Customer Reviews

In the Kingdom of Gorillas: The Quest to Save Rwanda's Mountain Gorillas

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I read this book while in Rwanda for gorilla tracking, and, as such, was really hopeful that it would give me greater insight into the history of Rwanda and the gorilla conservation movement.

While there is much within the book that is interesting, I found myself so turned off by their continued sniping and disparagement of Dian Fossey's character (even in the pages immediately following her death), that I had to question their perspectives and motives overall. They struck me as "Salieris"... so clearly jealous of her, her fame (which they have obviously never achieved) that their petty remembrances (she drank too much, she didn't give us wood) tainted the whole book. They were hired by her, clearly had a personality clash and then never got over it. Or perhaps they felt these tabloid "inside scoops" on Dian Fossey would help to sell more books?

Either way, they have lost. They didn't seem like good scientists or good people to me.

Let me start by saying that the only criticism I have of this book is that it doesn't talk about the gorillas themselves, their lives and behavior, all that much. If you want a natural history of gorillas, look elsewhere.

Having said that--this is an excellent book and I highly recommend it, especially if you're going to Rwanda. The book follows the development of the Mountain Gorilla Project from the last years of Dian Fossey's life through the Rwandan genocide and beyond. It is written by the couple who took over the Project after Fossey's murder, and tells their story in fascinating detail. It is a record of the ongoing struggle to maintain a national park in a poor country, of the commitment and hard work of a few people--Europeans, Americans, Rwandans--in difficult and even deadly circumstances, and, most importantly, of the interactions of poverty, politics, personality, corruption, ignorance, education, inspiration, fear, courage, joy and tragedy in the real world of conservation biology.

While this is about one country, one park (mostly) and one species, it will give the reader a much clearer understanding of the diffculties faced by field biologists, park rangers, conservationists and governments the world over who are trying to preserve wild places.

The book is written in a lively, conversational style and makes every effort to be even-handed with some difficult personalities (Fossey's not least of these). Even though the book devotes only a chapter to the horror of the genocide, it presents the events in both a larger context and very personal, affecting detail. In fact, one of the great strengths of the book is its graceful incorporation of the big picture and the snapshot to tell a whole story.

If you're going to Rwanda (or if you've been there)--BUY THIS BOOK!

Mountain Gorilla conservation and protection is a tenuous, difficult and sad story of the plight of these wonderful, intelligent beings. The truth of Dian Fossey's last years is also painful to digest. This book is forthright and eye-opening.

The goal of the Weber-Vedder research team goes way beyond the single-minded documentation of one species: they study not only the life of the mountain gorilla, but also their changing habitat and the needy humans who share it. Amy Vedder is a biologist, her husband Bill Weber a social scientist, and their multidisciplinary approach to conservation offers a fresh look at opportunities to create win-win situations for both the animals and the humans who live near them.

In a lively and fast-paced narrative, Weber and Vedder document threats to the gorillas from 1978  1992, presenting graphic accounts of animals injured by snares, beheaded by poachers, exposed to diseases borne by humans, allowed to die for lack of medical care, and forced to live in ever decreasing habitats, with more and more limited food supplies. Working first with Dian Fossey, whose battles with the bottle and mental illness are well documented, they eventually found the Mountain Gorilla Project, working with local governments and international foundations to develop educational programs, slow down the devastation of forests to create farmland, and make Rwandans proud of the unique environment they share with the animal world.

The outbreak of the Rwandan civil war in 1993, and the ensuing genocide of over a million people, which no western nation or the U.N. intervened to prevent, are depicted dramatically, emotionally, and thoroughly, as the research team returns to Rwanda to find their workers dead, missing, or in jail. Ironically, the gorillas are thriving. As the country tries to heal its wounds and rebuild, the authors comment about values: "There are more than a few Rwandans who wonder if the Western world would have intervened more quickly and forcefully if mountain gorillas, rather than Africans, were being slaughtered in 1994." In Rwanda, it may be the humans who are the more fragile species in this dangerous land. Mary Whipple

An intimate, engrossing tale of an American couple's long and largely successful campaign to protect the mountain gorillas of Rwanda. In the Kingdom of the Gorillas is a multi-layered story that moves easily from the intricacies of field research in the tropics to the dynamics of Rwandan society and politics. Particularly rewarding for this reader were the insights into the conflict between the Hutus and the Tutsis provided through the personal stories of the authors' many friends and acquaintances on both sides of the ethnic chasm, and the careful observations of the personality and behavior of Dian Fossey which go far to correct the public record of this complicated researcher and advocate.

This inspiring book is written by two amazing people who found themselves at the right time and place, with the right knowledge, insight and determination, to develop and implement plans to save the mountain gorilla.
The book covers a wide variety of topics -- from the lives of the mountain gorilla, to the human problems of East Africa (particularly the genocide in Rwanda), to the perplexing life of Dian Fossey, to the politics and reality of conservation, and how their mission affected their own lives, all told with clarity, empathy, and even a bit of humor.
You cannot miss with this book!

I enjoyed reading about the authors' work with the mountain gorillas in Rwanda, especially their emphasis on the human aspect of conservation. I think that most scientists are often unwilling to accept the importance of integrating conservation efforts with development goals, for their dedication to the science of it. I know that that was how I felt for the longest time. I no longer feel that way, and reading about the authors' perspective greatly enlarged mine. One critique that I do have with this book is the unnecessary recollection of all the things that were wrong with Dian Fossey following their discussion of her death. Not only was it superfluous, but it also detracted from their credibility as professionals--perhaps they felt that they needed to one-up Fossey for some of the admittedly horrible things that she did to them? I am interested in their opinions about the mountain gorillas, life in Rwanda, the Hutus and Tutsis, but no, not about their personal biases. Otherwise, this was an intriguing read.

I had this book for many years before actually picking it up to read. I bought it while working at a bookstore and even though I have a wildlife biology background, I do not have a particular interest in gorillas so it took me awhile to get around to reading it. That being said, this was one of the most thorough, interesting, honest, and engaging books that I have ever read on any species or wildlife related issue! Hats off to Bill and Amy because they are two of the most honest authors that I have ever read. They told the whole story about their lives and experiences with the gorillas, even when the facts did not neccessarily portray them in a good light! That makes this read extremely refreshing and their telling of accounts undoubtably truthful and honest!! This should be required reading for any student of international wildlife management/conservation but will be an engaging read for anyone interested in gorillas, wildlife, conservation or the events that took place in and around Rwanda in the 90's. Highly recommended!! Wish there were more books like this on wildlife related issues out there!!

I read this book while on a trip to Rwanda & Uganda to see the mountain gorilla's. It is a magnificent book not just because of the couples work with the Gorilla's in difficult terrain but also because of their initiative to start eco tourism (essential to saving the Gorillas) in the face of much opposition (including Dian Fossey). It is enchanting to read about the high quality of the relationship between the couple and their work with the local people (including the lead up to the chilling Genocide).

I am planning on rereading it.

This is a fantastic book. It looks at the authors experiences in Rwanda studying mountain gorillas. It is fascinating to read of the individual gorillas and the authors relationships with them, as well as how they studied them. You get a real feel for their dedication to these magnificent creatures. This book explores conservation in Rwanda, including the setting up of the Mountain Gorilla Project which helped introduce ecotourism to the world and contributed greatly to the Gorillas survival. The book touches upon the authors relationship with Dian Fossey and is interesting for another view on this much lauded conservationist. It also has some powerful chapters on the Rwandan genocide which leaves you shocked and also thankfully better informed about this terrible event. This was an immensely enjoyable read and is highly recommended.

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