Customer Reviews

The Flight of the Iguana: A Sidelong View of Science and Nature

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

David Quammen's Song of the Dodo led me in search of his other writings. The first reward of that quest was this book. A collection of essays from an illustrious writer with keen perception, Quammen casts his perceptive eye on a range of topics from arachnids to zoology. While an anthology lacks Song's comprehensive view, these articles are timeless. Quammen's writing evokes many levels of emotional and intellectual response.

The Introduction sets the tone: "A Mouse Is Miracle Enough". From this opening we tour the wonders of nature, with a couple of side trips to observe that strangest of animals, Homo sapiens. Quammen's gaze never ceases surveying the landscape in presenting us with things we didn't know or aspects of viewing we've not considered. While the very squeamish may balk at close examination of black widow spiders, spoon worms or scorpions, Quammen is adept at taking us gently to these confrontations. As he does, he asks us to reconsider our viewpoint of these and other creatures. We must learn to deal with "faces unlike ours" and shed prejudices even if shedding the fears is more difficult. Changing fear into respect is the first step in acknowledging our sharing this planet with other creatures and stepping back from the destructive role we've adopted.

Respect for life is the underlying theme of all Quammen's nature writings. His "sidelong view of nature" takes us along remote jungle and desert paths to watch and record life's activities. While we like to set ourselves apart from the rest of life, Quammen, with facile pressure, pulls us along with him to observe our cousins. And ourselves. Deserts, it seems, are a haven for more than scorpions and Beaded Lizards. Among the many nocturnal animals hiding from the desert sun is a bipedal hominid. In this instance, the animals are groups of refugees seeking sanctuary in a hostile environment. Quammen's account of Guatemalan refugees and their mentors, also intelligent chimpanzees risk much to support and succor them. It's not a pleasant story, nor one any American can read without remorse. Quammen has made a sharp turn here from his usual investigations of nature's secrets. Refugee running is every bit as much a secret as nature offers, but with what humans are pleased to call a "moral issue". Quammen relates how well we've addressed that issue.

These personal essays are a delight to read. Quammen takes some serious scientific information and then filters it through his humorous perspective and draws some interesting conclusions. All the essays are short but they are provocative and well written. Gee, how come I never had a biology teacher like this!

The Flight of the Iguana takes you from the absurdity of scorpions to the absurdity of creationism. One moment you are watching iguanas with Darwin and the next you are observing the austere history of the Mexican/American border in the heart of the Sonora Desert. Its a book that can be read several ways; from the standpoint of evolution or as human beings moving through history. It is not a weighty book, but it is marvelous and fascinating even to a veteran student of natural history like myself.

Technical, yet understandable to anyone; Informative, yet wild and entertaining. That is how I would describe Flight of The Igauna. A friend gave this book to me in Glacier National Park last summer and I never got the chance to thank her for it. Dave Quammen takes takes the reader to his journey through the Okefenokee Swamp to a description of the interesting mating rituals by African bedbugs. He has a cynical voice but a compassionate heart. Nature is so fragile, complex, beautiful. We humans must realize this. A great book. You'll love it, a I did! Promise!

Quammen writes fabulous prose. The articles are humorous and fascinating, with exactly the right amount of scientific background provided for the average (non-biologist) reader. It's also a great book for taking on a trip because of its format. I highly recommend this book.

i had to read this book for my ecology class in college. it was probably the first text outside of literature class that i actually enjoyed reading; it didn't seem like homework. it made me laugh too. i don't even like science that much, but i really enjoyed reading this.

I found this book at my university's library, checked it out, and read most of it that night. This collection of short essays is sure to raise questions in your own mind. This is my first exposure to ecojournalism, and now I'm seizing every Quammen book I can find!

"Flight of the Iguana" is a trove of odd and thought-provoking ideas about the natural world and our own place in it. When you read about the beginnings of cryptozoology, the cheetah's shrinking gene pool, and the life of a New York tree, you'll find yourself asking everyone, "Did you know...?"

This book accompanied me on a trip to Australia. The articles are a perfect length and very entertaining. The article on the Great Barrier Reef was a nice addition, as I had a chance to experience some of Quammen's vivid descriptions.

I was introduced to David Quammen by a student of mine and this is so far my favorite of his unique perspectives on the natural world. This is a good read even if science is not your life (as it is mine, for I am a high school science teacher)and it is a REALLY good read for those of you who live and breath the subject. The essays are short enough to be a light break when necessary and engaging enough to keep you occupied for an afternoon when the opportunity presents itself.

David Quammen is a well-known writer who compiled this book of many of his articles from years past. He relates human issues to natural history phenomena in each article. I enjoy his style of writing however was bogged down by the political soap boxing by the end. Even though I agree with much of what he saw saying, I guess I just was not expecting the intense commentary.