introductions and the personal field notes of Thane Maynard (executive director, Cincinnati Zoo). Additionally, there is a "What You Can Do" appendix for readers compelled to take action and further ignite conservation initiatives and programs. Although at times there are superficial examinations of the issues, including reasons why certain sides were taken in a debate over a species, overall this book offers a good introduction to animal conservation. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and general audiences. K. K. Goldbeck Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
This hopeful book is about hope, about the optimism that field scientists and environmentalists feel for the survival of the rare species they work with. Lead author Jane Goodall needs no introduction; as Cincinnati Zoo director and coauthor Thane Maynard points out, most of the conservationists he and Goodall spoke with for this volume mentioned the key role she had in shaping their careers. And what wonderful, difficult, and yet finally heartening careers these researchers have had are revealed in these stories of endangered species that have been rescued from the brink of extinction. Goodall traveled the world to meet with various scientists and discuss with them their successful work with species ranging from the American burying beetle to the Formosan landlocked salmon, the Attwater's prairie chicken, and the ploughshare tortoise. Goodall's intimate writing style and sense of wonder pull the reader into each account, as the scientists explain what they had to do to rescue each species and Goodall marvels at the accomplishment. The mix of personal and scientific makes for a compelling read.--Bent, Nancy Copyright 2009 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
With the resurgence of red wolves and California condors, there is good news on the species front, as chronicled in this collection of success stories by renowned chimp researcher Goodall. Section one recounts the revival of six mammal and bird species, including Mongolian miniature horses and Australian wallabies, that became extinct in the wild but are being reintroduced to their natural habitat through captive breeding. Section two describes efforts to bring species back from near extinction, among them Brazil's golden lion tamarin and the North American whooping crane. Section three details continuing efforts to preserve 11 species, including the giant pandas of China, whose bamboo diet is disappearing, and the Asian vultures of India, whose "disastrous population drop"-from a reported 87 million birds to 27 breeding pairs in 2006-has led to a dramatic rise in disease incubated by putrefying cattle carcasses once scavenged by the carrion-loving birds. Goodall is no Pollyanna about species reclamation-she acknowledges that there have been more losses than gains-but these accounts of conservation success are inspirational. (Sept. 2) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
Primatologist/anthropologist and prolific author Goodall follows up Harvest for Hope (2005) with this inspiring book on the future of the animal kingdom in which she discusses efforts undertaken by environmentalists worldwide that are helping to pull endangered species back from the brink of extinction and emphasizes the need to protect these species' habitats. Goodall-with her gentle, inimitable voice-reads most of the text herself, while coauthor/Cincinnati Zoo director Maynard reads the foreword and field notes. A bonus PDF contains photos and "What You Can Do" resources. With its powerful and important message, this book has the muscle both to inspire and effect real change; highly recommended. [The Grand Central hc was recommended for "readers interested in wildlife, ecology, and armchair travel," LJ 7/09.-Ed.]-Gloria Maxwell, Metropolitan Community Coll.-Penn Valley Lib., Kansas City, MO (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A heartening collection of conservation success stories from world-renowned primatologist Goodall (Harvest for Hope: A Guide to Mindful Eating, 2005, etc.), with field notes from Cincinnati Zoo director Maynard (Komodo Dragons, 2006, etc.) At 75, the author of the classic In the Shadow of Man (1971) offers good news about the environment drawn from her worldwide travels with the Jane Goodall Institute. Writing with warmth and good humor, the author presents a cornucopia of stories about people and groups who have worked tirelesslyand often against great oddsto save or help in the recovery of more than two-dozen animal species on the brink of extinction. Based on in-person conversations with biologists and others, her chatty accounts paint a vivid picture of how captive breeding and other initiatives by passionate individuals, governments and NGOs have brought back species nearly decimated by development, hunting, pollution and other human activities. A few stories are familiar, such as the establishment of a new migratory flock of whooping cranesGoodall flew in an ultra-light aircraft that leads young cranes to winter quarters in Floridabut most have been little-noticed. These include China's Milu deer (aka P're David's Deer), which barely survived food deprivations in two world wars, were saved by several Europeans and reintroduced in China from a British estate in 1986; the dwindling golden lion tamarins of Brazil, which were bred at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., until they could be released in Brazil with the help of local farmers; and the millions of Asian vultures that once cleaned up cattle carcasses in India and Pakistan are returning after actions to eliminate two recently discovered threatsthe drug Diclofenac, which is lethal to the birds, and the harmful powdered-glass coatings on kite strings, often used in Asia's popular kite festivals. Notable sections of the book describe efforts to save birds on isolated island environments threatened by alien speciesall but 18 of the remaining Stephen's Island wrens off the coast of New Zealand were killed by a lighthouse keeper's cat in the late 19th centuryand the discovery of new species and ecosystems, such as an Israeli cave system sealed off for more than two million years. An upbeat compendium that will energize both hands-on and armchair conservationists. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
