Reviews

Cry Of The Kalahari by Delia Owens, Mark Owens

atlantabushnellbooks's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

Cry of the Kalahari is the memoir of two wildlife ecologists, Mark & Delia Owens, who traveled to Botswana, Africa to study the remote wilderness of the Kalahari in the 1970s. 

I don’t usually read memoirs but this book had me gripped from the first page. When I first opened it, I intended to only read a few pages or maybe a chapter for the evening, but then over an hour later I was still reading! 

I was swept away by the passion of these two ecologists, their love of the animals they studied and by their sheer determination. No matter how many obstacles they encountered, they never gave up in their research. Their passion and dedication to their work really leapt from the page. Throughout the book, we follow lions, jackals and the very rare brown hyenas. 

I enjoyed this journey through the Kalahari, and I recommend it to readers who enjoy memoirs and nonfiction. 

Thank you Hachette Australia for sending me this review copy. 

acaciatree's review against another edition

adventurous informative medium-paced

3.0

malsh's review against another edition

adventurous informative inspiring tense medium-paced

4.0

I really enjoyed reading this book about an ecosystem I knew nothing about. It was shocking to me that the Owens' survived all their mistakes and mishaps, but I'm glad they survived to tell the tale and learn the secrets of creatures such as wild dogs, brown hyenas, and the desert lions that live in the Kalahari. 

chelriver's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

georgi's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0

louisedeh's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

jeanetterenee's review against another edition

adventurous informative inspiring tense medium-paced

4.0

jeanetterenee's review against another edition

4.0

Hey, y'all. This is not a review --- yet. I just wanted to get your attention to tell you that I will be without internet access for awhile, beginning Thursday evening, November 12. I don't know how long it will be before I'm back online. When I come back, I will post of review of this book.

booklovingcatmom's review against another edition

5.0

This book is so romantic! I dreamed about selling all my stuff and moving to Africa with my significant other for DAYS after I read this. The Owens have an incredible story and I loved learning about how they started their conservation work and all their observations and wisdom from the Kalahari. One of my favorite books <3

papablues050164's review against another edition

4.0

It takes a certain amount of heartlessness to be a naturalist observing the life of animals without interfering in their struggles. From what I've read, Mark & Delia Owens are not heartless, although sometimes their work can be heartbreaking.

For seven years they persevered in one of the harshest environments on the planet, and for that they have my absolute respect.

Without going into details, for example, lionesses can be bitches. To borrow one of my son's phrases, they give no f---s about their cubs. On the other hand, the Owens' also discovered the communal denning practices of brown hyenas.

Sometimes this book will break your heart. Sometimes you have to put it aside, it can be that heartbreaking. But you'll never forget their story.