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Reviews
Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas by Jim Ottaviani
aclopez6's review
3.0
I'm not sure if I was distracted while reading this, but I found the storyloines a bit confusing and could tell you maybe 1 - 2 things that I learned from this book. The art was clear though?
trevoryan's review
5.0
A brilliant, entertaining, and educational look at the relationship between three of the most important primate scientists ever.
sethfossils's review
3.25
An important story to be told about three trail-blazing women in the field of primatology and animal conservation. The way that these three women took animal intelligence and personhood seriously and dedicated their lives to understanding our closest relatives is worthy of praise. I enjoyed the comic book format and the attempt to reach a young audience (teens). But, I found the telling somewhat lacking. Some important questions are brought up but not totally dealt with. The lack of African or Indonesian partners in conservation and research was a major oversite of time. Not addressing the racism of this approach means leaving unquestioned the fact that there are no significant non-white characters in this telling. Also, the most tragic part of these women's story, the murder of Dian Fossey, is implied but never explicitly mentioned. Although it is surely challenging to know how to write about racism and murder for a teen audience, I think it can be done, and failing to do so is a big oversight.
wrentheblurry's review
4.0
I enjoy most First Second graphic novels, and this one is no exception. The artwork is perfect, and the story is engaging. Before reading this, I had never heard of Galdikas, and my knowledge of Goodall and Fossey was basic. So, I learned stuff, and it happened while I was being entertained, even better.
I did find the narrator switching confusing. Sometimes it was first person, sometimes third person, and sometimes I couldn't clearly tell who was speaking or thinking. A few bits were left unexplained, but maybe this was for brevity's sake. Also, while a bibliography is provided at the end, the authors note that their work includes some fiction. Because of this, I wouldn't recommend it for a student's research project, except as maybe a fun introduction and starting point.
The flaws, for me, were minor, and I liked it a lot, as did my 13-year old son (another graphic novel fan). Now then, off to check out [b:Feynman|9844623|Feynman|Jim Ottaviani|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317793632s/9844623.jpg|14735455]!
I did find the narrator switching confusing. Sometimes it was first person, sometimes third person, and sometimes I couldn't clearly tell who was speaking or thinking. A few bits were left unexplained, but maybe this was for brevity's sake. Also, while a bibliography is provided at the end, the authors note that their work includes some fiction. Because of this, I wouldn't recommend it for a student's research project, except as maybe a fun introduction and starting point.
The flaws, for me, were minor, and I liked it a lot, as did my 13-year old son (another graphic novel fan). Now then, off to check out [b:Feynman|9844623|Feynman|Jim Ottaviani|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317793632s/9844623.jpg|14735455]!
motobart's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
This is a quick read, but very informative and enjoyable. Check it out if you have any interest in the great apes or the great women who spent their lives studying them!
lattelibrarian's review
5.0
This book was AMAZING. This biography follows three women (Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birute Galdikas) through their journey to not only becoming interested in primatology, but actually being funded and living their lives in Africa. Each woman had a different method, but each found each other through one man who had the faith and means of finding funding to support them.
Each section follows these women individually, and with attention to detail to each one. For instance--the fonts change depending on who we're following, and who's speaking when all three are together! Not to mention the complete use and understanding of comic conventions and how Ottaviani and Wicks break them! Doing so helped to break up the form and keep me engaged, and it worked wonders.
But perhaps what I enjoyed most was that this was a biography of three women--not just one. In all honesty, the only one I'd heard of of these three was Jane Goodall, so to learn more about her peers and fellow scientists--female fellow scientists--made me so incredibly happy. It's women supporting and understanding each other, and how their stories converge was just incredible.
Overall, this was just so good. The biographies are intriguing and the end involves an author's note as well as his references, and the illustrations had incredible colors and just the right amount of pacing. I'd definitely recommend this, especially to those interested in the outdoors.
Review cross-listed here!
Each section follows these women individually, and with attention to detail to each one. For instance--the fonts change depending on who we're following, and who's speaking when all three are together! Not to mention the complete use and understanding of comic conventions and how Ottaviani and Wicks break them! Doing so helped to break up the form and keep me engaged, and it worked wonders.
But perhaps what I enjoyed most was that this was a biography of three women--not just one. In all honesty, the only one I'd heard of of these three was Jane Goodall, so to learn more about her peers and fellow scientists--female fellow scientists--made me so incredibly happy. It's women supporting and understanding each other, and how their stories converge was just incredible.
Overall, this was just so good. The biographies are intriguing and the end involves an author's note as well as his references, and the illustrations had incredible colors and just the right amount of pacing. I'd definitely recommend this, especially to those interested in the outdoors.
Review cross-listed here!