Editorial Review

Longtime animal lover Kobie Krüger got a little more than she bargained for when she married a game warden and moved deep into some of South Africa's wildest country.Read more

Reviews (22)

Wonderful Book!
I agree with all of the earlier reviews of this book - it is a must-read!My family had the privilege of visiting Kruger Park last November.Ms. Kruger does a wonderful job of capturing what it feels like to be there.I highly encourage anyone who can to make the trip - South Africa is a beautiful country that shouldn't be missed.

if there were 10 stars, this book would get them all
The question is - where do you go from here? After this book you have to take a break before launching yourself into any other read just because there's so much verve and life to this book, it lingers in you for days. You laugh with it and you cry with it. Extraordinary book!

A Great Escape
This is one of my favorite excape reads.I've read it many times and each time get just a bit more out of it as well as the feeling of being there and wishing I was.It's an incredible adventure written with humor and honesty.Life was not easy and it certainly wasn't dull.Ms. Kruger displays the courage and humility it takes to survive, sometimes alone, as part of Africa's protector.The interaction between humans and animals, even the fearful-for-her snakes speaks volumes.It's a book I don't want to end. Imagine raising children to appreciate life in this incredible location! Wonderful. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    2. Essays    3. Kruger National Park    4. Life Sciences - Zoology - General    5. Lions    6. Natural history    7. Nature    8. Nature / Field Guide Books    9. Nature/Ecology    10. South Africa    11. Wildlife    12. Wildlife Conservation    13. Zoology    14. Krüger, Kobie    15. Nature / Wildlife   

Reviews (8)

Wonderful sequel
Written so that you feel you are looking over their shoulders as they see and work in Africa. A bit of mystery, a cautionary tale and an inspirational love story. The book describes the obstacles they faced and the gile, resourcefulness, courage and passion they bring to their work and lives. A worthy follow-on to Cry of the Kalahari and Eye of the Elephant.

Turning the Tide
This book tells of Mark and Delia Owens' work with the animals and humans in the Luangwa Valley of Zambia.Poachers have decimated the animal population (particularly the elephants), and the Owens work toward animal repopulation and human education.They follow a good business plan in reeducating the Zambians.Those relying on poaching for a living must be taught alternative means of support, and the Owens are very creative in this regard.Their self sacrifice during 23 years of residence is amazing!

Travel, science, and social issues blend in a fine survey
The authors had the pleasure and trials of exploring one of the last wild places on earth, in the Luangwa Valley in Zambia - and encountered both wild beauty and danger. Their story comes to life in SECRETS OF THE SAVANNA: 23 YEARS IN THE AFRICAN WILDERNESS UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES OF ELEPHANTS AND PEOPLE. They lived with wild animals, observed similarities between their behaviors and those of humans, and here make additional social comparisons between animals and humans under stress. Travel, science, and social issues blend in a fine survey.
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Subjects:  1. African elephant    2. Animals    3. Animals / Pets    4. Conservation    5. Economic aspects    6. Effect of hunting on    7. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    8. Individual Species Of Mammals    9. Luangwa River Valley (Zambia and Mozambique)    10. Mammals    11. Nature    12. Nature conservation    13. Nature/Ecology    14. Wildlife    15. Wildlife Conservation    16. Nature / General   

Reviews (44)

One Person
'Mom, do you have any good books I can read? Maybe one about animals?' I asked my mom one day when I was bored. When my mom handed me this book, about a year ago, I didn't know what to expect. I read the first chapter and was hooked. The author is so dedicated to animals and has experienced so much, it's hard to put the book down. I think it only took me a few days to read it and I just finished reading it for a second time. Thisis a book that makes you want to go and make a difference in the world. It makes you realize how much the news doesn't talk about animals in a disaster. When I graduate collage, I want to become an animal disaster volunteer. Right now I'm only 14 so I have a few years but, while I wait it's nice to know there are people like Terri Crisp making a difference in the animal world. Before I read this book I didn't think I could make much of a differance, after reading this book, I've learned how much of a difference one person can make.

South Florida dog mother
Ms. Crisp's dedication to all animals in distress is an inspiration for anyone who cares about the living creatures that share our planet with us.Having survived back to back hurricanes in south Florida; I know that even a small amount of time/money spent helping the often overlooked animal victims is precious and greatly appreciated.Thank you Terry!

Great Book!
I read the book and it has been a favorite of mine.I love the animals in this story.It is a real heart warming story. Kudos to the author. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Agriculture - Animal Husbandry    2. Animals / Pets    3. Biography    4. Crisp, Terri    5. Disaster Relief & Rescue Operations    6. Essays    7. Nature    8. Nature/Ecology    9. Pets    10. United States    11. Wildlife    12. Wildlife conservation    13. Wildlife rescue    14. Animal welfare    15. Literary Criticism & Collections / General    16. Pets / Essays    17. Political Science-Disaster Relief & Rescue Operations    18. Technology-Agriculture - Animal Husbandry   

Subjects:  1. African elephant    2. Asiatic elephant    3. General    4. Mammals    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Pets    8. Wildlife conservation    9. ASIA    10. Africa    11. Evolution    12. History of specific subjects    13. Life Sciences | Vertebrate Zoology | Mammalogy    14. Nature / Mammals    15. Wild animals   

Reviews (4)

gorgeous illustrations, info. you won't find anywhere else
This has got to be the single best guide to Antarctica's unusual wildlife. Everything is covered here, from Gentoo Penguins to Crab-Eater Seals (which don't actually eat crabs). Beautiful illustrations make it easy to identify birds & other animals while your out on the ice. If you're going to the White Continent, you'll want to stash this little book in your daypack. This book was useful when my husband & I visited the Antarctic peninsula, which we chronicle in our DVD "T&T's Real Travels in Antarctica" (also available on amazon.com).

A handbook essential for any Antarctica-bound traveler
The price tag may seem steep for the fourth edition of this 144-page paperback - but where else are you going to find details on the wildlife of Antarctica, tailored as a take-along tote for the Antarctica-bound traveler? Color drawings by Dafila Scott accompany nature history descriptions of each creature and discussions of identification specific to Antarctica, from contending with visibility factors to seasonal identification features. Antarctica: A Guide To The Wildlife is a unique and strongly recommended "take-along" handbook essential for any Antarctica-bound traveler.
Great, portable guide
I bought this book in preparation for a trip 'South' in December 1999/January 2000 and it was an extremely useful guide to wildlife in general but especially good for penguin information. The drawings by an ancestor of Robert F. Scott's are lifelike, and engaging art as well.The brief summaries of natural and exploration history are accessible and informative. If you are looking for a portable guide to peninsular wildlife get the book--you won't regret it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - General    2. Polar Regions    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel - General    6. Travel Guides    7. Wildlife    8. Wildlife Conservation    9. Antarctica    10. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS    11. Travel / Polar Regions   

Reviews (3)

The Last Safari Review
It's an excellent, no-holds-barred book giving the plus and minuses of the human stars: George and Joy Adamson. And it's a book of triumphs and failures. The book is precise, but it does have some gaps which are filled by reading George Adamson's book My Pride and Joy. If you care about the most majestic of Africa's wildlife, this is a must book. But if you want to learn more about the nature of wildlife, particuarly lions, read My Pride and Joy. I highly recommend both books.

Great book for anyone who liked "Born Free"
This book is a fascinating review of two very complex people. It doesn't gloss over their strengths or weaknesses. They led amazing lives in a world we'll never see again. I enjoyed every chapter.

A great read on two amazing people
I liked this book particularly because it didn't report something as fact unless there was something to back it up or that the writer personally witnessed.Adrian House uses a lot of George and Joy Adamson's own diaries, unpublished writings, and personal letters to give a good glimpse into the personal lives of the couple.It also gives a detailed account of their murders and the circumstances leading up to them.I would recommend this book as a well rounded biography that looks critically into the lives of two unique and amazing people. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1906-    2. Adamson, George,    3. Adamson, Joy    4. Biography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Kenya    8. Scientists - General    9. Wildlife Conservation    10. Wildlife conservationists    11. Zoologists    12. Adamson, George   

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Balog, James    3. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    4. Endangered species    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Photography    7. Photography Of Specific Subjects    8. Photography of animals    9. Pictorial works    10. Wildlife Conservation    11. Wildlife photography    12. Photographs: collections    13. Wild animals   

Reviews (2)

A classic reference
Super book that talks to all the needs of wildlife:Food, water, place to stay.It introduces the idea of creating wildlife habitat then steps through different types of gardens (woods, meadow, water) and then goes into some neat chapters on gardening for birds, butterflies and nightlife (which I esdpecially was interested in since I hadn't seen much of this).This was probably one ofthe first mainstream books to talk to bringing back habitat for wildlife and gardening for wildlife.I see it as a classic, a great foundation that you can build off of.If you're just starting to get your arms around gardening for wildlife this is a terrific place to begin - has more than enough to keep you busy.

The National Wildlife Federation Guide to Gardening for Wild
Well If you are a avid gardener like me, you would be naturally attracted to the beautiful, coulourful pictures, perfect for coffee table adornment.The only disappoint ment is it does not help you if youlive in theCaribbean, it deals mostly with temperate plants,but otherwise a joy toread. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening to attract wildlife    4. Gardening/Plants    5. General    6. Home Gardening    7. Wildlife Conservation    8. Wildlife attracting   

Reviews (2)

2001 Conservation Directory
This volume covers every government agency covering environmental concerns. Federally Protected Areas are described
Great Resource
This is a must for conservation education professionals.The numerous indexes and summary descriptions of organizations are wonderful. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Conservation Of Natural Resources (General)    2. Directories    3. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    4. Environmental Engineering & Technology    5. Reference    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Technology    8. Wildlife Conservation    9. Conservation of the environment    10. Reference / Directories   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (2)

VERY VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
Are you studying at the graduate and undergraduate level in the area of wildlife management and conservation? If you are, this book is for you! Authors Anthony R. E. Sinclair, John M. Fryxell and Graeme Caughley, have written an outstanding 2nd edition of a book about how conservation has become an increasingly important component in the management of animal populations and their habitats.
An excellent text
This is a most excellent book. Aimed at the intermediate to advanced student Sinclair et al.'s book covers an enormous amount of ground with detail and grace.The authors manage to pull the best out of the lessons that wildlife ecology, conservation biology, and habitat management should have taught us over the past 30 years, and present the results in clear insightful prose.While this book is not for the faint of heart -it does NOT scrimp on mathematical modelling- the examples presented are straight and to the point, and running it by a small seminar of (admittedly clever) undergrads I found them well able to keep up with what was going on.What I really like aboutWECAM (excuse the abbreviation) is the real attempt to integrate the three often all-too-disconnected "disciplines" of the title.Throughout one gets the sense that these folks are professionals who have been out in the field AND ALSO in front of the computer and are presenting stuff that has really worked for them. Beyond the text itself there is a useful glossary of terminology plus an exhaustive Lit. Cited that is worth the price of admission by itself. -oh yeah, speaking of price.this book is significantly cheaper than other texts in the field, has a CD with working examples of the models attached, and even in paperback is well constructed & won't fall apart in student backpacks when you tell 'em to "bring the book" on overnight field trips.Most Excellent! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animal ecology    2. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    3. General    4. Life Sciences - Ecology    5. Nature    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Wildlife conservation    9. Wildlife management    10. Management of land & natural resources    11. Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection   

Reviews (2)

Some very nice pictures, not a lot of information
I found this book to be interesting, with a lot of nice pictures, but sort of short on information. It's 128 pages long, many of them full page photos (which no doubt cut down the number of possible information pages)and is divided into several sections. Much of the book is done from a sort of American Indian perspective telling of their traditions and uses, conflicts with the white man. Later on you get some stuff on the buffalo hunting period, that's also interesting if not entirely error free (in one place the dates are given as 1934 and 1947, that should be 18, not 19. They also call buffalo rifles .50 caliber when one photo clearly shows mention of other calibers).
Outstanding photography
If you love the Great Plains and have a heart for the prairie, this book will delight you. The photography in here is outstanding. After working with buffalo earlier this year, this was a book I had to get. Some of the photos, including the cover photo, bring not only the sights but also the smells and sounds of the giant herds to mind. These photos are worth more than 1,000 words... because they speak to my prairie heart. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American bison    2. American bison hunting    3. Animals    4. History    5. Indians of North America    6. Individual Species Of Mammals    7. Mammals    8. Photo Techniques    9. Photoessays & Documentaries    10. Photography    11. Subjects & Themes - Plants & Animals    12. Wildlife    13. Wildlife Conservation    14. North America    15. Wild animals   

Reviews (1)

Perfect for the small garden
I have a townhouse and very little room to garden, but I've long desired to plan a garden that would blend in with the woods that back up to our house.This book has given me my inspiration and has cemented my decision to plan a garden that will be both natural, peaceful and beautiful.It may take a while, but I'll do it thanks to this book.Have no garden space at all?They even cover that in the "Natural Gardening without a Garden". ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Garden Design    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening to attract wildlife    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Landscape    7. Landscape Horticulture    8. Natural landscaping    9. Wildlife    10. Wildlife Conservation    11. Gardening / Garden Design   

Reviews (7)

This is a book that makes you really think....what did we do?
This is a wonderful book if you are a wildlife biologist or avid wildlife observer.The author does bash the Park Service quite severely, but in all honesty - look into the overall history of the Park Service - he isn't off by far.I truly enjoyed his personal point of view.If you are looking for just a history type book, this really isn't it.This is more of a personal account, more than it is strictly history based about the park service/yellowstone.Highly recommended for those of you with an open mind and a deep concern for our wildlife and national parks.

The uncomfortable truth
I first learned of this book when I was working as a volunteer fire fighter in Northern California back in 1989.The subject came up one evening and the dinner table polarized between the Park Service/Forestry workers and the "environmentalist" crowd. (I was just helping out because my house was at risk from the fire and didn't fit into either camp.)The environmentalists hated the book while the professional forestry managers tried to explain to them that Chase had a lot of good points.I was curious enough to seek out the book to read and learned a lot.Chase's main point is that you can't have it both ways - if you don't want to manage these areas actively you are going to end up with the destruction of habitat and species you were trying to avoid - and proves his case in detail using the Yellowstone disaster as an example.His more recent book, In a Dark Wood, provides more evidence (including a depressing acount of how the unmanged elk herds in Yellowstone are destroying entire ecosystems...

An ideological tract
It has been almost 15 years since Chase published this book. Over this time it has become an ideological tract for those who dislike the Park Service. In order to understand this line of argumentation, all serious students of public land politics should read Chase.Read more

Subjects:  1. Life Sciences - Ecology    2. Management    3. Nature    4. Nature / Field Guide Books    5. Nature conservation    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Wildlife    8. Wildlife conservation    9. Wildlife management    10. Yellowstone National Park    11. Nature / Wildlife   

Reviews (5)

A riveting, disturbing story of war with poachers
Wildlife researchers and conservationists Delia and Mark Owens have spent much of their lives since 1974 in the African bush, first in the Kalahari Desert from which came their best seller "Cry of the Kalahari" and then in the North Luangwa Valley in Zambia, the setting of this 1992 book.
EXCELLENT ADVENTURE!
I wish these authors would write more books about their adventures in Africa. Truly riveting page-turners!

Do not miss this wonderful book!
The Eye of the Elephant is a wonderful, adventurous journey into the heart and soul of Africa seen through Mark and Delia's eyes. From the very first page you are caught up in their heroic quests to protect the animalsthey are there to observe. In spite of the unbelievable odds against them, they persevered and put the safety and security of the highly endangered animals FIRST. The elephants in the Luanga Valley are very fortunate to have had Mark and Delia watch over them and be their heroes. I have loved Africa and the African elephant my entire life and I am so grateful for these two selfless, dedicated people who have become the protectors of our most precious wildlife. This is one of my most treasured African stories. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animal Rights    2. Biography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Elephants    5. Luangwa River Valley (Zambia a    6. Luangwa River Valley (Zambia and Mozambique)    7. Mammals    8. Nature    9. Nature/Ecology    10. Owens, Delia    11. Owens, Mark    12. Special Interest - Adventure    13. United States    14. Wildlife    15. Wildlife conservation    16. Wildlife conservationists    17. Biography: general    18. Nature / Wildlife   

Reviews (1)

First Rate Summary of Planetary Biodiversity and How to Go About Saving It
It isn't often that a sumptuous coffee table book is both visually appealing and scientifically packed with well-researched data. Hotspots Revisited hits the mark on both scores. This updated revision of the 1999 edition of Hotspots expands the number of planetary hotspots to 35. This is an information-packed compendium on those areas of our planet that are species-rich and home to the highest levels of species endemism. The book acknowledges that all biodiversity is important and that all nations and communities must do everything possible to protect our planet's rich biological heritage. Life, however, is not evenly distributed around the world and because of this fact, this volume presents a convincing and forceful rationale for adopting the hotspot strategy for prioritizing areas for biological conservation. This is done by summarizing the distributions of plants and vertebrate animals in a way that is both comprehensive and intelligible to even the lay reader who does not have an extensive background in the biological sciences. This volume is both a visual feast and a celebration of life. It is hard to set it aside once you have opened it. Without a doubt, it is one of the best bargains of any book offered by Amazon.com and should be required reading for all governmental and private organizations charged with saving our natural resources at a time when the fabric of life on planet Earth is being threatened by overexploitation, environmental destruction, violent conflict, and countless other factors. Buy it, read it thoroughly, learnmore stunning facts about planetary geography and biodiversity than you have probably ever been exposed to at one sitting, and by all means loan it to a friend once you have immersed yourself in this model expose of our planet's extraordinary biodiversity. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ecology    2. Nature    3. Nature / Field Guide Books    4. Nature/Ecology    5. Wildlife    6. Applied ecology    7. Endangered species & extinction of species    8. Nature / Wildlife    9. Pollution & threats to the environment    10. Reference works   

Subjects:  1. Biodiversity conservation    2. Biological diversity conservat    3. Environmental Science    4. Environmental Studies    5. Extinction (Biology)    6. Life Sciences - Biology - General    7. Science    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Species diversity    10. Wildlife    11. Wildlife conservation    12. Management of land & natural resources   

Editorial Review

Published in 1949, shortly after the author's death, Read more

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (52)

A must read
A beautifully written account of Aldo Leopold's awakening to an environmental consciousness.

Galaxy (Oxford) edition is worth the extra money
This review does not relate directly to the information in the book which has been discussed in detail in many excellent reviews.This book is truly for the person who loves the outdoors and is in itself 5 stars
a book for meditation. . .
I had to read a science book for English class, and I wasn't the most thrilled. Reading the first parts of A Sand County Almanac, I wasn't sure if I was going to finish reading it, because I found his intense love for nature a bit extreme; however, as I continued reading, I found it very thought-provoking -- comparable to Thoreau -- and made me appreciate nature and its wonder. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ecology    2. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    3. Essays    4. Natural History    5. Nature    6. Nature conservation    7. Nature/Ecology    8. Outdoor books    9. United States    10. Wildlife    11. Wildlife Conservation    12. Life Sciences | Ecology | Conservation Biology    13. Literary studies: general    14. Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection   

Reviews (4)

Lively and Entertaining
I loved this book! The pace never dropped into a boggy, dry accountbut integrated the adventure of being on board a ship chasing whalers with the political history of the group. The issues are explained, in case you missed out on the 1940 to 1980 time period, as I did. Very educational, but never boring. Wonderful!

Great, Wonderful, Spectacular
Please consider reading this book.It has changed many people in their views on environmental policy and activism.it has a good analysis and report on how Greenpeace has affected our lives and the benefits of their active roles.Buy it.Its certainly worth the price.I encourage you to also partake in any environmental activism.Environmental information can be found on Greenpeace's website.www.greenpeace.org

Superb
This book is a dazzling feat of impassioned storytelling. Weyler conjures the feel of an entire era -- sketching the disparate ideas, the hair-raising events, and the motley crew of inspired eccentrics who precipitated a wild metamorphosis in the collective mindscape. Indeed, his evocation of the visionary fire of these activists -- recounting their personal confusions along with their crazy courage on behalf of a more-than-human world -- may serve as a wake-up jolt to an environmental movement that has today become painfully complacent. And it's a damn good yarn, to boot." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    2. Environmental Studies    3. Environmental protection    4. Nature    5. Nature conservation    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Political Advocacy    8. Public Policy - Environmental Policy    9. Wildlife conservation   

Reviews (2)

Perfect for undergrads and beginners in primatology
This book is a wonderful introduction to primate behavior, ecology and conservation.A collection of articles originally published in Natural History magazine, this book provides a perfect balance of the above topicsin primatology.If you are just getting started in the field or you aresimply curious about our primate cousins this book is great.If you are aseasoned primatologist, this is a fun weekend read!

An excellent collection of skillfully introduced papers.
Natural History magazine has published a wealth of information about primates, written by leading experts in field research. Students of primatology, and anyone interested in animal behavior and ecology, will find this anthology relevant and informative. These studies demonstrate the diversity of our closest animal relatives and the intricacies of their lives and relationships amongst themselves and with other species. Read more

Subjects:  1. Apes & Monkeys    2. Behavior    3. Ecology    4. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    5. Nature    6. Nature / Field Guide Books    7. Primate Behavior    8. Primates    9. Sociology    10. Wildlife conservation    11. Animal behaviour    12. Social Science / Anthropology / General   

Subjects:  1. History    2. Nature / Field Guide Books    3. Nature/Ecology    4. Sierra Club    5. Wildlife    6. Wildlife Conservation    7. Non-Classifiable