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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
“Because you have seen something doesn't mean you can explain it. Differing interpretations will always abound, even when good minds come to bear. The kernel of indisputable information is a dot in space; interpretations grow out of the desire to make this point a line, to give it direction. The directions in which it can be sent, the uses to which it can be put by a culturally, professionally, and geographically diverse society are almost without limit. The possibilities make good scientists chary.”
I read 25o pages of Arctic Dreams before I decided to DNF it. I should have known right away when a footnote in the book stated that the author would be using the term "Eskimo" throughout the book for native arctic people European explorers met since the 1600's. Then the book continues to use the derogatory word throughout the book referring to the modern day native people as Eskimos. This book was published back in 1986 a time when such things were tolerated against the natives wishes. In today's society (2021) we do not tolerate such things and are trying to learn from mistakes of the past making this world a better place to live in.
There were other reasons as to why I could not finish this book. One such reason was that it was dry. There were times when the prose was absolutely beautiful but for the majority of the writing I felt my mind wandering to other things. Another reason for not finishing was that the author comes off as pompous and all knowing. According to the author other people don't appreciate the landscape as much as he, or know as much as he does. It was unfortunate.
I will be rating what I read as a 2.5/5. There were many things about this book that were awe inspiring. The descriptions in the Narwhal section and Musk Oxen section were breathtaking. I learned much about the species and have a new found respect for how native people honor their kills. Each chapter was thematic and I appreciated that. The author is able to blend science with poetic prose creating the landscape of the Arctic.
I have a new found respect for the arctic and its many creatures. Some that I had no idea existed. For this reason I've warranted the 2.5 out of 5 stars. But alas I could not finish the book simply because it is hard to follow in many places and the authors lack of respect for calling native Alaskans by a derogatory term. I'm not sure if I will be picking up another one of Lopez books. While beautiful I feel like I'm not able to follow along with the author wholeheartedly.
I read 25o pages of Arctic Dreams before I decided to DNF it. I should have known right away when a footnote in the book stated that the author would be using the term "Eskimo" throughout the book for native arctic people European explorers met since the 1600's. Then the book continues to use the derogatory word throughout the book referring to the modern day native people as Eskimos. This book was published back in 1986 a time when such things were tolerated against the natives wishes. In today's society (2021) we do not tolerate such things and are trying to learn from mistakes of the past making this world a better place to live in.
There were other reasons as to why I could not finish this book. One such reason was that it was dry. There were times when the prose was absolutely beautiful but for the majority of the writing I felt my mind wandering to other things. Another reason for not finishing was that the author comes off as pompous and all knowing. According to the author other people don't appreciate the landscape as much as he, or know as much as he does. It was unfortunate.
I will be rating what I read as a 2.5/5. There were many things about this book that were awe inspiring. The descriptions in the Narwhal section and Musk Oxen section were breathtaking. I learned much about the species and have a new found respect for how native people honor their kills. Each chapter was thematic and I appreciated that. The author is able to blend science with poetic prose creating the landscape of the Arctic.
I have a new found respect for the arctic and its many creatures. Some that I had no idea existed. For this reason I've warranted the 2.5 out of 5 stars. But alas I could not finish the book simply because it is hard to follow in many places and the authors lack of respect for calling native Alaskans by a derogatory term. I'm not sure if I will be picking up another one of Lopez books. While beautiful I feel like I'm not able to follow along with the author wholeheartedly.
informative
slow-paced
I returned to this book after having read the more recent Horizon. Although the two books cover some of the same ground, Horizon is the better book, perhaps because it has the feel of an older author. The initial chapters of Arctic Dreams are based around individual animals and were the most interesting for me. I found the cultural context that is central to many of the chapters equally fascinating, though the chapter on explorers strayed beyond my core interests.
informative
slow-paced
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Honestly, I probably would’ve enjoyed this book better if I read it rather than listened to it. It is very dense with the names of people and places. It even might have been helpful to have a map to be able to appreciate how vast the area is that is discussed in the book and how various places are related to each other. With that said, this book as well written and the narrator did a great job.
informative
slow-paced
I liked it until the last couple chapters. Very detailed look at life in the Arctic.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
adventurous
informative
reflective
slow-paced
I really loved this book. It woven together disparate threads in such a beautiful way. It seemed very hopeful about the human race, in many ways, celebrating what we all (and the animals and plants that surround us, for that matter) have in common. Reminded me of Rebecca Solnit’s The Faraway Nearby in some ways, and made me want to explore the arctic.