I originally read this (and the entire series) probably as a pre-teen and loved it. For some reason I remembered this as a children's book so I never...moreI originally read this (and the entire series) probably as a pre-teen and loved it. For some reason I remembered this as a children's book so I never bothered to re-read it until now. It turns out this is not a juvenile book and I'm happy to say it has held up well.
What I find especially interesting is reading these tales of veterinary medicine as it was in the 1930s and 40s, but with the bit of medical knowledge I have now (that I didn't have as a kid). Now I'm really able to appreciate how far modern medicine has come, and how much better things are.(less)
I've heard of Steller's sea cow and I've seen Steller's jays and Steller's sea lions, but I knew nothing about the man Steller himself. Now, thanks to...moreI've heard of Steller's sea cow and I've seen Steller's jays and Steller's sea lions, but I knew nothing about the man Steller himself. Now, thanks to this meticulously researched book, I do.
Georg Steller was a German who, along with Vitus Bering (of Bering Strait fame), was one of the first Europeans to set foor on the western coast of North America, and was the first naturalist/biologist to explore the natural world of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. It turns out Steller was a prodigious naturalist, collecting, cataloguing, and documenting whatever he could in the relatively short time he had to explore this "new world." His descriptions of the Steller's sea cow--along with one of the unique bone samples he collected and a couple skeletons in museums--all that remains of the now-extinct 30 foot-long animal.
This is also an adventure tale of an ill-fated sea journey that resulted in the death of Bering and dozens of other sea men. It helps you realize just how difficult sailing and navigation on the sea was before the advent of motors.(less)
On a whim, a 30 year old woman interviews for a job as a morgue technician and is offered the position. She takes it because it seems like the right s...moreOn a whim, a 30 year old woman interviews for a job as a morgue technician and is offered the position. She takes it because it seems like the right sort of job for her, and ends up fascinated with the work. This covers some of the things she saw and dealt with during her first year on the job.
The book is rather interesting but I feel the author spends too much time going off on tangents. Yes, I understand that a writer might want to include a bit of their personal life to round out a book like this, but pages and pages talking about how many bars she went to is unnecessary, as is the better part of a chapter talking about the anxiety she felt leading up to a (voluntary) certification test. Admitting you're nervous is fine, but expounding upon how you had your mom accompany you to the big city for a test makes us lose faith in you as a mature adult.(less)
Africa has such a treasure in its wildlife, yet most native people consider that wildlife a nuisance and/or a meal, so they have no qualms about destr...moreAfrica has such a treasure in its wildlife, yet most native people consider that wildlife a nuisance and/or a meal, so they have no qualms about destroying it. But occasionally there are people who recognize the animals for the value they have in just being animals, and work to save them. This is the story of one of those people, and the Harnas Wildlife Foundation she started, as told by someone who visited and volunteered there and just couldn't get the place out of her head. I loved reading this enough that now I want to go and spend a few weeks volunteering there myself.(less)
A second collection of tales from this practicing vet in the Colorado Rockies. He has omitted the extremely sad stories and failures so you're really...moreA second collection of tales from this practicing vet in the Colorado Rockies. He has omitted the extremely sad stories and failures so you're really only getting part of the picture, but it's still an entertaining and quick read.(less)
A collection of cute, interesting, and occasionally sad stories from the first years of a practicing vet. Wells is called to work with cats, dogs, ass...moreA collection of cute, interesting, and occasionally sad stories from the first years of a practicing vet. Wells is called to work with cats, dogs, assorted farm animals, and once even a yak! Like all books of this sort, the tales are as much about the doctor and his (or her) life as they are about the cases.(less)
Written by the wife of a game warden, The Wilderness Family is a collection of stories about living in the African wilderness. Krüger talks about her...moreWritten by the wife of a game warden, The Wilderness Family is a collection of stories about living in the African wilderness. Krüger talks about her experiences, those of her husband and children, the wildlife around them, and the interactions between them all. They are mostly "happy" stories in that there are few sad endings, unlike most tales from the bush. I found the book entertaining but what bothered me was the degree of anthropomorphism the author conferred upon the animals around her; for example, she often described mated pairs of animals as "getting married." I suppose I expected more from someone who spent her life with animals.(less)
I just adored this book. It is an autobiography telling the story of an African-born British woman--how her family came to Kenya, describing how it wa...moreI just adored this book. It is an autobiography telling the story of an African-born British woman--how her family came to Kenya, describing how it was growing up there, meeting her first love, then later falling deeply in love with her soulmate. It is also the story of how Sheldrick, as the wife of a game warden, began to raise orphan wildlife to give them a second chance at life. She worked with many elephant calves and became an expert on how to raise them, given their surprisingly delicate needs and their complex family structures and emotions. As time progressed her elephant orphanage sprung from her "unofficial" work, and is going strong today.
I was so touched by the lifelong dedication Sheldrick and her family gave and continue to lavish on young, otherwise helpless animals, in many/most cases orphaned by poaching or other human interference. Like any story surrounding wildlife this one does contain its share of heartbreak, and there were several times I shed tears because of that, but the goodness within makes it all worthwhile.(less)
Written by a doctor of veterinary medicine, this book describes not only some of his patients and interesting cases, but more importantly concentrates...moreWritten by a doctor of veterinary medicine, this book describes not only some of his patients and interesting cases, but more importantly concentrates on how he himself became a vet. The author talks about how his interests and class choices in school led to applying to veterinary school, and about all of the doubt and second-guessing that comes along with beginning a career where you are responsible for the lives of other creatures. While his personal journey is probably not unique, he was brave enough to voice these thoughts out loud so others can experience the process.(less)
Before reading this I knew nothing of Mike Farrell so it was interesting to learn a bit about his youth and his life. It turns out he has been a life-...moreBefore reading this I knew nothing of Mike Farrell so it was interesting to learn a bit about his youth and his life. It turns out he has been a life-long activist in support of human rights which of course is a nobel cause. To be honest, it wasn't until I finished the chapters talking about his involvement with M*A*S*H that I realized that was the reason I was reading the book; I wanted to hear more about the TV series. For that reason I did skim through the latter third of the book. Still, it was a good read, having been written straight from the heart.(less)
I bought this book after reading an excerpt, which I thought was hilarious. (The excerpt that is, not the fact I bought it.) Turns out the entire book...moreI bought this book after reading an excerpt, which I thought was hilarious. (The excerpt that is, not the fact I bought it.) Turns out the entire book is full of hilarious, if you are one of those people who think that a dysfunctional childhood complete with dead-animal puppets, duck-eating homeless people, searching for the graves somewhere in the neighborhood so you know where to expect the zombies to rise from come the next zombie apocalypse, and a gang of renegade vultures attempting to create the next zombie pug apocalypse are funny. Which apparently I do because all those things are in this book. And now I find myself writing in the same style the author uses throughout her book. A former HR professional-turned-blogger, Lawson is reminiscent of David Sedaris and Augusten Burroughs, except with more taxidermied animals.(less)
Another fun animal adventure-related travelogue by this former African safari guide, this time outlining his 18 months exploring South America. Alliso...moreAnother fun animal adventure-related travelogue by this former African safari guide, this time outlining his 18 months exploring South America. Allison has a humourous, if slightly self-deprecating, writing style, but most importantly he allows his love for wild animals and places to come through.(less)
The Log from the Sea of Cortez is John Steinbeck's account of the collecting trip originally published as The Sea of Cortez by Steinbeck and Ed Ricket...moreThe Log from the Sea of Cortez is John Steinbeck's account of the collecting trip originally published as The Sea of Cortez by Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts. Ricketts apparently wrote the scientific portions of the paper while Steinbeck supplied the narrative.
Steinbeck starts off speaking of "us" and "we" without ever mentioning whom he is speaking of. Ricketts was supposed to have been on the cruise but I don't recall him being mentioned (by name) in this book at all. I will assume the first person plural refers to both men.
Having been to the Sea of Cortez many times I did enjoy reading this and comparing the 1940 Sea to the one I first visited 50 years later. It certainly has changed; for instance, Cabo San Lucas is no longer basically just a cannery and associated workers, an area with no lights on at night. Another huge difference was the way wildlife was treated. In addition to collecting thousands of (mostly invertebrate) specimens, the team seemed to have no compunction about killing whatever large animals they could get their hands on. They speak of harpooning mantas, killing turtles--several species of charismatic megafauna that people today pay good money to see in the wild. Luckily times have changed, at least in that regard.
Steinbeck does write about a Japanese shrimping vessel that scrapes the bottom of the Sea, scooping up everything in its path. He describes the destruction it causes, and the "appalling" waste it generates as tons of dead or dying fish and other animals are thrown overboard in order to catch some shrimp. The sad thing is, we've know about this sort of wasteful bycatch and destructive trawling for at least 70 years now, yet it still continues unabated.
One unexpected thing I found in here was Steinbeck's sense of humour. he works in funny--and sometimes bizarre--jokes, such as when referring to the Sea-Cow, the boat crews' nickname for the outboard skiff motor which almost never worked.
The 50 page appendix included here is somewhat of a biography of Ed Ricketts, allowing you to learn a little of his life and work.(less)
Case studies and personal experiences of a neurosurgeon-in-training. Dr. Vertosick was a neurosurgery student and resident back in the 70s (I believe)...moreCase studies and personal experiences of a neurosurgeon-in-training. Dr. Vertosick was a neurosurgery student and resident back in the 70s (I believe) and discusses several cases he worked on; some are interesting, others had a profound influence on him as a surgeon. Not every story has a happy ending but the humour he injects throughout the book helps to lighten the mood. Recommended.(less)
Mark and Delia Owens obtained their Zoology degrees in the mid-70s and headed off to Botswana to do field research. They ended up staying there, in th...moreMark and Delia Owens obtained their Zoology degrees in the mid-70s and headed off to Botswana to do field research. They ended up staying there, in the middle of the Kalihari desert with no other people for hundreds of miles (and no water during the months-long dry season), for seven years. In that time they lived with lions, hyenas, jackals, and scores of other wildlife species, and made landmark discoveries about the lives and behaviours of these animals. They were responsible for groundbreaking conservation work in Botswana as a direct result of their studies.
I found this book amazing because of the dedication this couple put into their work, combined with the fact that they lived so simply (seven years of living in a tent and eating things such as raw oatmeal and jerky); I know I certainly would not be able to do that. Unfortunately, like all animal and/or conservation stories, there are incredibly sad parts that bring you to tears. All in all I loved the book.(less)
Considering one of my favourite subjects is animal behaviour, I was looking forward to reading this book. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expec...moreConsidering one of my favourite subjects is animal behaviour, I was looking forward to reading this book. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations.
Grandin is an autistic woman with a Ph.D. in Animal Science, so I thought this book might have a somewhat scientific bent to it. Instead, it is written in a conversational tone, poor grammar and all. That aside, it has some other major problems: Namely, despite the book being about the similarities in behaviour between animals and autistic people, the author never defines or explains autism. She occasionally refers to autistic people perceiving the world in a particular way, but the reader is left wondering what exactly autism is.
In addition, all of Grandin's information about autistic people comes from her own experiences. Not that her experiences aren't valid, but we have no idea if they are typical. And she also paints a big line and places autistic people on one side, and non-autistics on the other, and infers that non-autistics just can't see what autistics do, and that's just not always the case; I notice some of the things she says "only autistics" do, and as far as I know, I'm not autistic.
In general, there is some interesting information in here, and there are bits worth paying attention to. However, had it been written "right," it could have been a great book.(less)
After watching M*A*S*H for the past 35 years, I figured I'd pick up Alan Alda's autobiography as I knew almost nothing of the star behind the TV show....moreAfter watching M*A*S*H for the past 35 years, I figured I'd pick up Alan Alda's autobiography as I knew almost nothing of the star behind the TV show. Alda has an engaging and humourous writing style, and it was interesting to see how he grew up, and the similarities and differences between the actor and his Hawkeye Pierce character. Recommended.(less)
A great book by a Canadian biologist who seems to have been one of the first to document real wolf behaviour, as opposed to fallacies and old wives' t...moreA great book by a Canadian biologist who seems to have been one of the first to document real wolf behaviour, as opposed to fallacies and old wives' tales. An easy read, yet entertaining and funny in Mowat's own particular way. The wolves quickly find a place in your heart, and especially because of that it is extremely difficult to read the epilogue; I really wish I had skipped the last page. Recommended, nevertheless.(less)
A great book that follows a group of students through the two-year exotic animal training program at Southern California's Moorpark College. You begin...moreA great book that follows a group of students through the two-year exotic animal training program at Southern California's Moorpark College. You begin to understand just how demanding and competitive this field is. I found it very interesting, especially because a friend's sister recently graduated from the program. Recommended.(less)
This was one of those books I had heard of, but never knew exactly what it was about. (It ended up as required reading for a class on the History of S...moreThis was one of those books I had heard of, but never knew exactly what it was about. (It ended up as required reading for a class on the History of San Francisco.) Turns out it's about the group of friends who started the LSD/hippie movement in the SF Bay Area in the mid-60s. The book takes you on an incredible (non-fiction) trip through some amazing stuff; things that you cannot believe they got away with. Highly recommended.(less)
Part travelogue, part memoir, this book was written by an American who spent three years working for an English-language newspaper in Ulaanbaatar, Mon...morePart travelogue, part memoir, this book was written by an American who spent three years working for an English-language newspaper in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. He writes about the many things that he researched in the course of his reporting, and provides a wealth of information that the average Westerner wouldn't otherwise know about past and present-day Mongolia. I just wish he had written more about his experiences acclimatizing to Mongolian life. Recommended.(less)
This is Burroughs' first memoir, chronicling his tumultuous and decidedly un-normal childhood. If the stories in here are even half-true then you wond...moreThis is Burroughs' first memoir, chronicling his tumultuous and decidedly un-normal childhood. If the stories in here are even half-true then you wonder how he emerged sane enough to become a successful adult. Reading this book is like watching a slow-motion train wreck; you can't put it down. Highly recommended.(less)
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