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133rd out of 311 books
—
289 voters
Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey
Dr. Jane Goodall's revolutionary study of chimpanzees in Tanzania's Gombe preserve forever altered the very, definition of humanity.Now, in a poignant and insightful memoir, Jane Goodall explores her extraordinary life and personal spiritual odyssey, with observations as profound as the knowledge she has brought back from the forest.
Paperback, 304 pages
Published
October 1st 2000
by Grand Central Publishing
(first published 1998)
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Every so often, if you are lucky, you pick up a book that speaks to you. A book that seems to know what you are struggling with at that very moment, and that book somehow soothes your soul. That was this book for me.
As a kid, I thought Goodall was awesome. Living in nature with chimpanzees! Hoots!
A few years ago, my love for her was solidified while reading The Far Side. You see, Gary Larson had a cartoon of some chimps, the female is plucking a hair off the male and says, "Another blond hair! I...more
As a kid, I thought Goodall was awesome. Living in nature with chimpanzees! Hoots!
A few years ago, my love for her was solidified while reading The Far Side. You see, Gary Larson had a cartoon of some chimps, the female is plucking a hair off the male and says, "Another blond hair! I...more
A very serious book covering very serious subject matter. I found this almost exhausting to read, especially the last third. I even took a highlighter out at one point so I wouldn't have to search some of the text for quotes.
I believe most people my age are familiar with the work of Jane Goodall. In this memoir she gives some background into her childhood and describes her years observing chimpanzee behavior. She draws very interesting parallels to humanity and our struggle with the aggression...more
I believe most people my age are familiar with the work of Jane Goodall. In this memoir she gives some background into her childhood and describes her years observing chimpanzee behavior. She draws very interesting parallels to humanity and our struggle with the aggression...more
This is an inspiring and thought-provoking memoir delivered from the unique perspective of the famous anthropologist who once was a little girl trying to understand the events of WWII and the subsequent horrors of the holocaust. From that time up to and including the horrendous tragedy of the 9/11 attack and the later invasion of Iraq, Ms. Goodall stays true to her faith in a better future for mankind that must surely be just around the corner, for she has seen the very origins of human behavior...more
Jan 15, 2012
Lisa (Harmonybites)
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Animal Lovers
Recommended to Lisa (Harmonybites) by:
The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Ultimate Reading List
The book is by the famous anthropologist Jane Goodall, whose studies of chimpanzees revolutionized how we think of our closest relative among living species and thus how we define being human. Her title signals this book is about a lot more than that groundbreaking work. This was found in the Nature section of my neighborhood bookstore, but was recommended to me as "inspirational non-fiction" on the Ultimate Reading List. Her credited co-author Philip Berman is a theologian and the project was f...more
Before reading this book I only knew of Jane Goodall as “that woman who studies apes”. This autobiography is an open window into the soul of a woman who I now consider to be a very special gift to humanity… a gift to all living things on this earth. She takes us through her formative years and helps us to understand the origins of her compassion for animals. Goodall also writes with great candor about her marriages, her spiritual ups and downs, her victories and her defeats along with the great...more
I love Jane Goodall, but this wasn't quite as powerful as I expected it to be. It was interesting reading about spiritual views from a scientist, and I loved her detailed descriptions of her time in Gombe with the chimpanzees. Goodall really has experienced a lot of sadness and horror in her life and it was inspiring to see how she always managed to turn back to faith. But a lot of the book was just too preachy for me and (do I dare say this? Yes, I dare) too Christian. I guess when I picked up...more
Jane Goodall is one of my all-time heroines...so enlightened, devoted, with her feet on the ground and her head in the stars....
I recommend anything by Jane.
I recommend anything by Jane.
Wow.
Jane Goodall was one of my heroes before reading this book, but now, there just aren't words.
It was very interesting to see a scientists point of view on religion because a lot of scientists tend to be atheist. Jane Goodall's story about her life, and how it came to be was simply amazing (and lucky!). She reminds me of my myself.
I'm an animal rights activist, and with all of the cruelty and horror going on in our world, I sometimes question my faith in God. With her being one of my idol's,...more
Jane Goodall was one of my heroes before reading this book, but now, there just aren't words.
It was very interesting to see a scientists point of view on religion because a lot of scientists tend to be atheist. Jane Goodall's story about her life, and how it came to be was simply amazing (and lucky!). She reminds me of my myself.
I'm an animal rights activist, and with all of the cruelty and horror going on in our world, I sometimes question my faith in God. With her being one of my idol's,...more
I can hardly describe all the emotions I felt through reading these memoirs. While I found her religious expressions in the book slightly boring, as I don't share her fondness for Jesus or the God of Abraham,her stories of her years studying Chimps were breathtaking. I picked up Reason for Hope because I greatly admire Dr. Goodall for her efforts for understanding and compassion towards humans and animals alike, and I'm so glad I did. I'm vegan, fascinated by primate evolution, and some parts of...more
This is the kind of book you have for a couple years, having bought it at a used book store for a couple bucks, but it sits around, until one day you spy it on your shelf and decide to toss it in your bag "just in case." Then when you open it to start reading, the next thing you know, it's been an hour and you're already on page 54!
Amazon reviewers have called Jane Goodall not a "great writer" but I feel like the simple style contributes to the flow of the writing - you don't realize how fast yo...more
Amazon reviewers have called Jane Goodall not a "great writer" but I feel like the simple style contributes to the flow of the writing - you don't realize how fast yo...more
excellent. i would wish that all those whom i deeply love would read this book. of course, it doesn't work that way. but my deep wish will continue. this book says it all -- it is a personal account of a woman of substance; it is an environmental and animal rights book; it is a spiritual book; it is educational (i learned about cultural or pseudospeciation); and finally, it is a travelogue. i only read books that i strongly suspect i will enjoy or learn quality info from. Ms. Goodall's Reason fo...more
I found the book in the spirituality section of the library, so I got it. I did not finish it.
The book was mostly a pure biography of Jane - her childhood, her early 20's, and I stopped at the time she went to Africa to study chimpanzees.
From what I read so far, it was more of a detailed timeline of her life, rather than a deeper analysis or delving into the meaning of life. I would think for Jane Goodall, that she would have wealth of knowledge to draw from to contemplate the meaning of life. H...more
The book was mostly a pure biography of Jane - her childhood, her early 20's, and I stopped at the time she went to Africa to study chimpanzees.
From what I read so far, it was more of a detailed timeline of her life, rather than a deeper analysis or delving into the meaning of life. I would think for Jane Goodall, that she would have wealth of knowledge to draw from to contemplate the meaning of life. H...more
Reason for Hope is the single most inspiring book I have ever had the privilege of reading. Five out of Five stars is an understatement. Jane Goodall is kind, compassionate and honest as she writes about her life experiences, the human race, our duties as part of the human race. She speaks candidly about how we might go on hoping when so much of what we have created here on earth is harming the things we need most to take care of: mother nature, the wildlife, and each other. Her peaceful outlook...more
Autobiography of Jane Goodall..great read so far! Very interesting, especially if you are a fan of Jane Goodall.
This is an autobiography of Jane Goodall and her remarkable dedication as well as her ability to overcome the barriers of the scientific community during her quest in the early years to learn and contribute to the understanding of chimpanzees in the wild. She describes how her childhood interests and her almost accidental involvement with the Leakeys led her to research work in Gombe. As she is still active in what I describe as the practical ethics of conservation, this is a book that is not on...more
I'm one of those readers who likes to have several books going at one time. I like a morning book that I can read sitting outside with my coffee, and afternoon quick read and an evening "thinking" book. Jane Goodall was a wonderful morning companion!
Goodall does a great job of summarizing all of our screw ups and global messes that "western" greed has gotten us into. In spite of all that she still finds "reason for hope." The book should be required reading for ALL going out into the world who w...more
Goodall does a great job of summarizing all of our screw ups and global messes that "western" greed has gotten us into. In spite of all that she still finds "reason for hope." The book should be required reading for ALL going out into the world who w...more
Extraordinary!
Well, considering that I think of Jane Goodall as practically a mentor or role model for myself, I was thrilled when my mother gave me this a couple of years ago. I just had to find it again, as I had accidentally packed it away.
So I recently found it and deemed it time to dive in. This was the abridged version, so it went fairly quick.
I love that Goodall narrated this herself. I could listen to her speak all day long! This book wasn't really that much about the chimps of Gombe, but about (as th...more
So I recently found it and deemed it time to dive in. This was the abridged version, so it went fairly quick.
I love that Goodall narrated this herself. I could listen to her speak all day long! This book wasn't really that much about the chimps of Gombe, but about (as th...more
I wouldn't recommend this book to younger children because it has a few scary parts about chimpanzees fighting that would be okay for older kids or adults. I would recommend Reason for Hope to people who love animals and like to observe them, and to people who like to read interesting non-fiction.
Jane Goodall is a writer and a scientist who wrote Reason for Hope and is a very good observer. At the age of 65, she wrote this book because she wanted to tell about her life in order to share its wisd...more
Jane Goodall is a writer and a scientist who wrote Reason for Hope and is a very good observer. At the age of 65, she wrote this book because she wanted to tell about her life in order to share its wisd...more
Jane Goodall enchanted me when I first heard her audio tape. She is unofficially the "chimpanzee-woman" who spent many years living with and studying with the wild chimpanzees. From a wide eyed student, she has become a crusader for a ... well, a reason for hope.
For me there was nothing extraordinairly new ... the overindulgence of meat/sugar consumption, corporations/governments controlling our food supply, and the imbalances of the have/have nots. Still there is an underlying wisdom of a woman...more
For me there was nothing extraordinairly new ... the overindulgence of meat/sugar consumption, corporations/governments controlling our food supply, and the imbalances of the have/have nots. Still there is an underlying wisdom of a woman...more
Dec 22, 2007
Jesse Summer-lavigne
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
People who don't believe they'll die tommorow
This is a nice read for people who are sick of everyone telling you that you are going to die from something by tommorow. I picked up the new version that had the extra post-911 chapter that was added in 2003, which was quite nice. Don't take the 3 stars too literally. Its definetely worth reading and pretty quick, but for me, it wasn't a lot of new information. It just reflected a position I rarely see environmentalists take. Its more 3.5.
The book was written in 1999, but I think it is more for...more
The book was written in 1999, but I think it is more for...more
My absolute favorite book of all time. Science, spirituality, poetry, humanity, animal behavior, motherhood, our past and our future all wrapped into one beautiful story. Jane Goodall went to the jungle at a time when it was unheard of for a woman to do so, she studied science with such a passion although she had no degree whatsoever. She looked into the depths of the jungle while contemplating the infinite stars in heaven. She looks into the darkness of our past and finds light for our future.
I wish I knew this lady. We are kinded spirits. She traveled to Africa to be with the chimpanzees for the same reason I went to the county animal shelter to be with dogs. We found our center and sense of peace with animals. She also had a similiar experience when she watched her second husband die of cancer that I went through with my dad last year.
Her spirit is definitely not a part of this world and I highly recommend this book for anyone who feels the need to get spiritually connected again.
Her spirit is definitely not a part of this world and I highly recommend this book for anyone who feels the need to get spiritually connected again.
Jane Goodall has always been one of my heroes. She has spent her life among the apes and has fought for conservation of their habitat and their rights. She is amazingly wise woman. This book is more about her moral philosphy that has been influenced by her work with nature and the apes. I found the chapter on war the most eye opening. She helps readers see that our moral evolution is as much a part of our genetic make-up as it is the choices that we make as a society. I loved this book!
I just found this note in the bottom of a drawer I am in the process of cleaning. I read this book as preparation to hearing Goodall's inspiring talk at Chautauqua. I found the story of her life to be very interesting. She grew up in a household without men. Her mother was a very interesting person. end of note. I know that I recommended the book to many friends and the book club I was in the process of starting. Alas the book club did not review it.......yet!
Mar 19, 2012
Katie
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction-biography-memoir,
audiobook
I listened to this on audio. The first four parts were mostly autobiographical. I've always admired Jane Goodall so I enjoyed learning more about her and her work.
Then came the last part. I enjoyed that too in an I-cried-my-eyes-out kind of way. Her passion is so clear and she really explains her sense of urgency in a way that made me want to help. I've always felt strongly about conversation. This brought it to a whole new level. Through it all, everything she's seen, everything she's fought t...more
Then came the last part. I enjoyed that too in an I-cried-my-eyes-out kind of way. Her passion is so clear and she really explains her sense of urgency in a way that made me want to help. I've always felt strongly about conversation. This brought it to a whole new level. Through it all, everything she's seen, everything she's fought t...more
Overall, I love Jane Goodall's narration depicting the time of her studies in Gombe. She paints a vivid and lively picture of the forest, drawing me peacefully into her world. I admire Jane Goodall's passion for chimpanzees as well as her courage to face all the ugly truths around us.
I'm always fascinated by the thoughts and and ways-of-living of great minds. This book has given me insight into always holding on to Hope no matter how terrible the circumstances seem: )
I'm always fascinated by the thoughts and and ways-of-living of great minds. This book has given me insight into always holding on to Hope no matter how terrible the circumstances seem: )
A book that made me think a lot about human nature and our responsibility to our planet, to animals, and to other people. Not a lot of new ideas, but good calls to action, though I feel that some of Jane's reasoning could be flawed. She is a remarkable woman, so it's worth reading just to get into her head. Her idea that we have reached a developmental point where now we must evolve morally and spiritually in order to survive as a species is very intriguing.
Dec 06, 2010
Peregrine 12
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Goodall fans; people interested in animal conservation
Shelves:
travel-outdoors
A brief autobiography. Writing quality was poor and that made it somewhat distracting, but this was an autobiography, after all. It was a good way for me to learn a little about this person I'd heard so much about.
Goodall writes simply but movingly about the need for human compassion - toward one another and toward animals and the Earth. Condones vegetarianism. Her descriptions of her two truly spiritual experiences seem credible; her convictions are moving.
Goodall writes simply but movingly about the need for human compassion - toward one another and toward animals and the Earth. Condones vegetarianism. Her descriptions of her two truly spiritual experiences seem credible; her convictions are moving.
I love Jane Goddall. I love her pointy nose and and her shy awkwardness and the fact that she called her only son Grub. This book is a little about her work and a lot about how she has moved through and past great losses--her beloved husband Derek, her sanctuary at Gombe and, to the animal trade, the beautiful chimpanzees that have been her life's work--into a life that is rich with meaning and value. Louis Leakey knew what he was doing when he sent her to Kigoma.
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Dame Jane Morris Goodall, DBE (born Valerie Jane Morris-Goodall), is a British primatologist, ethologist, anthropologist, and UN Messenger of Peace. Considered to be the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees, Goodall is best known for her 45-year study of social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania. She is the founder of the Jane Goodall Institute an...more
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“....I understood why those who had lived through war or economic disasters, and who had built for themselves a good life and a high standard of living, were rightly proud to be able to provide for their children those things which they themselves had not had. And why their children, inevitably, took those things for granted. It meant that new values and new expectations had crept into our societies along with new standards of living. Hence the materialistic and often greedy and selfish lifestyle of so many young people in the Western world, especially in the United States.”
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10 people liked it
“And always I have this feeling--which may not be true at all--that I am being used as a messenger.”
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10 people liked it
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