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105th out of 129 books
—
147 voters
Pink Boots and a Machete: My Journey From NFL Cheerleader to National Geographic Explorer
by
Mireya Mayor (Goodreads Author)
A quick examination of her roots, and one may never have guessed that Mireya Mayor would become the woman she is today. Yet, against all odds, this self-professed former "girly girl" daughter of overprotective Cuban immigrants blossomed from NFL cheerleader to Fulbright Scholar to field scientist and ultimately, quintessential adventurer. Now, with more than a decade's wor...more
Hardcover, 304 pages
Published
March 1st 2011
by National Geographic
(first published March 15th 2010)
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Oh, god, I loved this.
It's far from a perfect book, mostly because the editing could have been more judicious. Too many references to cheerleading and pink boots (we get it), and sometimes part of an anecdote or a simile or a joke is repeated; I got the feeling that the book was written in parts, and the parts got shuffled around several times, so that no one noticed quite how often some words/phrases got used or that she'd just said the same thing a chapter before. A few too many cliched turns...more
It's far from a perfect book, mostly because the editing could have been more judicious. Too many references to cheerleading and pink boots (we get it), and sometimes part of an anecdote or a simile or a joke is repeated; I got the feeling that the book was written in parts, and the parts got shuffled around several times, so that no one noticed quite how often some words/phrases got used or that she'd just said the same thing a chapter before. A few too many cliched turns...more
Hope you love reading it as much as I loved pouring through my expedition journals to write it.
14 likes · like · see review
I must confess that I had never heard of Mireya Mayor before seeing this book, and so I started reading knowing nothing more than what the title stated. I can now say that Mayor is indeed a very interesting explorer who has faced everything from a plane crash, parasites, charging animals, and sexist jerks who think she's too pretty to be a scientist. Her adventures in some of the planet's most dangerous places are unbelievable, and the work she has done for endangered species is very inspiring....more
When I got the chance to read this book, I knew it was going to be great. I love to read books about wildlife and people rescuing the amazing creatures on Earth. This book is all that and more, it is filled with hearting-warming tales, endless adventures, and one truely amazing story. For me it was very inspiring and one day I hope I receive the honor of meeting Mireya Mayor, the author. I also hope to become an amazing explorer just like her, and write a book just as interesting, and natural as...more
Mireya Mayor (pronounces MER-AY-UH) surprised everyone when she declared she wanted to become a primatologist and explorer. As a NFL cheerleader for the Miami Dolphins, not many people believed she could do it. Not only was she girly and everyone knows girly girls cannot tolerate a spec of dirt on them *sarcasm*, but a cheerleader also! Even a person living under a rock knows that cheerleaders have mush for brains *more sarcasm* But boy, did she prove them wrong.
Pink Boots and a Machete chronicl...more
Pink Boots and a Machete chronicl...more
I saw this at the Barnes & Noble while browsing, and while its not my usual style, it grabbed my attention. After skipping a boring intro and what felt like 18 pages of thank yous, I finally got to the first chapter where my interest was sparked by the idea of needing a little black dress in the congo. I actually really dislike monkeys, they creep me out, but her passion for the wild and all its creatures sucked me in. It reminded me of the spark I had when I was young, the one that said to...more
Pink Boots and a Machete is an empowering autobiography detailing how one humble, tree-climbing, bug-collecting tomboy evolved into one of the most recognizable primatologists and television adventurers on the planet. Mireya Mayor holds nothing back - from growing up in a family displaced by political oppression, to finding fame on the sidelines of professional football fields, to her triumphs and challenges in some of the most remote places on earth. You'll be amazed at Mayor's fertile sense of...more
Unfamiliar with Mireya Mayor before reading the book the title and a blog review piqued my interest. An interesting and easy read, it has the right amount of personal story and science along with a healthy dose of self-deprecation. Mayor chronicles her story, beginning with her upbringing with three strong Cuban women in 1970s-era Miami, and continues to discuss her foray into NFL cheerleading, the discovery of her passion for studying primates, and her expeditions, both for research and for tel...more
Jun 16, 2012
Stacia
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
teens & adults who enjoy adventure & inspiring stories
Shelves:
2012
For writing, I'd probably give it 3 stars (it's a bit jumpy between chapters), but for her guts in pursuing her dream, plus her funny & practical "Vain Girl's Survival Checklist" packing guide at the end of chapter 12, I'm giving her book 4 stars. (Did you know a certain feminine product is good for starting fires or that Windex works for neutralizing flesh-eating fish bacteria? Lol.)
Mayor is a fun, inspiring author & provides a nice mix of detail, drama, wonder, mishaps, & laughter...more
Mayor is a fun, inspiring author & provides a nice mix of detail, drama, wonder, mishaps, & laughter...more
Disappointing. The title piqued my curiosity, but the actual explanation of how Mireya Mayor went from cheerleader to scientist is not very interesting. There are some neat stories in the book about Mireya's experiences observing various animals all over Africa, but in the end the biography felt trite and the stories were disjoint. A good biography has some theme, like "accept each opportunity you encounter" or "perseverance pays off," but Pink Boots and a Machete was theme-less.
Also, the author...more
Also, the author...more
1 like · like · see review
First off, many, many thanks to National Geographic for sending me a complimentary copy of this book as part of the First Reads/Goodreads Giveaway program.
I'm very torn about rating and reviewing this book.
Mireya Mayor is an astonishing, inspirational woman who has done some amazing things in her adventures around the globe. She's a Fulbright scholar, she's a National Science Foundation Fellow, she has a Ph.D. from Stony Brook, she discovered a new species of mouse lemur and she even worked wit...more
I'm very torn about rating and reviewing this book.
Mireya Mayor is an astonishing, inspirational woman who has done some amazing things in her adventures around the globe. She's a Fulbright scholar, she's a National Science Foundation Fellow, she has a Ph.D. from Stony Brook, she discovered a new species of mouse lemur and she even worked wit...more
6 likes · like · see review
The animal stories are o.k., but is her story which is annoying: that is repeating endlessly that she was/is a NFL cheerleader, she grew up with strong women (aunt, mother and grandmother), she is cuban, she likes fashion, she has pink boots, she likes brand products, she is an explorer and she is Ph.d. Most annoying was the cheerleader thing everywhere.
No, a female Indiana Jones would not feel the need of dying her hair in the jungle (and at the same time talking about environment), would not t...more
No, a female Indiana Jones would not feel the need of dying her hair in the jungle (and at the same time talking about environment), would not t...more
Awesome, awesome book.
I forget how I heard about this one, but wow am I glad I did.
While I don't typically think of a short monologue-type book as possible for top-rated literature, this is one of the best books I have ever read (probably top five)
I am NOT a nature / wildlife nut (far from it), but the adventures she describes are exciting and inviting (to a degree, some are just plain scary).
She mixes this with a strong degree of humor and dont-mess-with-the-cuban-female attitude which is very...more
I forget how I heard about this one, but wow am I glad I did.
While I don't typically think of a short monologue-type book as possible for top-rated literature, this is one of the best books I have ever read (probably top five)
I am NOT a nature / wildlife nut (far from it), but the adventures she describes are exciting and inviting (to a degree, some are just plain scary).
She mixes this with a strong degree of humor and dont-mess-with-the-cuban-female attitude which is very...more
First off, I have to say that Mayor's constant reminder of her role as an NFL cheerleader really annoyed me early in the book. However, as things progressed I came to adore that aspect of her background and how it influenced who she is. This memoir is at times hilarious, intriguing, and a bit terrifying. After reading this, I am very much interested in checking out some of the films she made for Nat Geo.
As a search & rescue volunteer, there were moments in this book when I was horrified by...more
As a search & rescue volunteer, there were moments in this book when I was horrified by...more
I thoroughly enjoyed this funny, action-filled, and surprising memoir from the extraordinary Mireya Mayor. The stories of her childhood as the daughter of Cuban immigrants and experiences as a professional cheerleader are entertaining and compelling, but the book really shines while detailing her explorations of (and fight to save) the world's vanishing wild places--especially the island of Madagascar. Mayor's love of the wilderness, its people, and the lemurs, gorillas, and other creatures she...more
Interesting book and well-written, aside from the repetitive hammering of the author about her NFL cheerleader past and her Cuban heritage. They became something I expected to see a reference to at least twice every chapter. We get it already, after the beginning of the book and the first mentions of the issues, but certain things (film crews wanting women to bathe in waterfalls) were mentioned a minimum of two times in the book; struggles with having been a Dolphins cheerleader in her past happ...more
I'm a sucker for women adventurer books, and this one was really fun. How does a self-proclaimed girly-girl end up trekking through jungles, eating bugs, dealing with malaria and charging gorillas and worms that have burrowed into her feet, surviving long periods of starvation and dehydration, and being the first to discover a previously unknown species of lemur? All while maintaining some level of femininity, and, as she admits, vanity. I may never worry about touching up my roots out in the wi...more
I had such high hopes for this book. Mireya Mayor has lead a really exciting life as an explorer for National Geographic...been on a lot of thrilling expeditions while studying wild animals in their natural habitats. Unfortunately, the book felt like a Reader's Digest version of her adventures. I felt that she really could have fleshed out her stories with more detail. Instead, there are a lot of references to her life as an NFL cheerleader, her Cuban heritage, and her little black dress. Being...more
This book contains plenty of interesting anecdotes from Dr. Mayor's expeditions. It begins with stories from her childhood, progresses to her days as a cheerleader with the Miami Dolphins, -Oh, don't worry! She'll remind you she was an NFL cheerleader in every chapter- to her decision to become a primatologist, and the opportunities that decision opened up for her.
The reason I gave it a two is because of her constant reminder that she was an NFL cheerleader. We get it! It's in the title, you ta...more
The reason I gave it a two is because of her constant reminder that she was an NFL cheerleader. We get it! It's in the title, you ta...more
This is a personal account by Mireya Mayor about how she became a scientist and then one of National Geographic's explorers. It's filled with interesting tidbits from her various adventures as well as reflections on how she's handled and overcome people's "you don't look like a scientist" reactions. The book is a little disjointed in its approach but it's still informative and entertaining. While there are a few instances of swear words included, it's generally a clean read and I think would be...more
It was a treat to read about a strong, adventurous, and independent woman pursuing her dreams. I really admired Mireya's sense of adventure and storytelling capabilities. I think the memoir would have been stronger with fewer stories and more depth to the ones that she choose (such as more information about the people on the expeditions and her relationships to them, and also more about the emotional impact of her travels), but as is I still really enjoyed it. I definitely think Mireya is a posi...more
It is quite difficult to write an autobiography when one is so accomplished. It is too easy to sound self-aggrandizing. On the other hand, efforts to write in a more self-deprecating manner, emphasizing the role of friends and luck in one's success, usually sound fake.
Mireya Mayor did not fall into either trap. She just wrote it as it is. A genuine, authentic voice describing what happened, what she did, what others did, and how it all felt.
In other words, Mireya is a Natural Born BloggerTM (and...more
Mireya Mayor did not fall into either trap. She just wrote it as it is. A genuine, authentic voice describing what happened, what she did, what others did, and how it all felt.
In other words, Mireya is a Natural Born BloggerTM (and...more
Mireya takes us on a journey from her Cuban roots in Miami to her brief stint as a Miami Dolphins cheerleader to the jungle of a Madagascar and so on. She also touches briefly on how having a "pretty face" has made it difficult for her to be taken seriously, how she had to work harder. It paid off for her. She became Nat Geo's first female wildlife correspondent.
And if you need more proof that she's more than a former cheerleader/pretty face, read this book! She travels to South America and the...more
And if you need more proof that she's more than a former cheerleader/pretty face, read this book! She travels to South America and the...more
2 likes · like · see review
I liked the story, but this memoir is not really very well written. I wanted to read more about the writer personally and her relationships with her family, friends, and coworkers, and less about which vanity items she packed on her various trips. She mentions the fact that she was an NFL Cheerleader about 85 times, and none of her wildlife experiences are very detailed. I wanted to know more about each expedition and how she felt in her dangerous surroundings, more about her relationship to her...more
Pink Boots and a Machete by Mireya Mayor is fairly light reading as in there's nothing too complex, it's just a light, airy read perfect for a summer day. There's also a really good message not just for young girls, but everyone really that you don't have to be put up with being stereotyped. Mireya Mayor was an NFL cheerleader with the Miami Dolphins but gave up to earn her PHD. in anthropology, I believe breaking the stereotype of the "dumb" cheerleader, despite all the naysayer's and unbelieve...more
Mireya gives the perspective of a female who is head strong and determined. She is an inspiration and clearly has worked hard and fought forces many will never have the chance to encounter. I grew to love her through this book and grew to appreciate the work she was doing. I found myself genuinely excited at her triumphs and horrified at her mishaps, the book makes you feel as though you're travelling along beside her through the dense jungle, hacking away with a machete. It's wonderful and I hi...more
In this book, Mireya Mayor takes readers through her journey from Girl Scout reject to a National Geographic Explorer. She has a lot of love for clothes, dancing, make-up, and other girl stuff, but she also, from an early age, liked to chase lizards and play outside.
I struggled to stick with the book in the early chapters - Mayor was very repetitive with the cheerleader shtick and the editing process could have been much better. While each of these items improved as the book went on, they still...more
I struggled to stick with the book in the early chapters - Mayor was very repetitive with the cheerleader shtick and the editing process could have been much better. While each of these items improved as the book went on, they still...more
I found this book interesting overall, since a lot of what Mayor does is what I wanted to do when I was younger. Frankly, I am also a little envious that she has been to places that I have always wanted to go to, Madagascar for one. Except, I am not envious of all the experiences with parasites, biting bugs and animals, starvation, and other dangers. If I had ever been in the exploring field, I think I would have been able to handle some things but after taking a Microbiology class in college an...more
I didn't had low expectations of this book, mostly due some other reviews. I was, however, luckily misguided. This is no great work of literature and obviously the writer wasn't aiming for that at all. What it is, is a personal story about her career and life. Which makes it much more tolerable. She goes on some amazing adventures and sees and does things very few of us ever experience. Would I recommend it? Maybe. To everyone? No. I wasn't overly fond of the writing style at points and the grat...more
Perhaps I've been reading, watching too much Xena, but after reading this book Mireya Mayor seems like the embodiment of Xena (with just a bit of the first season Gabrielle thrown in before she got all Amazon-y)
The book is basically a travelogue of sorts. There are a lot of... personal... details (not familial, but more bodily) in the book, but it works well with the narrative so I didn't mind. Those details don't clutter any of the amazing adventures that Mayor has been on (and survived).
Even t...more
The book is basically a travelogue of sorts. There are a lot of... personal... details (not familial, but more bodily) in the book, but it works well with the narrative so I didn't mind. Those details don't clutter any of the amazing adventures that Mayor has been on (and survived).
Even t...more
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A scientist, explorer, wildlife correspondent, anthropologist and inspirational speaker, Dr. Mireya Mayor, a Ph.D. in anthropology, has reported on wildlife and habitat issues to worldwide audiences for more than a decade.
Mireya has made numerous appearances on the “Today” show, MSNBC, CNN, and Despierta America and has been profiled in People, Marie Claire, Latina, National Geographic Adventure,...more
More about Mireya Mayor...
Mireya has made numerous appearances on the “Today” show, MSNBC, CNN, and Despierta America and has been profiled in People, Marie Claire, Latina, National Geographic Adventure,...more
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“I want to set the example my mother set for me: a strong female role model who faces challenges takes risks and conquers fears. I want my children to know that as women they can do whatever they dream as long as they believe in themselves. More than anything it is my responsibility to instill in my daughters the knowledge that they can have a family and everything else too.”
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12 people liked it
“Every morning in the middle of nowhere, without electricity or anyone to impress, I'd take great care in picking out my outfit and hover in front of a business card-size mirror to apply my lip gloss and check my eyebrows. I also felt I had a strong case for bringing a little black dress on expeditions. Village parties spring up more often than you might expect, and despite never having been a Girl Scout, I like to be prepared.”
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5 people liked it
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Feb 04, 2011 09:44am