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wyneelou's review against another edition
5.0
i've never not liked a book about research in the African savannah...
bobbo49's review against another edition
5.0
I have now read all three of the Owens' memoirs of their time in Africa, and although I read this - their first adventure - last, I liked it the best. Each of the couple wrote distinct chapters of their experiences in the Kalahari, from the early days when they had no funding (other than their own meager savings) and were severely limited in their exploration and tracking, to the later years when they received grants and support and expanded their geographic and species study. Their intimate (indeed, face to face) daily interactions with hyenas, lions, various birds and reptiles, jackals and other animals gave them a perspective rarely experienced by science, let alone by a young couple working on their PhDs. Unfortunately, as other readers have noted, Mark Owens' gradually increasing anger over the years at the treatment of their beloved animals, and especially at the poachers and failure of the government of Botswana to provide sufficient protections, later resulted in a controversial conflict that led to the expulsion of the couple from Botswana and their apparently permanent departure from Africa. See https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/04/05/the-hunted
seaphish's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
This book was recommended by my Zoology professor in 2006. I read it and fell in love with the book. It is a beautifully told story about a couple who are passionate about the study of animals. It follows them as they graduate and set off on an adventure in the Kalahari. Some of their experiences will have you on the edge of your seat while the descriptions of the environment and behavior of the animals transport you and place you right beside the Owens' staring into the eyes of the pride!
I have passed this book around amongst my family and my in-laws. Everyone loved it. In the shuffle it was lost so I recently purchased a new copy to read to my 8 year old son. I cannot recommend this book enough!
I have passed this book around amongst my family and my in-laws. Everyone loved it. In the shuffle it was lost so I recently purchased a new copy to read to my 8 year old son. I cannot recommend this book enough!
kelrich123's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
4.25
kenzmacaulay's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.75
Beautiful, so happy and so sad. Incredibly well written
bookhero6's review against another edition
4.0
This memoir of Delia and Mark Owens' time studying the wildlife of the Kalahari in Botswana during the 1970's is really quite fascinating. It's easy to get swept away in the breathtaking scenery of "untamed" life, especially when you've drowned in "civilization" your entire life, and forget how utterly depressing this book is, and how horrible people are, especially given how determined people in general are, forty years later, to deny science and destroy the planet.
Luckily the Owens's don't flinch on relating their struggles with people who at every turn want to destroy what they have worked so hard to study and raise awareness on, which creates such a feeling of futility.
I'm not saying don't read this book, I'm just saying, don't expect it to restore your faith in humanity.
Read it for the wonderful work the Owens's did and the relationships they built with the lion prides and hyena clans around them.
Luckily the Owens's don't flinch on relating their struggles with people who at every turn want to destroy what they have worked so hard to study and raise awareness on, which creates such a feeling of futility.
I'm not saying don't read this book, I'm just saying, don't expect it to restore your faith in humanity.
Read it for the wonderful work the Owens's did and the relationships they built with the lion prides and hyena clans around them.
susanbevans's review against another edition
3.0
Lions, brown hyenas, and other animals are studied and reported on by the authors in this book. They love these animals and it shows through their writing. Their stories are entertaining but I certainly can't agree with their methods. I think that they were very fortunate not to have been killed in the process.