Wild Lives: Leading Conservationists on the Animals and the Planet They Love

by Lori Robinson, Janie Chodosh, Carl Safina (Foreword)

Today we are faced with the alarming possibility that as many as 50 percent of species alive will become extinct within this century. This statistic is so staggering that scientists have begun to refer to the twenty-first century as the “sixth extinction.” But while this is alarming, all hope is not lost; conservation experts across the globe are working tirelessly to preserve our planet for future generations.
In Wild Lives, twenty of these pioneers share their stories via exclusive interviews. Coming from different countries, diverse cultures, and a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds and specializing in different species, all of these conservationists have an important characteristic in they have committed their lives to saving our planet and the majestic species that call it home. These esteemed contributors

•Beverly and Dereck Joubert, National Geographic filmmakers and big cat experts
•Ric O’Barry, dolphin advocate and trainer of Flipper
•George Schaller, famed field biologist and author
•Yossi Leshem, Israeli ornithologist
•Dominique Bikaba, gorilla activist
•Paul Hilton, award-winning wildlife photographer

Passionate and inspiring, Wild Lives is an important and timely reminder of the beauty and fragility of our world and the obligation that every person has towards preserving it.

Genres: Animals, Nature, Nonfiction, Science, Ecology, Natural History, Wildlife

224 pages, Hardcover

First published April 18, 2017

Reviews

[Emma Blackford · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I really wanted to like this book (inspiring conservation stories - woohoo!), I was overall really disappointed in the execution of this book. The people who were featured in this book are incredible people with amazing drives to save a variety of wildlife around the world, but the storytelling within each chapter fell flat for me. Each chapter read like information about each conservationist had just been plugged into the same template, making each chapter blend together and taking away from the individual stories and accomplishments of the conservationists being featured. This made it hard to continue reading the book, as after I’d read the first few chapters, each new chapter felt like a story I’d already heard because of the similarity in formatting the information. While the achievements of these conservationists deserve to be recognized, I felt like this format was unengaging and detracted from these peoples’ conservation success stories.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 3.0 of 5

This book is essentially a collection of mini-biographies of people actively working in wildlife conservation.

Wildlife conservation is important to me ... it's a voting point for me ... and so this book really had some appeal. The subtitle, "Leading Conservationists on the Animals and Planet They Love" sounded as though I would get some really important information on the conservation efforts.

The delivery of this book, however, is less than exciting.

Each 'chapter' is a mini biography on a different person and each chapter reads very much the same. We get background on the individual, what it was that got them started on their career path, the dangers they face, the dangers to the animals they 'protect' and the challenges that they face. Now add a few comments from the individual to make it unique, and we're off to the next mini biography.

I don't really mean to make light of the people who are doing really important work, but the presentation here lacks inspiration. This works best as a coffee-table gift book - something that someone can pick up, read a chapter, put down, and pick it up again a few months later to read another chapter.

All of the twenty different people profiled are doing remarkable and important work. This alone makes the book well worth reading. And each chapter also provides information to the reader on how to learn more about the individual or their work efforts.

While all the chapters here are interesting, one stood out for me. The work of Dominique Bikaba, "Gorilla Warrior," was especially interesting and his efforts noteworthy.

It is truly amazing that there are people in the world putting their very lives on the line to protect animals and it's great to get this opportunity to 'meet' some of them. I do wish the books were a bit more exciting so that it was easier to recommend.

Looking for a good book? Wild Lives, by Lori Robinson and Janie Chodosh is an interesting book about some of the people working in wildlife conservation today.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an inspiring collection of some of the world's leading conservationists. All of their stories are quite compelling, particularly those working in war zones and areas where non-human and human conflict is high. It is heartwarming to hear stories about people who risk their lives to save amazing non-humans across the globe, especially considering how ignorant the average person is to the suffering of others, nonetheless the plights of non-human species disappearing across the globe. While I am well-versed in conservation and the plight of species contained within the book, I did not know many of the individual conservationists behind the scenes. If you are a novice, be prepared to learn of many of the horrors created by humans but also be prepared to meet some of the most quietly heroic individuals trying to undo the damage. Highly recommended.

Disclosure: ARC received from Edelweiss & publisher in exchange for an honest review. (They may regret this.) Any and all quotes were taken from an advanced edition subject to change in the final edition.

[Turtleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a highly readable collection of profiles of various people working in wildlife conservation around the world. The authors have profiled a good balance of men and women, and also from many places outside of North America. Each profile is fairly short and can be easily read in one sitting. While there are many challenges and sad stories about declines in many species of wildlife, there are also many positive stories as well. This is important, as elephant conservationist Mike Chase says in his profile, "If we do not find reason for hope, motivation will falter, and so will conservation action. How can we call the next generation of conservations to action in an atmosphere of defeat? Telling people how bad things are clearly hasn’t helped elephants. We must now attempt to give people a different message."
One quibble with the book is that the chapters largely focus on the conservation of birds and large mammals. A few profiles of people working on amphibians or insects would have been a welcome addition to the book.

[Tabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Wild Lives is devoted to the notion that conservation can, does, and will work”. I have my masters degree in conservation so I was very excited to read this book and learn about some of the people saving our wildlife. I love the big cats, and couldn’t agree more with Beverly and Dereck Joubert and their stance on, “without conservation, nature fails”. I also strongly agree with Grace Ge Gabriel that, “…animals have feelings, they can suffer pain, and it’s our responsibility to make the world a better place for them”. I really enjoyed learning more about some of these wonderful people I’ve met and others who I just heard about. All the conservationist in this book are incredible people with amazing projects or specific focus on wildlife. I greatly enjoyed learning about so many paths taken to help make a difference for wildlife and what each person focuses on. I wish their were a little more detail on more of their projects, but I do appreciate the websites we can go to for more information.

[Angie E. Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you care about our wild animals, read this book.

If you are trying to figure out what you want to do in this life, read this book.

Read about 20 humans making a huge mark in the world by following their passions. And they all have a similar message on what each one of us can do to contribute.

[Patty Simpson · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I liked the concept of the book, but each chapter was too short and superficial to really keep the reader's interest. Each chapter came across like an 8th grader's essay. More detailed profiles of fewer people would have made for a much better book.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring, interesting, informative.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such great examples of service to our planet. I loved the story of their career journeys which were often not a straight line. Perseverance.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The subtitle of this book should be "stubborn optimists on the animals..."

[Katrina K · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can read my full review here: http://www.mygreenworld.org/wild-live...

Lori Robinson’s new book, ‘Wild Lives: Leading Conservationists on the Animals and the Planet They Love,’ is a captivating and moving exploration into the lives of some of the most passionate, fearless and inspiring wildlife conservationists, scientists, and ‘superhero’ humans in the world. In the face of such devastating atrocities being committed against the natural world, Robinson, and co-author, Janie Chodosh, seamlessly weave the tales of, arguably, the world’s most extraordinary people, into an uplifting foray into the contributions of humankind; illustrating the lengths that these people will go to save wildlife and protect the natural world. These stories are a beautiful fusion of inspiration and melancholy; highlighting Planet Earth’s perilous trajectory and the remarkable people that have dedicated their lives to saving it.

[Teri Stich · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written compilation on amazing conservationists and the sacrifices they make and have made in order to research and educate about wildlife. Timely, should read for any and all who care about our planet and the life found here. Should also be read by those who haven't cared, perhaps with reading this they will.