When Louis Leakey first heard about Jane Goodalls accomplishments were and how unlikely it is that anyone else could have duplicated them. Peterson...
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reviews
Jun 25, 2010
Clif
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We all get lucky breaks but few can do as much as a result of it as has Jane Goodall.
Starting out as a secretary for Louis Leakey, a wonderful scientist with a fondness for inexperienced young women and a burning desire to send them off to study apes, Goodall found herself in the environment of African animals that she had dreamed of as a child.
From her initial solo observations of chimpanzees, she proved her abilities as a researcher, scientist, author and humanitarian. More...
Starting out as a secretary for Louis Leakey, a wonderful scientist with a fondness for inexperienced young women and a burning desire to send them off to study apes, Goodall found herself in the environment of African animals that she had dreamed of as a child.
From her initial solo observations of chimpanzees, she proved her abilities as a researcher, scientist, author and humanitarian. More...
Oct 21, 2008
anne
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This is by far one of the most interesting biographies I've read. It helps that the author has actually met goodall, but as a subject she's just endlessly fascinating, and a role model of independence and fearlessness.
Oct 30, 2009
Seeta
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I picked up this book because I thought it would be fascinating to read. Oftentimes, the famous, our role models and those who influence history become idolized or mythized...given a saint like status. And, its always fascinating to learn about the experiences that moulded a person to change the world or challenge a belief or political system. Unfortunately, this overlong biography didn't teach me anything about Jane Goodall. In fact, while I was fighting insomnia, this was a great book to hel
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Sep 08, 2009
Laurie
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I'm still plugging away at this hefty volume... on chapter 21, page 295, with only 390 pages, plus the Notes and --for crying out loud -- 8 pages of Works Cited!
This biography is awfully thorough, beginning with Jane's grandparents!
It is slightly redundant at times, explaining a situation then taking excerpts from letters Jane wrote to her family or entries from her research journals.
At times it can be frustratingly thorough, the author takes you down paths and it is unclear W More...
This biography is awfully thorough, beginning with Jane's grandparents!
It is slightly redundant at times, explaining a situation then taking excerpts from letters Jane wrote to her family or entries from her research journals.
At times it can be frustratingly thorough, the author takes you down paths and it is unclear W More...
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Oct 08, 2009
Annabel
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Am currently reading this very detailed book, had to return to the library as I keep getting distracted! So far, I think that a list of all co-workerers/people and what they did or do would be very useful! As there are so many people to remember and some of them you start off not knowing why you are reading about them. But the end result is very useful. Jane Goodall is an inspiring woman to all and I respect her greatly.
Mar 03, 2010
Cwelshhans
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This book was a very detailed account of Jane Goodall's life, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. When finished, I felt like I was given real insight into who she was, why she cared so much for animals, and the importance of what she has accomplished in her life. The book was greatly aided by the fact that Goodall has always been a prolific letter-writer, so the book included a lot of Goodall's own thoughts and feelings. She also is a very delightful writer, so the tone of the book was very enjoyabl
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Jul 30, 2011
Erika
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A very thorough book about a brilliant woman. I found it fascinating to learn the details of Jane's early beginnings at Gombe, Louis Leakey, the Goodall family, and the development of the Roots and Shoots clubs. Very well written and readable - despite its' length, I found myself reading 100 or so pages at a time. Definitely recommend.
Dec 12, 2011
Alec
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Jane Goodall is an excellent author, but this book is a refreshing look at her life from a third party that reveals just how modest she is in her own recounts of her life. Plus there is some minorly scandalous insight into her frienship with famed archaelogist and naturalist, Louis Leakey.
Oct 30, 2011
Rita
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Peterson does a good job of painting a complete picture of Jane Goodall, from her childhood during WWII in England, to the audacity of her beginnings in Africa, to her role today as advocate. I found her story inspiring and very much enjoyed viewing the movie Jane's Journey as a supplement.
Jul 10, 2010
Allison
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WONDERFULLY written biography. Completely void of cliches, Peterson chooses his words very carefully and knows when to skip around to provide the most understanding possible of certain events. Jane Goodall continues to amaze me. By the time she was my age... well, I don't want to think about how lazy she makes me feel.
I didn't end up finishing this book, though. Once the attention turned away from the Gombe chimp site, I lost interest (my own fault). It did start to bug me after a wh More...
I didn't end up finishing this book, though. Once the attention turned away from the Gombe chimp site, I lost interest (my own fault). It did start to bug me after a wh More...
Jan 14, 2010
Chelsea
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Awesome book- amazing woman. This took me a while to read but it is definitely inspiring- she is so accomplished and motivated!
Jul 06, 2011
The Easter Bunny put this in my basket. It's one of those books that I'm reading in between my other summer reads.
Aug 06, 2011
Rosanne
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An inspiring book by an inspiring woman who has grace, humility and extraordinary tenacity.
Jan 24, 2012
Mikki
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Fascinating, sad, insightful, ultimately wonderful. She is one of my personal heroes.
Mar 24, 2010
Rachel
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Jane Goodall is one of my very favorite human beings. I've read several of her books, but I'm thoroughly enjoying this exhaustive biography and its insights into Goodall's passions and pursuits, and the road that led to her humanitarian and environmental activism.
Sep 09, 2011
Alex
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I'm greatly impressed with Goodall yet the book was lackluster. It left out so much of her life that I wanted to read about. It's more like a timeline than an interesting biography.
Jan 01, 2010
Jennifer
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Admittedly, I haven't read many biographies, so take this review with a grain of salt. At first, I loved the rich details the author included of everything going on in Goodall's life. But, after awhile, the details because cumbersome, making the book extremely heavy to read. While I love that I learned more of Goodall's life, I sometimes thought to myself, "I really didn't need to know that much." Perhaps I should stick to fiction...
Feb 28, 2010
Brian
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This book is pretty good though it is quite long. Also gets sort of environmentally depressing near the end. She was an amazing person and I am pleased to know about her. I may read some of the books she wrote starting with "In the Shadow of Man"
Jan 27, 2008
Jennifer
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It's a thick book! Very detailed acount of her life, which is indeed interesting. It makes me want to read her own writings. I've put it down for the time being with a bookmark stuck in the center, but will pick it back up one of these days.
Apr 04, 2008
I've given up on this book for now. It is very detailed, and I'm impatient with all the details about her childhood pets, riding lessons, etc. I'll try again later. If you want to know EVERYTHING about Jane Goodall, this is the book for you.
May 29, 2008
Katie
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very well written and well developed biography. The subject matter is extrememly interesting on its own but I was happy to see that the author did a great job of moving the book along and without skipping over anything important.
Jan 08, 2008
Heather
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This is an impressively researched and detailed book that creates a thorough profile of Goodall but also a history of the field of primatology that developed as the backdrop to her career.
Jan 22, 2012
Sekya
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A great view into Jane Goodall's world. exceptionally thourough in the begginning of Jane's life. wonderfully crafted.
Apr 13, 2008
Still on my shelf. It is so big! but I want to read it- I love the byline. "the woman who redefined man"
Nov 23, 2007
Richard
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I've always been fascinated about how Goodall got started and lived her life. This account is pretty good.
Jun 23, 2009
Love_not_war
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ITS AWESOME SO FAR DESPITE THE FACT THAT MANY ARE LAUGHING AT ME FOR READING THIS...ahem...ANNE!
lol
;)
lol
;)
Sep 07, 2008
Mandi
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Very intriguing! I want to live with the monkeys... (I mean other than those I already do live with...)
Dec 16, 2009
Sarah
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I have not finished this one yet since it's a behemoth, but it's really fascinating. And Louis Leakey. Wow.
Dec 17, 2008
Emily
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very detailed. the woman is so amazing and such an example of gentleness, patience and hope.
