I've Been Gone Far Too Long: Field Study Fiascoes and Expedition Disasters

by Monique Borgerhoff Mulder (ed), Wendy Logsdon (ed), Monique Borgerhoff-Mulder

A compendium of hysterically funny travel crises--and not of the tame "I asked for a hamburger on the train to Frankfurt and got a..." order; these are gems from the field, horror stories written by 21 anthropologists, botanists, and biologists. There are some reports on the well known, such as Kelly Stewart's memory of Dian Fossey packing a pistol in a fruitcake as she crossed into Rwanda. The dominant and disarming truth that reigns in this utterly delightful volume? "Almost every exciting bush story I have ever heard or experienced," cites one contributor, "has been due to the protagonist's stupidity." A must-read for those who ate up its predecessor, the 1994 bestseller I Should Have Stayed Home.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Anthropology, Memoir

296 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1996

Reviews

[Mila · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was also a book picked up for its direct correlation to my impending research in Kenya. The stories are pretty good, however, I think the audience appeal is probably limited to those who have experienced some kind of similar situations or at least the impetus to find yourself in them. Some of the stories aren't particularly well written or well put together, and others are fairly delightful (Truman Young's hyrax essay). If you'll be doing any sort of biological field study and have an interest in the way things were to a certain extent (most stories seem to take place in the '80s) then it's worth checking out of the library.

[Matteo Negro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quando si legge un articolo scientifico che tratta temi biologici/zoologici si nota chiaramente la serietà dell'argomento e la profonda standardizzazione e organizzazione dello scritto che lo rende talvolta ostico, noioso e difficilmente accessibile ai più. Tuttavia raramente si riesce a scorgere il duro lavoro che sta dietro a tale produzione scientifica, frutto di tanti sacrifici e rinunce. Questo saggio, composto da diversi racconti di biologi e antropologi di campo, ci racconta il lato spesso nascosto della ricerca di campo. Tratta degli aspetti più divertenti, comici e umani dei biologi che in ogni angolo del mondo scrutano e studiano la vita sacrificando per molto tempo gli agi della civiltà moderna e la compagnia dei propi cari. Questi uomini non sono spinti dalla ricerca di denaro o di fama ma solamente dalla passione per il propio lavoro e dalla consapevolezza di compiere una missione, spesso non compresa, talvolta derisa dall'opinione pubblica, ma estremamente virtuosa e degna del più assoluto rispetto. Questo saggio mi rende orgoglioso di essere biologo nonostante tutte le difficoltà che tale scelta comporti. Assolutamente consigliato a tutti coloro che hanno provato almeno per un certo periodo della loro vita l'emozione di stare soli, totalmente immersi nella natura a studiare le specie animali e vegetali che condividono con noi il pianeta terra.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend lent me this, way back when, as a salve for my field work trauma--maybe it would hurt less to know I wasn't alone. It took six summers home--this past summer--until I was ready to be curious about my experience, and I finally cracked this book open. In some ways, reading other anthropologists' stories was effective. I indeed know now that many of us risk our lives and our health for our profession. I marvel at the sacrifice, given how little the world cares. I'd wonder why we bother, but I know why--they love an adventure. Which is exactly what I wanted at age 22, but by 30, I'd changed. I didn't want to go. That, and the fact I did it alone, appear to be the difference between my trauma and their exhilaration. My stories are equally as precious. They're just weighty with survival, rather than eager with anticipation.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable book consisting of short stories detailing field trip fiascos. Each story is told by a researcher / field worker, mostly in parts of Africa, but some from South America (the Amazon) and one in New Guinea. It was interesting to learn the reason these researchers were in the far-flung places they were (ie what they were researching) and some of the methods used.
Many wrote about the cultures they were examining - the food, the jungle setting, the beauty, the joys and the privations. I learned that the buffalo and elephants are definitely to be feared (not necessarily gentle giants!).
All the stories were truly interesting. If you enjoy travel books, you will enjoy this book.

[Susan H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being kind of an adventurous traveler, I have really enjoyed this collection of reminisces from field scientists about their days in the field. Most of them are hilarious and/or give you insights you might never have had otherwise about what it is really like to live in places like Tanzania, Kenya or the Amazon. The story about the permitting process between Tanzania and Kenya completely cured me of any delusions about what it would be like to live and work there. As did the one about the snake in the bidet. You armchair adventurers need to check this book out-is great for tedious errands like DMV or the doctor who insists you arrive 20 minutes early but invariably appears 30 minutes late.

[Gemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hoewel de verhalen boeiend waren heb ik me wel geërgerd aan de beschreven praktijken van sommige onderzoekers/veldwerkers. echter spelen veel gebeurtenissen zichbaar in de jaren '70 van de vorige eeuw en ik mag hopen dat er sindsdien het nodige veranderd is.

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining collection of short stories from the field. Fitting for an afternoon at home while dreaming of the next travels

[HeavyReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually laughed long and hard several times while reading this book! I enjoyed the stories about the perils of fieldwork, and I'm glad I picked this one up at a thrift store.

The piece I found funniest was "The Great Parrot Hunt," by James Serpell. ("It was like being trapped in the middle of a demented badminton tournament.")

"Little Criminals," by Truman P. Young was cleverly written and fun to read.

"My Family, Food, and Fieldwork," by A. Magdelena Hurtado was a more serious piece and very informative.

All in all, a good collection of stories of all hell breaking loose off the beaten path.

[Jeannette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course I'm prejudiced. My husband and I wrote a chapter for this book and many of the other 30 researchers are friends of ours. I'd give the book a great big five star but for the fact that quality is so uneven in a book put together with different stories by different people in different places and times. Even so, its a quick fun read...

[Diane in Australia · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Stars = Blah. It didn't do anything for me.