1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A bird-lover's delight, November 3, 2002
I learned an immense amount about penguins and other birds native to the antarctic. Having Lockley and Adams each alternate a chapter made the book quite enjoyable. A consummate naturalist, in the old sense of the term, Adam's does display his anthropomorphic side, which is evident in all his work (witness Watership Down, Traveller, Plague Dogs, etc.) and which he has never kept secret from the public. I appreciated him sharing the adventure with us.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Me 'n Joe went fishin' in a far 'way place, April 21, 1997
By A Customer
This is a book for and by bird-watchers. The sightings of rare or unique Antarctic birds, their descriptions, actions and nesting practices make up the body of the book. On a cruise with eighty people the first author makes it seem a voyage of five, with a few crew members for convenience or local color.
The inset descriptions of wildlife by Ronald Lockley, a (then) seventy-seven year old well-respected ornithologist are very scientific, but he has also made them interesting to the uninitiated. His love for all species makes his science human.
Adams' writings are human, too, but in a less endearing way. Whatever is right, noble and just happened in this world because of the Englishman. The disgusting practices that threaten extinction of a species are being carried out by the Japanese, the Argentines, or other non-Brits. The practices he describes are truly disgusting; the fact that he attaches these actions to a nation and describes them as typical of that nationality puts me off. In fact, I was so offended by his biases that my enjoyment of the book was dimmed.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
