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ubermensch84's review
1.0
I understand the authors came to Botswana for the animals but their contempt for the local people is nauseating. They also do things that I imagine are frowned upon in animal research like feeding wildlife and attempting to befriend lions (Then get upset when these lions who they made comfortable around humans get shot). There are other issues other reviewers have mentioned such as illegally flying their plane without the required hours and illegally driving over salt flats on land they are supposedly there to protect.
But can look at a few quotes related to locals here:
"Lional and Justice, the top two social figures in the village." -- One would think the top social figure in the village is the kgosi (village chief). No, Lionel, a hunter, who is "well known at Riley's" and Eustice, a "magistrate-cum-rancher" are the most important social figures in the village. This provides enough insight into their perspective on the local population. Though we do learn Eustice has a local wife.
"Daisy, Eustice's Botswana wife." -- 5+ years in Botswana and the authors never bothered to learn a local person is a "Motswana," an error repeated throughout the book. (Botswana is plural).
But most appalling is their treatment of Mox, the person they hired to live with them in the desert. After a couple years of working for them Mox chose to never speak to them again, and this is likely for very good reason. But this is what the authors choose to say about his departure:
"Mox had acquired considerable recognition among the villagers. not only did he fly in an airplane, but he was the kgosi -- chief -- who worked with the people who shot lions and then brought them to life again. He was no longer the village buffoon...We never saw Mox again" (Pg 360)
This after slandering him numerous times prior in the book. Thanks to these authors hiring him he is no longer the village buffoon! And they can take credit for him being chief too!! -- Considering a kgosi is an inherited position, a more likely story is his high status in the village is what connected him to the authors and got him the job in the first place.
But the authors are not done attacking Mox. They had already acknowledged when he stopped working for them he refused to see them and they never met again, but in the epilogue they know what Mox is doing and can't help themselves.
"He still drinks beers and occasionally terrorizes the native women of Motopi."
Why even say that? Because the authors are miserable, shitty people -- we don't need to hear Mox's side of the story to know that is why he never spoke to these people again.
But can look at a few quotes related to locals here:
"Lional and Justice, the top two social figures in the village." -- One would think the top social figure in the village is the kgosi (village chief). No, Lionel, a hunter, who is "well known at Riley's" and Eustice, a "magistrate-cum-rancher" are the most important social figures in the village. This provides enough insight into their perspective on the local population. Though we do learn Eustice has a local wife.
"Daisy, Eustice's Botswana wife." -- 5+ years in Botswana and the authors never bothered to learn a local person is a "Motswana," an error repeated throughout the book. (Botswana is plural).
But most appalling is their treatment of Mox, the person they hired to live with them in the desert. After a couple years of working for them Mox chose to never speak to them again, and this is likely for very good reason. But this is what the authors choose to say about his departure:
"Mox had acquired considerable recognition among the villagers. not only did he fly in an airplane, but he was the kgosi -- chief -- who worked with the people who shot lions and then brought them to life again. He was no longer the village buffoon...We never saw Mox again" (Pg 360)
This after slandering him numerous times prior in the book. Thanks to these authors hiring him he is no longer the village buffoon! And they can take credit for him being chief too!! -- Considering a kgosi is an inherited position, a more likely story is his high status in the village is what connected him to the authors and got him the job in the first place.
But the authors are not done attacking Mox. They had already acknowledged when he stopped working for them he refused to see them and they never met again, but in the epilogue they know what Mox is doing and can't help themselves.
"He still drinks beers and occasionally terrorizes the native women of Motopi."
Why even say that? Because the authors are miserable, shitty people -- we don't need to hear Mox's side of the story to know that is why he never spoke to these people again.
n9mr9t9's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
mastrisofha's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
mobcob's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't sure what sort of book I was getting into when I started this, but I am glad I kept going. I have never painted myself as an "animal person", but Mark and Delia's tales gave me a glimpse into what it being one could be like. While reading about their parched observations of brown hyenas, I started listening for birds in my verdant riverside. I chose this book as preliminary research for a trip to southern Africa and having finished it, I am intrigued to learn more about the impact of their work. Looking into safaris I was disappointed to see modern amenities and 5 star meals instead of getting experience a small tent and some mealie meal.
sophiedoesreading's review against another edition
5.0
Heartbreaking in places, yet so inspiring, funny and informative all at the same time. I will never stop thinking about this book.
brittneyhm's review
5.0
A look into the lives of field researchers
Such an interesting read! I never thought I would be so engrossed with ecology. The lives of these researchers are incredible. To spend or better yet to dedicate your life to the cause of tracking, studying and living with lions, hyenas, jackals is so insane. I felt a personal bond to several of the creatures they following over seven years in the desert. My only complaint was them using the term poisonous to refer to venomous snakes.
Such an interesting read! I never thought I would be so engrossed with ecology. The lives of these researchers are incredible. To spend or better yet to dedicate your life to the cause of tracking, studying and living with lions, hyenas, jackals is so insane. I felt a personal bond to several of the creatures they following over seven years in the desert. My only complaint was them using the term poisonous to refer to venomous snakes.
nph4's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5