Walking With the Great Apes: Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, Birute Galdikas (Paperback)

~ (Author) "BIRUTE GALDIKAS sits cross-legged by the female orangutan, Supinah, who is lying spread-eagled in the dirt..." (more)
Key Phrases: other orangutans, wild orangutans, antipoaching patrols, National Geographic, Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this study of three great female primatologists, science journalist Montgomery moves beyond biography into ethology, taking a step that goes well beyond even her subjects' research. Goodall, Fossey and Galdikas each made a similar leap, the author contends, moving from observers and recorders to an almost shamanistic quest to enter the world of the apes they studied. These personal transformations are sketchily supported with anecdotes from the field, personal interviews and even a jarring account of an attempt to contact Fossey, after her death, via channeling. Montgomery adds little to Farley Mowat's 1988 biography of Fossey, Woman in the Mists , but she offers a few fresh angles on Goodall, Galdikas and other characters, human and ape, met before in their books. In an epilogue, Montgomery offers the intriguing view of these scientists as pioneers of a particularly female way of scientific knowing that deserves fuller argument than three portraits allow. Photos.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

Here is the story of three gifted women trained by the famed Louis Leakey. This book, "a sensitive and revealing contribution to the legend of a unique sisterhood" (Chicago Tribune), tells of three women who each gave her mature life to the love, study, and defense of another primate species.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Mariner Books (March 9, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395611563
• ISBN-13: 978-0395611562
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #422,519 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #44 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Zoology > Primatology
  #52 in	Books > Science > Biological Sciences > Zoology > Primatology
  #63 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Ecology > Animals > Apes & Monkeys

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, April 21, 1999

By A Customer

Sy Montgoemry writes extremely well, and as a consequence, her book is compulsively readable. Not only that, but the subject matter is pure fascination, as she sheds light on each of these great apes, their extraordinary environments, and the daring women scientists who study them - their unique approach to science, their trials and tribulations. A great book.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, June 2, 2000

By	Mr. R. Van Schelven "Ries" (Leidschendam, The Netherlands) - See all my reviews

A very well written book and a great introduction to those who want to know more about the lives and studies of these 3 extremely remarkable woman Jane Goodall, Birutas Galdikas and last but not least for me THE woman of the 20th century Dian Fossey.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A heart-touching experience., November 25, 2002

By	Veronica (Kyle, South Dakota) - See all my reviews

An astonishing writer named Sy Montgomery thoughtfull wrote Walking With The Great Apes. Montgomery's captivating novel portrays three women who are fasinated about how primates live and care for one another. In a dire world of poaching and murder, these three scientists attempt to protect and preserve the world and nature of humanity's closest cousins. All together Walking With The Great Apes is a thought-provoking book and a must read for anyone interested in the Great Apes.