Beyond Innocence: An Autobiography in Letters: The Later Years

Jane Goodall's Autobiography in Letters #2

by Dale Peterson, Dale Peterson (Editor)

The second volume of Jane Goodall's remarkable self-portrait in letters, Beyond Innocence details some of the eminent scientist's greatest triumphs and her deepest tragedies. It covers the years following the publication of her groundbreaking book In the Shadow of Man, which, along with her articles in National Geographic, made her famous. Goodall's candid letters recount major events in her life and research, including her astonishing discoveries about chimpanzee behavior, the birth and raising of her son, the breakup of her marriage to Hugo van Lawick, the kidnapping by guerrillas of a group of her students, her marriage to Derek Bryceson and his death, and her growing concern about the future of her beloved chimpanzees at Gombe and elsewhere in the world. Beyond Innocence tells how many of the dreams of Goodall's youth were shattered, but also how she changed from a rather private observer to a public crusader.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Science, Autobiography, Africa, Animals, Nature

448 pages, Paperback

First published July 12, 2001

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this second volume of her autobiography through personal correspondence, Jane Goodall changes from chimpanzee researcher to conservation activist who travels all over the world to raise awareness of the plight of endangered species. (The first volume is "Africa in My Blood") I enjoyed reading of her appreciation for the beauties of nature and the world's creatures. In reference to the title, she has to face some tough times, including witnessing violence among the chimps, her first marriage ending when she and her husband couldn't give attention to two careers in two locations and losing her second husband to cancer after a marriage of a few short years. Though she takes time to mourn, she always comes back to her quest for a better world. Not a massive volume, but not a quick read either.

As much as Jane wanted to stay in Gombe, Tanzania running the research activities there, political unrest and crime (especially the kidnapping of several research students in 1975) made that dream too difficult. Goodall shifted her energies to helping limit the number of chimpanzees in research laboratories and caring for orphan chimps exported from African countries for profit--most notably Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). Through two marriages and raising her son, affectionately called "Grub", we read of how she became the Jane Goodall of today.

"I never wanted to become involved in caring for captive chimpanzees. Improving conditions in existing zoos, trying to help chimps in medical research laboratories--yes. Establishing and being responsible for orphans, especially in politically volatile Africa--no. But having learned from the chimpanzees for so many years, there was no way I could turn my back on abandoned individuals. That is how our first sanctuaries started in Congo and Burundi. But, from the first, I realized that sanctuaries would have to pay for themselves AND become conservation tools, to be used to encourage the local people, hunters and governments to enforce their own existing laws that make it illegal to hunt and sell endangered species (such as the great apes) without a licence." (pp 392-3)

[Deborah Sowery-Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think quite often with books solely comprised of letters that you have to kind of worship the letter writer to appreciate it. And so it goes with this one as Goodall is definitely one of my heroes so I enjoyed reading about this period of her life through her letters.

[Rena Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane Goodall has been a heroine of mine for 50+ years. Her dedication and discipline in studying chimpanzees, and especially her efforts to change how captive ones are used and treated, has been a huge inspiration to me. This book of letters showed me a more intimate side of Goodall that I wasn't aware of, but totally enjoyed.

Her insistence on maintaining strong and frequent epistolary communication with family, friends and colleagues is amazing and commendable. The peek into personal life and struggles also gave me more fuel for my undaunted admiration of her and her work.

I saw her speak at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, in 1983, I believe. She and Biruti Galdikas were on a book tour at the time, if I remember correctly, and the focus and energy of both of these beautiful ladies was so admirable and exciting.

[ErinG · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second volume of Jane Goodall's letters. I liked this book, but less than the first volume. This dealt less with the chimps and more with her work as a lecturer and animal supporter, so the letters are a little less interesting. Also, these letters seem to skip around more so the chronology was hard for me to follow sometimes. There were some life events that I would have liked to more about, but were just touched on.

All in all, she is one impressive lady. Wish I could be more like her.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a continuation (following "Africa in my Blood") of her life work recounted through letters to various family members, colleagues, and others. While the first part is still predominantly her work in Gombe with the chimps, the bulk of the book goes on to her conservation efforts. I don't mean to knock the importance of that, just that it wasn't as interesting to read, in my opinion. The chapter introductions and summaries also got rather tedious when much of what they said was pulled straight from the letters.

[Mbhatia · Rating 1 out of 5]

couldn't finish. did not like the way Goodall interfered with her experiments by inoculating, putting out of misery , etc. did not like format where author told you the story then repeated the story through letters

[Slhess · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sure that Jane Goodall's life story is fascinating, but I just could not get into the style this book was written in. I found the reading of all of her letters to various people too tedious to read. I would rather read a good biography without all the letters.

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is her second book. I have always admired her work with the chimpanzees and where she went to observe them was not always safe, war was all around her. She is a great inspiration in trying to save these chimps from extinction.

[Avary Doubleday · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though I admire Jane Goodall greatly, I'm not much of chimp fan. Not enough about Africa to keep me ienterested.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing woman.

[Marion]

See JG, Spiritual Journey