book data
216 ratings, 4.09 average rating, 19 reviews
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published
October 6th 2000
by Mariner Books
binding
Paperback, 400 pages
isbn
061808360X
(isbn13: 9780618083602)
description
In 1963, an occupational therapist from Kentucky, in uncertain health and spirits, traveled to central Africa in the quixotic hope of seeing a mountai...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 307)
Read in June, 2008
Humans killing and pushing out animals from their natural habitat. Killing 7-8 gorillas just to take one baby gorilla to an european zoo... where they die from what appears to be lack of a will to live.... and there's only 250 left. What should we do? Cut down their habitat for meat producing grazers, of course. It's pretty apropos that the July 2008 National Geographics cover story is "Who killed the Gorillas?" about the mountain gorillas in Africa.
If we can't carve out a place for ...more
If we can't carve out a place for ...more
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Read in March, 2008
This book is a true classic with a tireless message of conservation. The story of Dian Fossey and her work with the mountain gorillas in the Virunga Volcanic region of Rwanda is nothing short of incredible. She gave her life in an effort to make us aware of the importance of conservation issues all over the world.
My only problem with the book is its slightly confusing chronology. For example, Fossey would write about a particular animal in one chapter as an adult but then in a later chapter,...more
My only problem with the book is its slightly confusing chronology. For example, Fossey would write about a particular animal in one chapter as an adult but then in a later chapter,...more
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Read in August, 2007
The legendary autobiographical account of Dian Fossey and her passionate quest to study and save the few remaining mountain gorillas from extinction. I am glad that I read this book AFTER our own mountain gorilla trek, because I was able to connect with her commentary regarding the jungle, the local culture, and the trekking experience more completely. The book is a bit confusing with regards to timeline, but Fossey's strength of character and heroism clearly showed through. I would recommend th...more
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This is one of the worst books I ever read. Fossey broke pretty much every ethical rule of primatology when she did her study. She treated the gorillas as family or friends and often interacted with them rather than study them. I can't believe they made a movie about this crazy b****. After reading this book, I am convinced that while she was conducting her research she did more harm than good to the Mountanin Gorillas.
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Read in January, 1994
I read this book in High School. It was for one of our reading assignments that we were able to choose our own book. Even though I don't remember all of the details, there are definitely elements of the story that really stuck with me. Her dedication and ambition to completely change her life to create change for something that she believes in is amazing. To this day, I have not seen the movie... I wonder if I should?
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Read in November, 2007
recommends it for:
people interested in animals
This book is very interesting. It is a great story about Dian Fossey's 13 year study of gorillas in Africa. It talks about interactions between her and the gorillas. Also it talks about conservation and why it is important. It is a great book with lots of information and action. I recommend this to everyone, but especially people that enjoy animals.
Read in December, 2007
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I read this in 1984 and I found it very interesting because of my personal interest in animal behavior and environmental sciences. We would know nothing about this wonderful planet (except for prejudices and myths) if it were not for people like Diane.
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Read in April, 1986
A fascinating look at Dian Fossey's work with gorillas, but don't read it while you're eating (like I did)-- there's one spot where she talks about a certain bodily function of gorillas that's rather gaggish.
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You cannot read a book like this without feeling so many emotions--hope, anger, and a kind of desperation. This world is light years away from our own, yet the similarities are huge.
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recommends it for:
only those who really love gorillas
I had to read it for a class (actually only 8 chapters). it was bad. I don't like Dian Fossey. She is quite self-absorbed... except when it comes to gorillas.
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It is tragic what happened to Fossey. She was a good person who bad things happened to. R.I.P
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Read in January, 2001
recommends it for:
Armchair adventurers
Gorilla part of the book was a good follow up to "Year of the Gorilla".
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Read in January, 2006
I enjoyed this book- but I am all about Jane Goodall & chimps!
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science-psychology
awesome book - i still cry whenever i read it
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Saw the movie. Now I need to read her story
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non-fiction (on 13 people's shelves)
currently-reading (on 11 people's shelves)
science (on 7 people's shelves)
nature (on 6 people's shelves)
nonfiction (on 6 people's shelves)
animals (on 5 people's shelves)
memoir (on 4 people's shelves)
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