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eo_sociologist's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a set of stories of animals that face extinction and the efforts of people (mostly European or European descent) to bring the species back from the brink of extinction. There are many amazing feats described, like teaching two different bird species (bald ibis, whooping cranes) to follow ultralight aircraft as a way to teach them migration routes. And other amazing stories like a guy who did mating dances with a whooping crane that imprinted on humans, and the crane then would allow staff to artificially inseminate her. Another story shows how another guy encouraged a male peregrine falcon—as the guy made mating movements and sounds—which allowed staff to use the “products” of that mating to inseminate other peregrine falcons. Through the many stories of trying to release captive-bred endangered animals, you get a good overview of the challenges that endangered species face.
The stories do usually centre European/European descent conservationists and a European perspective. Drawing from that and from the fact that Thayne Maynard (who tells several stories in the book) and Jane Goodall haven’t had a deep critical education, some of the stories have racist or colonialist aspects (like one story of a wild horse expert in Mongolia, where only his first [and quite non-European] name is given [Munkhtsog], while the names for all white conservationists are given in full). But Goodall also highlights the Roots and Shoots organization (that she started), one of the goals of which is to uplift the material conditions of people living near endangered species. One major theme in the book is that, as they frame it, the support of the local community is needed for any conservation goal to be sustainable in the long term. So the conservationists try to drum up that support by providing real economic benefits of the project for local people. From this book one can’t really see what local people think about the projects. But for anyone thinking about doing social science research, a great project would be to get the perspective of local people about particular conservation projects described in this book. That is an area where work is needed in social science research. Some have already been doing this work for particular species (I know of one doing this with grizzly bears in Alberta, for instance—which aren’t endangered globally but are locally endangered in Alberta), but this book provides a great overview of the different projects in the world where work like that could be expanded. Goodall does mention how the efforts to save a particular species of tiger beetle led to many (in the United States) questioning the value of using $500,000+ on that beetle when the money could have (in their eyes) been used for social programs, but a much deeper and systematic analysis about such issues would be important contributions to our knowledge about the value of conservation for people who aren’t paid conservationists.
The stories do usually centre European/European descent conservationists and a European perspective. Drawing from that and from the fact that Thayne Maynard (who tells several stories in the book) and Jane Goodall haven’t had a deep critical education, some of the stories have racist or colonialist aspects (like one story of a wild horse expert in Mongolia, where only his first [and quite non-European] name is given [Munkhtsog], while the names for all white conservationists are given in full). But Goodall also highlights the Roots and Shoots organization (that she started), one of the goals of which is to uplift the material conditions of people living near endangered species. One major theme in the book is that, as they frame it, the support of the local community is needed for any conservation goal to be sustainable in the long term. So the conservationists try to drum up that support by providing real economic benefits of the project for local people. From this book one can’t really see what local people think about the projects. But for anyone thinking about doing social science research, a great project would be to get the perspective of local people about particular conservation projects described in this book. That is an area where work is needed in social science research. Some have already been doing this work for particular species (I know of one doing this with grizzly bears in Alberta, for instance—which aren’t endangered globally but are locally endangered in Alberta), but this book provides a great overview of the different projects in the world where work like that could be expanded. Goodall does mention how the efforts to save a particular species of tiger beetle led to many (in the United States) questioning the value of using $500,000+ on that beetle when the money could have (in their eyes) been used for social programs, but a much deeper and systematic analysis about such issues would be important contributions to our knowledge about the value of conservation for people who aren’t paid conservationists.
jjp723's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent. Jane even inspired me to pick up stranded worms from the pavement and put them back in the grass!
patty_s1000's review against another edition
3.0
Sadly disappointing read. In the introduction the author said she had so much material, so many stories, that she had to cut and cut and cut to fit things into one book. Sadly, I think she hit exactly the wrong balance. Far too many stories with far too little detail.
The concept reminded me of Douglas Adam's "Last Chance to See" - a discussion of some endangered species and what threatens them - in an attempt to make the reader care about them. This book was focusing on cases where animals have been saved from extinction and are not in danger anymore, even if they aren't living in their original habitats or even in the wild. It was a message of hope.
But the stories were told far too cursorily to get the emotional buy in that is necessary. And, harsh though it sounds, by the 3rd kind of Ibis that was saved, the stories start to all seem too similar and blur together.
I love the idea of the book and enjoyed some of the stories, but wanted to know much more about the journey required in each case, more about the obstacles, more about the animals' natural behaviour, etc., etc.
The concept reminded me of Douglas Adam's "Last Chance to See" - a discussion of some endangered species and what threatens them - in an attempt to make the reader care about them. This book was focusing on cases where animals have been saved from extinction and are not in danger anymore, even if they aren't living in their original habitats or even in the wild. It was a message of hope.
But the stories were told far too cursorily to get the emotional buy in that is necessary. And, harsh though it sounds, by the 3rd kind of Ibis that was saved, the stories start to all seem too similar and blur together.
I love the idea of the book and enjoyed some of the stories, but wanted to know much more about the journey required in each case, more about the obstacles, more about the animals' natural behaviour, etc., etc.
mnkgrl's review against another edition
4.0
This is a good book to read if you are interested in animals or conservation. It is really a collection of small essays about different species that are labeled conservation successes, so it is not great to read straight through. The purpose of the book is to counteract the hopelessness a lot of people feel when discussing conservation. The idea is that this hopelessness stops people from acting, so Goodall decided to present some success stories, in hopes that people will see a difference can still be made for a lot of species that appear to be in a dire situation. I can see the merit in this approach, but at times I was worried the book went too far in the positive direction, and lost some of the sense of urgency that we need to have when thinking about conservation. Also, there was a lot about zoos and captive breeding programs, and I, personally, am not convinced that these contribute to conservation to the extent we hope they do. Still, I love Jane Goodall and this was a very interesting book overall.
kittycat416's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
stang_gt3's review against another edition
5.0
I love a feel good story, and any time we can stop the extinction of a species it's a wonderful thing. I did enjoy reading about all of the success stories we've seen in the past 50+ years as we've gotten better as a society with our conscientiousness. I particularly enjoyed reading about the Black Footed Ferrets and the Iberian Lynx, because well I like those particular animals. They're cute. But it's just as wonderful to hear about certain bugs and beetles who all have an important part to play in our ecology.
This was a lovely read and it does make me want to check out the website to see any further developments.
This was a lovely read and it does make me want to check out the website to see any further developments.
jewlzngozi's review against another edition
4.0
It's so wonderful to hear of people who are working so diligently to save the species and habitats that are at risk in our world. Just like the title states, this books is filled with stories to inspire hope for our world as well as a desire to join the cause to sustain the animals and ecosystems that we have before it is too late to save them.
I learned about so many cute and fascinating animals that I didn't even know existed and, without the help of the people mentioned in this book, may not have existed to this day. I listened to the audio book which was narrated by Jane Goodall herself. I really enjoyed this book and I recommend it to anyone and everyone. Like mentioned in the book, education is a key component in the fight to save our natural world. The more people know about the plants and animals that need saving, the more they will understand and sympathize with the need to save them.
I learned about so many cute and fascinating animals that I didn't even know existed and, without the help of the people mentioned in this book, may not have existed to this day. I listened to the audio book which was narrated by Jane Goodall herself. I really enjoyed this book and I recommend it to anyone and everyone. Like mentioned in the book, education is a key component in the fight to save our natural world. The more people know about the plants and animals that need saving, the more they will understand and sympathize with the need to save them.
hmicheles's review against another edition
3.0
This is definitely a book to read in small amounts. After a while the chapters blended together a bit for me.
thelauraxe's review against another edition
3.0
I could listen to a whole book on the California condor, but alas, this book includes a trillion stories about a trillion creatures, and that is where it falls short for me.