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In the Country of Gazelles [Hardcover]

Fritz R. Walther (Author)
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)

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Book Description

July 22, 1995

"... it is interesting and insightful reading for any naturalist and should be required reading for anyone planning a trip to East Africa." —Zoo Biology

"A leisurely, folksy account of Serengeti days spent communing with horned ungulates.... Wonderfully rich and detailed, filled with vignettes, a lovely blend of science and memoir." —Kirkus Reviews

"Walther's focus is on animal behavior, and his passion for these animals lends his scientific observations a panache not always found in such strict observational studies.... his accounts of the mating, grazing, territorializing, and fleet-footed departures of Grant's gazelles, zebras, dik-diks, and his favorite, Tommys (Thompson's gazelles), are inspired." —Booklist

"... an engaging narrative of the lifestyle of predator and prey on the African plains. Short-tail, Old Roman, and Mzee come to life in the pages of this entertaining yet educational book. Strongly recommended for its warmth and depth of understanding from a seasoned researcher... " —Library Journal

"... a collection of first-person adventure stories that pull the reader right into the Serengeti plains." —Science Books & Films

"If you want to know why wildlife biologists devote lifetimes to their efforts, read this splendid book. It is a wonderful blend of scientific objectivity and child-like wonder with which only the best biologists are blessed. Most highly recommended." —Wildlife Activist

"Read this book. It is an excellent natural history of antelopes written by a thougthful and original man." —New Scientist

"I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the animals that Fritz calls 'my people.' If gazelles could choose an advocate for themselves, they surely would select Fritz Walther. He knows those elegant animals better than anyone, and in this affectionate tribute he describes their behavior with charm, spirit, and insight." —George B. Schaller, author of The Last Panda

"Fritz Walther's In the Country of Gazelles is a wonderful book. It gives excellent insights into the society of gazelles, along with tantalizing glimpses of the African plains and the life of a field biologist. I enjoyed it and was rewarded." —Bernd Heinrich, author of Ravens in Winter

"His discussion of predator-prey interactions is fascinating, informed by rigorous observation, knowledge of the literature, and frank appreciation for prey species. The numerous photographs and drawings by the author add significantly to the high quality of this book." —AB Bookman's Weekly, June 23, 1997

This is the memoir of a brilliant and caring naturalist's experiences—the challenges, problems, and romance of studying animals, especially gazelles, on the Serengeti at a time when it was still one of the great wild areas of the world.


Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Walther's affection for gazelles developed when he toured the Dresden Zoo as a lad, but his fieldwork in Africa did not start until decades later, in 1965, after serving in World War II and studying and teaching in Europe and the U.S. Walther's focus is on animal behavior, and his passion for these animals lends his scientific observations a panache not always found in such strict observational studies. For a man who spent years in the Serengeti, he finds lions dull creatures (although they totally captured his interest when he accidently wandered into a pride while surveying), and his discussion of his encounters is perfunctory. But his accounts of the mating, grazing, territorializing, and fleet-footed departures of Grant's gazelles, zebras, dik-diks, and his favorite, Tommys (Thompson's gazelles), are inspired. Denise Perry Donavin

About the Author

FRITZ R. WALTHER is the author of Communication and Expression in Hoofed Mammals and numerous scientific papers. He has made many trips to Africa to study animal behavior, especially that of gazelles.


Product Details

  • Hardcover: 176 pages
  • Publisher: Indiana University Press; 1st Edition. edition (July 22, 1995)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 025336325X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0253363251
  • Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.2 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,489,101 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars What wonderful little creatures!, February 27, 2008
This review is from: In the Country of Gazelles (Hardcover)
Prior to reading this I've always had an intense fascination with African Antelopes, particularly the Tommy(Thomson's Gazelle), Spring Bok, Impala, and Wildebeest. There is something so wondrous about their elegance, gentle beauty, and astounding grace, agility, and speed.

I've always wondered why I could never find ANYTHING pertaining to African antelopes, particularly Thomson's gazelle, without their presence being solely limited to food stock for roving predators. Literally, there are no PBS television specials or extensive research material on these wonderful creatures...

That is until I read, "In The Country of Gazelles." My goodness this book was the breath of fresh air that I longed for. Fritz R. Walther--unknowingly--wrote this book for me, I'm convinced. I love those speed racing little Tommies even more now. Walther, in his adoration for the antelopes, allows the reader to learn about an animal that everyone knows so little about. I've always wondered how, in the midst of numerous threats(predation being only one), these animals-gentle plant eaters-managed to survive, thrive, and proliferate, in the face of such gargantuan obstacles.

The end of the Thomson's gazelle installment, literally, brought a tear to my eye. Walther had so much respect and admiration for gazelles. It comes through in every word he writes. This makes me long for the day when I can take my own journey through the Seregeti and see a herd of Tommies for myself.

If you love Gazelles and tire of them spoken about in terms of predation...Then this is the book for you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
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