The Impenetrable Forest and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
The Impenetrable Forest
 
 
Start reading The Impenetrable Forest on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

The Impenetrable Forest [Paperback]

Thor Hanson (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)


Available from these sellers.


Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition $14.97  
Hardcover $18.96  
Paperback --  

Book Description

September 20, 2000
“From my back window the forest rose in a wall of green, every possible shade, as if the whole spectrum were made from one color...”

So begins Thor Hanson’s remarkable journey into the heart of Africa. Lying in the remote hills of southwest Uganda, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest harbors elephants, chimpanzees, monkeys, and half the world’s population of endangered mountain gorillas. For two years Hanson called the forest home, working with local guides and trackers to develop a gorilla tourism program in the newly formed Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Thoroughly researched and beautifully told, Hanson’s story blends natural history with cultural insight to place the forest and the gorillas in the context of modern Africa. He writes of “the inseparable weave of people and landscape,” and how in Uganda, the survival of either depends upon the survival of both. At once humorous, revealing and poignant, The Impenetrable Forest offers a rare and unforgettable glimpse into the world of mountain gorillas and the human cultures that surround them.

A portion of the proceeds from this book will be donated to help protect and preserve mountain gorillas in the wild.

“fascinating…very well written.”—Gorilla Journal



Editorial Reviews

Review

This book is a fun-read that provides an insider's account of life in the remote African bush as a Peace Corps volunteer. Great reading for everyone with a sense of adventure and interested in protecting our natural world. (Craig R. Sholley, African Wildlife Foundation )

If you love to read about people who've made a difference, Thor's life--full of successes and disappointments--makes a fascinating, inspiring memoir. (John Coyne, Living on the Edge: Fiction by Peace Corps Writers )

Fascinating...very well-written. (Gorilla Journal ) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From the Publisher

Award-Winner in the nature category of the National Best Books 2008 Awards, sponsored by USA Book News. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 264 pages
  • Publisher: iUniverse Star (September 20, 2000)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0595130186
  • ISBN-13: 978-0595130184
  • Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,925,427 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Thor Hanson is a conservation biologist, Switzer Environmental Fellow, and member of the Human Ecosystems Study Group. His book Feathers: The Evolution of a Natural Miracle won the 2012 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize, as well as a Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Award. He is also the author of The Impenetrable Forest: My Gorilla Years in Uganda, which won the 2008 USA Book News Award for nature writing. Hanson lives with his wife and son on an island in the Pacific Northwest. Visit his website at www.thorhanson.net. (Author photo by Kathleen Ballard Photography.)

 

Customer Reviews

20 Reviews
5 star:
 (18)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (20 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read About Mountain Gorillas and Life in Uganda, April 2, 2003
This review is from: The Impenetrable Forest (Paperback)
This is a great book. Written in a clear, easy-to-read style the author does a great job of weaving together descriptions of the mountain gorillas in Bwindi National Park with descriptions of the Uganda people and their culture, the politics and history of the country and other aspects of his experiences there. If you are looking for a book with detailed, scientifically-oriented analysis of the mountain gorillas, this is not the book for you, nor is this the book for you if you are looking for great color photographs of the animals and the country (he only has black and white photos of so-so quality). But, if what you are looking for is a book that allows you to learn about a variety of aspects of life in Uganda, its people and the gorillas this is a great choice. It would be the perfect book to read prior to a trip to the region to see the park and its gorilla population.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent view of the Culture in Uganda at the start of Ecotourism, July 13, 2008
By 
Excellent view of Uganda and the culture of both the people and wildlife in existence at the start of the eco-tourism movement in that part of the world. The ability to experience the world of Thor as he was experiencing the joys and hardships as he co-existed with the people and animals of Uganda was fascinating.

I really "felt" as though I was right there with him as he became accustomed to the new way of life - intertwined with his new culture, gaining acceptance with the natives.

An excellent read!

Jim Sandler
Vernon, N.J.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Compassionate and insightful..., July 11, 2008
This book was an easy read but still packed with lots of information. Not only about all the gorillas, and their individual personalities, but also about what it was like living with the people in Uganda. It also touched on the history of African exploration and the study of gorillas. I really didn't know much about topic and I now have much more empathy for both the gorillas and also for the people who live near them. Even if like me you're not a "gorilla person" I think you'll find this book funny, compassionate and a good adventure story.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews











Only search this product's reviews



Inside This Book (learn more)
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
lead silverback, trail crew, banana beer, night nests
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
The Impenetrable Forest, Thor Hanson, Peace Corps, Lake Victoria, East Africa, Virunga Volcanos, Central Africa, Aunt Florence, Enos Komunda, Makerere University, Bwindi Forest, Dian Fossey, Samuel Baker, Milton Obote, Uganda National Parks, Yoweri Musevini, New England, Liz Macfie, Idi Amin, President Musevini, Richard Francis Burton, Bwindi Park, John Harming Speke, Mountain Gorillas
Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Search Inside This Book:

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   
Related forums



So You'd Like to...


Create a guide


Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject