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The Last Wild Island: Saving Tetepare Paperback – May 1, 2011

by Dr John Read (Author)

8 ratings

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This is the story of Tetepare, the South Pacific’s largest uninhabited island and the fight to save it from logging and destruction. Peppered with humorous anecdotes and accessible ecological explanation, Read’s writing entertains and informs about the culture, society and wildlife of this intriguing island in the Solomon’s.John Read is an acclaimed and passionate ecologist and author, with a PhD in Ecosystem Management. John and his wife Katherine fought in the battle to save Tetepare Island and remain actively involved as Patrons of the Tetepare Descendants’ Association.

Print length

272 pages
Language

English
Publication date

May 1, 2011
Dimensions

5.5 x 0.62 x 8.5 inches
ISBN-10

0980760038
ISBN-13

978-0980760033
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Product details

Publisher : Page Digital Publishing Group (May 1, 2011)
Language : English
Paperback : 272 pages
ISBN-10 : 0980760038
ISBN-13 : 978-0980760033
Item Weight : 11.4 ounces
Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.62 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #4,787,699 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #11,771 in Ecology (Books)
- #13,775 in Environmentalism
- #24,715 in Nature Conservation

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8 ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

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Robbi BT

Inspirational real-world conservation

Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2013

Verified Purchase

A pretty incredible account of real-world conservation in one of the least developed and most threatened regions of the world. The book itself is expertly written, combining light-hearted travel writing with the drama of civil war, a dash of science, and a lot of fantastic characters, relationships and insights into Melanesian life.

My only complaint was with what felt like a slightly unsatisfying ending, although this probably has more to do with the reality of saving a wild island rich in timber resources in the Pacific than it does with Read's writing. Five stars, and an inspirational read.

One person found this helpful

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Coriolis

Great story telling about ecologists making a difference at a local level

Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2019

Verified Purchase

Easy reading. Enjoyed it a lot.

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Craig Weaver

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2015

Verified Purchase

great read! I enjoyed it immensly

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C DeRoller

Astonish account of South Pacific environmentalists

Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2011

The story opens with the newlywed author caught in the web of the giant Nephila spider, screaming for his new bride, and ends with the couple having saved the Pacific's largest uninhabited island from being logged.

Read's account of their exploits to save Tetepare and rare wildlife reads like fiction, but it's not- you just can't make this stuff up! More than simple field notes, and far better entertainment than a coffee table picture book, Read eloquently weaves his tales of adventure and misadventure with serious scientific elements to create a book I couldn't put down.

The author holds nothing back- frustrations with local customs and "big men" who seemingly can turn environmental efforts around at will, naming names, and elation with "step-forward" achievements with each successive visit.

As an environmentalist, the author shares his joys with his first sightings of the rare Giant Prehensile Tailed Skink and nesting Leatherback turles, while always on the lookout for the deadly salt water crocs.

Visitors to western Solomon Islands will identify with the locations of the author's exploits and the curious antics of people you may know. I found myself laughing at times, having experienced the same interactions with the same people!

Those who plan to visit Melanesia will find this volume to be indespensible for the insights offered (e.g., GPS that won't work under rainforest canopy and inter-island flights that might or might not arrive today.) For this reason alone the book can save a great amount of frustration and expense!

I wholeheartedly reccommend this book to all who have experienced the joys and annoyances of Melanesia; environmentalists facing tasks that appear to big; and those who love to read real accounts of modern-day explorers.

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Gus

What a "page turner"!!!

Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2011

I have been a campaigner all my adult life, but it is hard to recall a greater personal accomplishment than that achieved by Australians John Read and his wife Katherine. Having enjoyed their honeymoon in the Solomon Islands, they heard about Tetepare, which is the largest uninhabited island in the entire South Pacific. However this pristine wilderness was in imminent danger of being utterly destroyed by loggers and so against all the very powerful vested interests, they determined to save this irreplaceable island and its ecology. Without their extraordinary and unswerving resolve, braving the dangers of sharks, crocodiles, malaria and lengthy ocean crossings in small canoes, "The Last Wild Island" and all its wildlife would almost certainly now be destroyed. This entertaining book describes how their dream was realised.

3 people found this helpful

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Gus

What a page tturner!!!

Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2011

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Holdy

A must-read for any armchair traveller and conservationist

Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2012

The Last Wild Island is proof that a good story doesn't have to contain a moral, elaborate wordplay or a hero to have all the answers. Adventure, keen observations and an unfolding message told as John would tell it around a campfire (albeit with less colour, if you can believe that) will keep the reader enthralled. And the message is this; that conservation -- no matter where in the world -- must be a collaborative effort. I highly recommend this book, well, to everyone.

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Mabel

Saving Tetepare

Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2011

What an amazing story about Tetepare. John and Katherine are to be commended for their passion, enthusiasm and expertise that has been channelled towards this challenge. Written from the heart by an inspirational Australian. An adventure that needs to be told.

2 people found this helpful

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