Jane Goodall: A Biography

Greenwood Biographies

by Meg Greene

Even as a young girl, Jane Goodall was fascinated with animals. As she grew older, she would have the opportunity to begin her research on chimpanzees under the guidance of notable anthropologist Louis Leakey. With Leakey's encouragement and support, Goodall pursued her Ph.D. and began research at the Gombe Stream Reserve in Tanzania. It was there that she would make significant discoveries regarding chimpanzee behaviors. These discoveries, along with her tireless efforts for conservation, have led to numerous awards during her career of over 40 years.

Goodall's life is revealed from her earlier days growing up in England and the influence of her mother, to her experiences living and observing chimpanzees in Africa, and her undying efforts to promote conservation of wildlife. A timeline lists important events in her life, and a bibliography of print and electronic sources provides suggested readings for students and general readers.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Science, Animals, Environment, Adult

172 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Imogen Foster Bauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely informative and an intriguing insight into the life of Jane Goodall

[Kate Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

This provided fascinating details of Jane Goodall's amazing life that I didn't find anywhere else. A drawback is that it was published in 2008, so the last fifteen years of her life are not included.

[Janique Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short but informative autobiography of Jane Goodall. I feel as though this biography is very packed with information and would be good for a grade school presentation. Most of the text heavily focuses on her field research and the methods she used to come to her conclusions about the chimpanzees that she studies in Tanzania. The author also stresses the importance of her research and how Goodall observed hierarchal structures in Chimps and how most are vet matriarchal based. Though it was a shorter book, it took me roughly three and a half hours to read it, it is very important to dive into the lives of anthropologists, especially women in the field. So many of them have been silenced or told that it isn't a job for women but for her to stand up and find all this information, write papers on it and have it on film, and now give back and advocate for animals is really beautiful.

[Timea Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book. It's written well and it's easy to follow. The story dictates in good detail the life of Jane Goodall up to around 2004, I believe. It was really beautiful hearing her accounts of her life in Africa and her time with the chimpanzees. It was also really heartbreaking when she described the loss of them and those close to her.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this Jane Goodall biography on the day of her death. I had gotten the book by Meg Greene at a library book sale several years ago, and I felt it was a good time to read the book. I have read other books about Ms. Goodall and books by her, but this was a small book for a good review of her life. It made me admire Jane even more.

[Dionne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, short biography on an incredible woman.

[Regine Haensel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a Coles Notes version of Jane Goodall's life, less than 200 pages. Might be good if you want a quick overview, but the biography by Dale Petersen is much weightier (in all respects), more interestingt and in depth.

[Tammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book about her life from early childhood to date. Her scientific study of chimpanzees has changed how we view the animal.Can be taught to teach scientific study, chimps.

[Emily Theiler · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would love to read more about Jane Goodall but this book was poorly written.