The Impenetrable Forest (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Like a warm cup of sweet Mexican atole on a cold morning, (The Impenetrable Forest) fills your belly and makes you smile." -- PeaceCorpsWriters.org

"...a downright wonderful book. A fine writer and a superb naturalist, he brings the true observer's eye and the artist's sensibility to one of the most compelling subjects in all natural history....an unforgettable book--funny, tragic and brilliant." -- Robert Michael Pyle, author of Sky Time in Gray's River and Where Bigfoot Walks

"Like a warm cup of sweet Mexican atole on a cold morning, the book fills your belly and makes you smile." -- Lawrence F. Lihosit, Across the Yucatan

"Thor Hanson's `The Impenetrable Forest' takes us on several remarkable journeys as he describes his experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer in a remote national park in Uganda: his personal journey into a new culture, a journey into the habitat of mountain gorillas, and a journey into the complex issues of conservation in a developing country. Hanson's lighthearted, yet poignant stories of life in Uganda make you feel like you are right next to him throughout his adventures and misadventures. Hanson's `coming of age' experiences in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park parallel the development of a new national park struggling to save the critically endangered mountain gorillas. The book uniquely intertwines the natural history of mountain gorillas with the culture of the people that live as their neighbors. Hanson's experiences were both happy and sad, stressing the bittersweet aspects of life in Africa. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a personal account, yet well-rounded view, of the conservation issues surrounding a charismatic species such as the mountain gorilla." -- Martha M. Robbins, PhD, Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology

"Thor Hanson's memoir is a fascinating and enjoyable read. Particularly timely, it gives us great insight into conservation and ecotourism in a world that is often harsh and cruel. More so, though, Impenetrable Forest transforms the mountain gorillas of Uganda and the people who care for them into deep, complex, loving characters. " -- Garth Stein, New York Times bestselling author of The Art of Racing in the Rain

Fascinating...very well-written -- Gorilla Journal

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

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

Thor Hanson's memoir is a fascinating and enjoyable read. Particularly timely, it gives us great insight into conservation and ecotourism in a world that is often harsh and cruel. More so, though, Impenetrable Forest transforms the mountain gorillas of Uganda and the people who care for them into deep, complex, loving characters. -- Garth Stein, New York Times bestselling author of The Art of Racing in the Rain --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description

“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

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Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse Star; illustrated edition edition (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: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,058,385 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 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

By	Andrew M. Luks (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

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.

12 of 12 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	James H. Sandler (Vernon, N.J. USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Impenetrable Forest: My Gorilla Years in Uganda, Revised Edition (Hardcover)

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.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a great book!, July 9, 2008

By	Virginia McDevitt (Warwick, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Impenetrable Forest: My Gorilla Years in Uganda, Revised Edition (Hardcover)

Thor Hanson has introduced me to a place I now would love to travel to. After reading this book I feel like I'm friends not only with Thor--who has a great sense of humor and an interest in all living things--but with the people and gorillas of Bwindi. Without being lectured to I learned about the habits and habitats of mountain gorillas, the many ways to make and enjoy the local beer or wine, the history and politics of Uganda and when and why you should paint a baboon's back end white! I highly recommend this book.