Portraits of the Rainforest

by Adrian Forsyth, Michael Fogden (Photographer), Patricia Fogden (Photographer)

A tiny rufous-tailed hummingbird hovers before the bright inflorescence of a heliconia. Undetected by the foraging bird a golden eyelash viper is curled motionless around the plant. An instant later, this subtle configuration of flora and fauna is shattered by the snake's sudden strike. Portraits of the Rainforest explores the precarious contingencies that determine the nature of tropical life, and award-winning Adrian Forsyth approaches his subject with a "mixture of hope and trepidation." A biologist who has spent 20 years working in the rainforest, Forsyth has observed firsthand the ravaging effects of agricultural, economic and environmental policies on an ecosystem under siege. Yet in this collection of essays, he has chosen to celebrate the rainforest rather than to lament its loss. The rainforest plays a variety of roles -- as a genetic reservoir, a pharmacy of natural products and a carbon dioxide exchange system -- but for Forsyth, its true value rests with something less functional. The rainforest, he argues, represents the pinnacle of biological diversity and evolutionary sophistication on this planet. Forsyth draws on his own extensive experience in the rainforest to make this fascinating habitat tangible for his readers. The result is a creative, anecdotal text that in each chapter follows a thread of adaptive Darwinian logic through some part of the rainforest. The exquisite photography of Michael and Patricia Fogden helps to make Portraits of the Rainforest an unforgettable journey.

Genres: Nonfiction

156 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Adrian Forsyth, Ph.D., is a conservationist, author, and strategic advisor to the Andes Amazon Fund, which he founded. For over 45 years, he has worked in remote tropical regions across the globe. He co-founded the Andes-Amazon Initiative, the Amazon Conservation Association, and Osa Conservation. Forsyth has also served in leadership roles at major conservation organizations and authored nine natural history books. He earned his Ph.D. from Harvard under E.O. Wilson.

Reviews

[Leif · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can't judge a book by its cover. I picked this up at a library book sale, because I have a particular thirst for all things related to tropical rainforest. The design of the book reflects its 1990 publication date, and I really didn't expect it to be all that readable, based on my experiences with other books from that era. It has a "coffee table" look to it, and there's something about the choice of font and the way the photos (although excellent, and found on pretty much every page) are presented and integrated with the text that feels a bit dated.

But the writing is delightful and deeply informed, not only about the biology, but also greatly enriched by the personal experiences of the author. It was only after realizing all these things that I noticed the author is Adrian Forsyth, co-author of Tropical Nature, so this should not have been a surprise. He has a really outstanding ability to sustain the reader's interest and explain the rainforest from every angle with artful choices of phrase and anecdote.

This book is at or near the top, of my favorites list for learning about the tropical rainforest.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating. A relatively easy read, extremely informative, at times anecdotal, all underpinned by extraordinary experience & knowledge. Illustrated with jaw-dropping photography.

[Cws]

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