This is the story of the Owens' travel and life in the Kalahari Desert. Here they met and studied unique animals and were confronted with danger fr...
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Jan 24, 2009
Andrew
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This was an amazing book. The true story of Mark and Delia Owens, married zoology students, who start their post grad work by selling everything they have and moving to Africa, hoping to find an undisturbed area to set up a research project.
Taking place in the early 1970's there were even then few undisturbed areas, with almost none now...but they found one, in Botswana in the Kalahari. And without any funding, grants or otherwise, they started studying the animals around them. Jacka More...
Taking place in the early 1970's there were even then few undisturbed areas, with almost none now...but they found one, in Botswana in the Kalahari. And without any funding, grants or otherwise, they started studying the animals around them. Jacka More...
Mar 13, 2011
Jessa
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This genuinely isn't what you'd expect: a dull book about scientific research. I actually really enjoyed it. Though slightly boring at times, it's well-written and actually doesn't include a lot of scientific information. I love how the researchers developed a connection with the animals they were studying, in an almost Jane Goodall-esque way. The Owens actually had quite a few witty stories about the animals to share, in addition to the overall plot of the trials and tribulations associated wit
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Oct 06, 2011
Jessica
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While the writing was good, tells the story of the Owenses first seven years in Africa, and conveys the passion the couple feels toward preserving wildlife there, I could not fully appreciate this book. Last year this article was published in the New Yorker: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/... and it is a really damning portrait of the Owenses presence in Africa. Granted, the Kalahari book tells of their time in Botswana (1974-1981), and the article focuses on their time in Zambia (ca. 1
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Mar 10, 2011
Sue
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In January 1974, Mark & Delia Owens sold most of their possessions, bought airline tickets to Africa and then drove into Botswana. They spent the next 7 years living in the Kalahari Desert studying the wildlife - brown hyenas, lions, and wildebeast. The early years were before the poachers and mining development so they were able to truly get close to the animals. Each chapter is written from the perspective of one of them, which is good, as you don't get confused about the voice of the
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Aug 23, 2008
Ross
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This book has been on my shelves since 1985, when I was around nine years old. I didn't read it at the time because nature -- or at least a book about it -- was too boring. But for some reason I held onto it through all the moves, from Alaska to Texas to Minnesota to Illinois and back to Minnesota. And now that I've read it, I can report five stars: great writing by a pair of married naturalists who research predator social behavior during seven challenging years in Kalahari desert.
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May 30, 2011
Alfredo
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Cry of the Kalahari is the best book I've ever read about animals... and man. The authors first book, Mark and Delia Owens went to Africa to study something other than what they found; a beautifully true story set in a remarkable environment. Having impacted my own thinking, the book remains to me a reminder of what is truly important.
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Dec 21, 2009
Kristin
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I cannot recommend this emphatically enough- absolutely wonderful, fascinating story about a young married couple, that give up everything to move to sub-Saharan Africa and study wildlife. Their study was fascinating, but so is the narrative of their marriage, and the remoteness of their lives in the desert. Amazing people.
Feb 07, 2009
Nini
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The work of Mark and Delia Owens is groundbreaking and insightful...though their work in Africa has brought about some changes, it is disappointing to realize how slow and dense we humans can be. Heartbreaking stories from true conservationists.
To support their foundation go to Ownens-foundation.org
To support their foundation go to Ownens-foundation.org
Oct 13, 2010
Reid
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Incredible thing is that they did it! -- I saw them on Johnny Carson right after they came back from the Kalahari. I was new in Denver (Fall 1984) and had just plugged up my T-V in my new apartment. I went right out and read the book, then lent it to my boss. She also loved it.
Sep 12, 2011
Erica
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I received this book for a Christmas gift from my dad a few years ago, and fell in love with the book immediately!! The entire story is fascinating! There's even some photos in the book of the author's, as they document their time in Africa. All around wonderful book!!
Nov 01, 2011
Juliann
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Read this book years ago and still count it one of my favorites. This book made me wish I'd majored in biology and chosen field research. I learned so much about the Kalahari, the animals and the Owens. Everyone should read this book!
Apr 15, 2009
Mary
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I read this book at least twice, and it was a book that definately effected my life. I even looked at water differently after reading this book. Excellent read. You cannot help but feel like you are right there with them.
Mar 20, 2008
Sylvia
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Non fiction account of Author Mark Owens and his wife Delia packing up and just going to Botswana to live amongst and study wild hyenas. The book reads like a diary of their daily efforts to secure enough water, to cook something to eat, to erect a liveable tent/shelter, to establish space from the wild hyenas, to study them, to have African lions come to their table in the morning while they were having coffee-the sort of life that makes one jealous if one played it safe and stayed in society.
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Sep 08, 2009
Jennifer
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True story about a couple in the '70s who venture into the Botswanian desert. Interesting adventure story that was more interesting because I had just returned from safari. Not sure if this is everyone's cup of tea.
Jul 11, 2009
Helen
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I felt like I was right there with Mark and Delia, learning about and loving all the animals, havent checked into it yet, but I hope that all of their research amounted to some changes there in that African Desert.
Jun 09, 2011
Lynne
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Superb! Set back in the 70s while working on their PhDs, Mark and Delia go to the Kalahari to observe the wildlife and get to know it on an intimate basis. One of the most fascinating tales I've ever read.
Apr 26, 2009
Paula
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One of my favorite books of all time. After reading it I actually contemplated--very seriously--spending a year in Africa volunteering to help zoologists. I came pretty close to actually doing it . . .
Apr 12, 2009
Fahd
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A journey into the heart of Africa. A first hand account of lost beauty, mysterious people, and dangerous liaisons with nature. You will laugh, weep, cringe with fear, and fall in love with Africa.
Sep 17, 2009
Tom
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Delightful, not just as a nature book but as adventure. I often mistrust books that are big sellers and/or receive many flowery blurbs, but this one is deserving. Highly recommended to anyone interested in Africa.
Apr 06, 2010
Holly
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True story of two zoologists from the U of Florida who live in the Kalahari desert for 7 years to study lions and hyenas. Loved it.
Dec 07, 2009
Vicki
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Mark and Delia Owens are lovers of Africa and specifically of Botswana. This was a fascinating and well written account of their work.
May 08, 2009
My Dad insisted Joel and I read this book. Lots of fun Africa backcountry stories, told from a 1970s American perspective.
Feb 17, 2009
Joanna
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This book is really quite good. Especially if you dream of someday following lions in the desert, or working at a zoo.
Jan 04, 2011
Greg
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If you ever plan to move away from home, you might want to read this. You life will never be this extreme.
Apr 10, 2010
Sarah
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AMAZING!!!!! I never thought nonfiction could be so cool!!! Its absolutely thrilling!!!!!
Jul 26, 2009
Jessie (saxgrl1)
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Loved this book. The story of love, research and Africa. I read it after our first trip to Botswana, and I relived it all over again.
Nov 30, 2008
Carrie
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The descriptions of the untouched wildlife in the Kalahari desert are astounding. The authors, however, are dumbasses. What sort of crazy people move to the Kalahari desert, hundreds of miles from the nearest human settlement, without any equipment or experience to speak of? It is truly miraculous that they didn't die out there -- especially after reading about some of the experiences they had along the way. Nonetheless it's a good read and gave me new appreciation for both the wildlife of Afric
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Feb 24, 2008
Connie
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This is probably the fourth or fifth time I've read this book over the past couple of decades. It was first published in 1984. Amazing and fascinating personal experiences of a young married couple setting out to Africa (unsponsored and alone)to study wild animals. I always dreamed of doing this sort of thing, and this is as close as I will get to living it. I feel like I know them. What a testimony to courage, self-reliance, ingenuity,and commitment. I'm looking forward to reading their l
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