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Beloved Beasts: Fighting for Life in an Age of Extinction
A vibrant history of the modern conservation movement—told through the lives and ideas of the people who built it.
In the late nineteenth century, as humans came to realize that our rapidly industrializing and globalizing societies were driving other animal species to extinction, a movement to protect and conserve them was born. In Beloved Beasts, acclaimed science journalist Michelle Nijhuis traces the movement’s history: from early battles to save charismatic species such as the American bison and bald eagle to today’s global effort to defend life on a larger scale.
She describes the vital role of scientists and activists such as Aldo Leopold and Rachel Carson as well as lesser-known figures in conservation history; she reveals the origins of vital organizations like the Audubon Society and the World Wildlife Fund; she explores current efforts to protect species such as the whooping crane and the black rhinoceros; and she confronts the darker side of conservation, long shadowed by racism and colonialism.
As the destruction of other species continues and the effects of climate change escalate, Beloved Beasts charts the ways conservation is becoming a movement for the protection of all species—including our own.
In the late nineteenth century, as humans came to realize that our rapidly industrializing and globalizing societies were driving other animal species to extinction, a movement to protect and conserve them was born. In Beloved Beasts, acclaimed science journalist Michelle Nijhuis traces the movement’s history: from early battles to save charismatic species such as the American bison and bald eagle to today’s global effort to defend life on a larger scale.
She describes the vital role of scientists and activists such as Aldo Leopold and Rachel Carson as well as lesser-known figures in conservation history; she reveals the origins of vital organizations like the Audubon Society and the World Wildlife Fund; she explores current efforts to protect species such as the whooping crane and the black rhinoceros; and she confronts the darker side of conservation, long shadowed by racism and colonialism.
As the destruction of other species continues and the effects of climate change escalate, Beloved Beasts charts the ways conservation is becoming a movement for the protection of all species—including our own.
342 pages, Hardcover
First published March 9, 2021
230 people are currently reading
9,601 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 245 reviews
May 16, 2021
At first, I didn't really like this book. Its format is a little different from most nonfiction books I read. It leans more heavily into the narratives and it's organized about 30 pages per chapter. On the longer side for each story.
As I pushed myself to read it though, I started to enjoy it more. I have not read many books specifically in the conservation biology genre. It seems that most books in the genre focus on one species to highlight, explain its evolutionary history, and the challenges to the species. This book is basically the history of the conservation movement. I liked it because it's not an oft written about topic.
Also, as I went on I began to understand why the author sectioned off her book as she did. Each book chapter serves to highlight important steps in the conservation movements from establishing the EPA, WWF, and Environmental Working Group (among others) to looking at different ideas in the movement like focusing on involving local communities in conservation. In other words, at first you think the book is a bit meandering and as you read through it you become more reflective on how it is organized.
I think you do have to be in the mood to read longer narratives and chapters, but I think it is well worth your time. My favorite chapters were "The Eagle and the Whooping Crane" which focuses on Rachel Carson's contributions and 'The Professor and the Elixir of Life" which focuses on the Huxley family. I knew the Huxley family through TH Huxley aka "Darwin's bulldog", but had no idea what an impressive family he came from. There are a few poetic and interesting anecdotes splashed in there as well. The book also challenges you with some fascinating thought experiments and moral arguments that she leaves open-ended in the later chapters.
Yes, there are a few duller chapters, but overall you really do get into the history of conservation as you go on. It's also neat to learn how thinking has evolved in conservation even among its pioneers and even now. If you are interested in the conservation movement, Nijhuis weaves an interesting yarn and you're probably bound to learn something.
As I pushed myself to read it though, I started to enjoy it more. I have not read many books specifically in the conservation biology genre. It seems that most books in the genre focus on one species to highlight, explain its evolutionary history, and the challenges to the species. This book is basically the history of the conservation movement. I liked it because it's not an oft written about topic.
Also, as I went on I began to understand why the author sectioned off her book as she did. Each book chapter serves to highlight important steps in the conservation movements from establishing the EPA, WWF, and Environmental Working Group (among others) to looking at different ideas in the movement like focusing on involving local communities in conservation. In other words, at first you think the book is a bit meandering and as you read through it you become more reflective on how it is organized.
I think you do have to be in the mood to read longer narratives and chapters, but I think it is well worth your time. My favorite chapters were "The Eagle and the Whooping Crane" which focuses on Rachel Carson's contributions and 'The Professor and the Elixir of Life" which focuses on the Huxley family. I knew the Huxley family through TH Huxley aka "Darwin's bulldog", but had no idea what an impressive family he came from. There are a few poetic and interesting anecdotes splashed in there as well. The book also challenges you with some fascinating thought experiments and moral arguments that she leaves open-ended in the later chapters.
Yes, there are a few duller chapters, but overall you really do get into the history of conservation as you go on. It's also neat to learn how thinking has evolved in conservation even among its pioneers and even now. If you are interested in the conservation movement, Nijhuis weaves an interesting yarn and you're probably bound to learn something.
July 10, 2022
Fantastic read!
October 6, 2020
Honored to have blurbed this forthcoming book; here's what I wrote:
Beloved Beasts is the definitive history of the conservation movement, in all its turbulent, passionate, problematic glory. Michelle Nijhuis shines a bright and unsparing light on environmentalism’s most influential hidden figures, and breathes new life into Aldo Leopold, Rachel Carson, and other heroes you thought you knew. The centuries-long campaign to protect our fellow creatures is among the most dramatic stories in our own species� history, and now it finally has the literary epic it deserves.
Beloved Beasts is the definitive history of the conservation movement, in all its turbulent, passionate, problematic glory. Michelle Nijhuis shines a bright and unsparing light on environmentalism’s most influential hidden figures, and breathes new life into Aldo Leopold, Rachel Carson, and other heroes you thought you knew. The centuries-long campaign to protect our fellow creatures is among the most dramatic stories in our own species� history, and now it finally has the literary epic it deserves.
November 18, 2021
I really enjoyed this audiobook that gives a general history of environmental biology, and how we are affecting the bio-makeup of the whole world. I really liked learning about how a politician set up where certain non-human things have rights, like the ocean, forests, etc. and can have a lawyer stand up for them if something affects them negatively. I sincerely hope we can help defend life on this planet rather than destroy it.
I received an e-ARC of this book by the author and publishing via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
I received an e-ARC of this book by the author and publishing via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
March 29, 2021
I wanted to love this book more than I did. Maybe I would have if I wasn't listening to it, but reading. Maybe. There's also the mismatch between what I expected and what was in it, which is obviously my fault. The stories of the scientists/lay people who made a difference and the lives they might be saving (and the other lives they might be squelching - because these were fallible people) were great, but it wasn't really what I was expecting. I'll give the physical book another go, preferably when my son is looking over my shoulder, now that I know what's in the book.
March 28, 2021
4.5 rounded up
Very interesting and informative.
Very interesting and informative.
November 16, 2021
An epic journey through time learning about the evolution of conservation
This took me back to my Ecology, Evolution and Conservation classes at University, but interestingly covered some of the lesser known figures and moments in history in between the more notable ones. I really enjoyed discovering the transformation of the concept of conservation from the start of naming and classifying species, all the way to the modern notion of population biology.
It delves very deep into the topics presented, but they are told as short-stories to make each subject get the attention it deserves. I always find it fascinating to connect the dots between all these events happening through time that helped shape ideas and beliefs of today. It makes you wonder how this field will grow from here in the future..
I think the examples selected made perfect sense, and highlighted some of the major matters of debate such as “why protect an animal?�, “how does it affect us, humans?�, “are we really responsible for extinctions?�, or even “what actions can be taken?�.
Highly recommend this book to give a good perspective on the current situation of biodiversity loss across the planet and how we got to this point, in a more educational, factual, and contextual narrative rather than from an eco-extremist point of view.
Special thanks go to the netgalley team and the publishers for providing this ARC. I appreciate the opportunity to read it in exchange for an honest review.
This took me back to my Ecology, Evolution and Conservation classes at University, but interestingly covered some of the lesser known figures and moments in history in between the more notable ones. I really enjoyed discovering the transformation of the concept of conservation from the start of naming and classifying species, all the way to the modern notion of population biology.
It delves very deep into the topics presented, but they are told as short-stories to make each subject get the attention it deserves. I always find it fascinating to connect the dots between all these events happening through time that helped shape ideas and beliefs of today. It makes you wonder how this field will grow from here in the future..
I think the examples selected made perfect sense, and highlighted some of the major matters of debate such as “why protect an animal?�, “how does it affect us, humans?�, “are we really responsible for extinctions?�, or even “what actions can be taken?�.
Highly recommend this book to give a good perspective on the current situation of biodiversity loss across the planet and how we got to this point, in a more educational, factual, and contextual narrative rather than from an eco-extremist point of view.
Special thanks go to the netgalley team and the publishers for providing this ARC. I appreciate the opportunity to read it in exchange for an honest review.
August 1, 2022
"We are not as gods but as frogs, and we had better get good at it."
A thoughtful, inspiring look at efforts so far and our chances of improving the environment for ourselves and the rest of nature. Nihuis' book is informative, nuanced, brimming with engagement, and beautifully put together to reveal connections among the cast. The footnotes and recommended reading lists are fun and written by someone who expects her readers to read them.
A thoughtful, inspiring look at efforts so far and our chances of improving the environment for ourselves and the rest of nature. Nihuis' book is informative, nuanced, brimming with engagement, and beautifully put together to reveal connections among the cast. The footnotes and recommended reading lists are fun and written by someone who expects her readers to read them.
August 21, 2024
Superbly written and readable account of the conservation movement. Would make a lovely conservation biology course supplemental text. Inspired me to go visit Leopold's Shack in Wisconsin...
March 16, 2023
4.5 stars, rounded up.
Great read on the history of conservation in north america (mostly) and GB owned colonies. Very informative, with a blend of historical and modern conservation efforts.
Great read on the history of conservation in north america (mostly) and GB owned colonies. Very informative, with a blend of historical and modern conservation efforts.
March 26, 2021
I really enjoyed this book, it covers a lot of the (mostly) western history of conservation. Even working in ecology/biology/conservation there was a lot I did not know. I wish it was longer (the size of the book is misleading as the last 70 pages are all notes and sourced) and more in depth, but I suppose it is difficult to cover an entire history. I particularly thought it was important that the author did not gloss over the problematic ideas of many early conservationists. If we are going to move forward and make conservation more inclusive we need to reckon with the problematic beliefs of the (mostly) men who founded the discipline. The only slight negative is that I thought the last two or so chapters were a bit all over the place and jumped around too quickly.
April 2, 2022
“Boundaries have been useful to conservation—and will continue to be. But the lesson of ecology, much like that of Aesop’s fables, is that human relationships with the rest of life are both inescapable and inescapably complex. The great challenge of conservation is to sustain complexity, in its many forms, and by doing so protect the possibility of a future for all life on earth. And for that, there are no panaceas.�
April 8, 2023
"Beloved Beasts" is a pretty darn exhaustive book on the evolution of the conservation movement - or, really, the evolution of conservation movements. It's a very readable and accessible book that divides the above-mentioned history into individual chapters based around crucial developments to the general movement. Each chapters illustrate the evolution by telling a story focused on an individual, a specific movement, or a case study.
Central to the very idea of the book, of course, is the case the author makes for conservation itself. She does a great job of pounding this home while, at the same time, approaching the topic in different ways. In addition to the burning need at the heart, she touches on everything from the early history of the movement, motivations then and now, good practices and bad, caveats and concerns, sustainability and what that means, different socioeconomic burdens and gains, etc.
It's a very solid book.
And yet, without being able to determine the exact reason, I found myself tuning out often while reading - to the point of resorting to finish it in audiobook form, or I wouldn't have finished it at all. Again, I can't really say why this was. There's nothing wrong with the structure, the writing is fine, the topic inherently interesting... Sure, it probably could have been a tad shorter, cutting some fat off each chapter, maybe it could have been less narrative-driven, and I was fairly familiar with the topics and arguments within... But these are not generally things that hold me back or take away from my reading experience.
So while I don't really know what, something clearly made this a tougher read than it should have been for me, so I can't really give it more than three stars - even though I also kinda feel like I should have liked it more.
Central to the very idea of the book, of course, is the case the author makes for conservation itself. She does a great job of pounding this home while, at the same time, approaching the topic in different ways. In addition to the burning need at the heart, she touches on everything from the early history of the movement, motivations then and now, good practices and bad, caveats and concerns, sustainability and what that means, different socioeconomic burdens and gains, etc.
It's a very solid book.
And yet, without being able to determine the exact reason, I found myself tuning out often while reading - to the point of resorting to finish it in audiobook form, or I wouldn't have finished it at all. Again, I can't really say why this was. There's nothing wrong with the structure, the writing is fine, the topic inherently interesting... Sure, it probably could have been a tad shorter, cutting some fat off each chapter, maybe it could have been less narrative-driven, and I was fairly familiar with the topics and arguments within... But these are not generally things that hold me back or take away from my reading experience.
So while I don't really know what, something clearly made this a tougher read than it should have been for me, so I can't really give it more than three stars - even though I also kinda feel like I should have liked it more.
March 20, 2021
A lovely and yet sad book. At the bottom of all this is the sad fact that our species sees itself on the outside of the natural world, somehow better or more valuable than other species that share this planet with us, and all our conservation efforts are attempts to save species while we fail to see that everything is connected, that we should living within the nature that gave us life, in mutualism with all other species on earth.
November 29, 2024
Very educational. Kind of a little all over the place but was still good.
May 27, 2021
Excellent and engaging book on conservation history. Even as a biology major in college and enthusiast now, I have barely heard of these people or their plights, and never in such rich contextual background. While the chapters roughly focus on different people and their contributions, the connections between them all are evident and the book reads as a cultural chronology as well, detailing the underpinning mindsets of conservation efforts. Really appreciate how Nijhuis never failed to integrate the presence of machismo, racist, sexist, or colonialist attitudes that went into the wildlife conservation movement.
I only wish there were about five more chapters (a sequel perhaps?) chronicling the current examples of societies and groups that have bucked the "tragedy of the commons", as I still remember learning about that 20 years ago and haven't really heard it addressed in any way that didn't support the depressing notion. Inspiring. Would highly recommend for any interested in the topic or to lovers of Between Man & Beast, The Story of the Dinosaurs in 25 Discoveries, or the Lost City of Z.
I only wish there were about five more chapters (a sequel perhaps?) chronicling the current examples of societies and groups that have bucked the "tragedy of the commons", as I still remember learning about that 20 years ago and haven't really heard it addressed in any way that didn't support the depressing notion. Inspiring. Would highly recommend for any interested in the topic or to lovers of Between Man & Beast, The Story of the Dinosaurs in 25 Discoveries, or the Lost City of Z.
April 13, 2021
BELOVED BEASTS is an excellent new book about the history of modern wildlife conservation. This is the book I wish I had read years ago! If you want to learn about the relationships between conservation biology, environmentalism, the animal rights movement, hunting, and other related disciplines, this is the book for you. And what about connections to women’s suffrage, Indigenous rights, and sustainable development? Or colonialism, racism, and eugenics? All that is here, too.
Nijhuis packs a lot in this book, so some topics get more attention than others, but she still manages to treat them with considerable nuance. If you know some conservation history there will be a lot of familiar characters and topics here, but it’s worthwhile reading anyway to get a better understanding of how they are all woven together. There is a focus on terrestrial wildlife and on North American wildlife management, but there are discussions of international conservation movements and some good examples from Africa as well.
What I think may be the most valuable part of this book is where Nijhuis considers well-known frameworks and concepts in conservation—from the Tragedy of the Commons to trophy hunting, protected areas, and endangered species management—and asks whether they are useful to carry forward into the next generation of conservation. An important question, indeed.
Nijhuis packs a lot in this book, so some topics get more attention than others, but she still manages to treat them with considerable nuance. If you know some conservation history there will be a lot of familiar characters and topics here, but it’s worthwhile reading anyway to get a better understanding of how they are all woven together. There is a focus on terrestrial wildlife and on North American wildlife management, but there are discussions of international conservation movements and some good examples from Africa as well.
What I think may be the most valuable part of this book is where Nijhuis considers well-known frameworks and concepts in conservation—from the Tragedy of the Commons to trophy hunting, protected areas, and endangered species management—and asks whether they are useful to carry forward into the next generation of conservation. An important question, indeed.
April 24, 2021
In the times of environmental decline, global warming, and zoonotic pandemic, it is easy to despair. Now more than ever we need some good news and a bit of optimism. And here comes to the rescue this book.
Michelle Nijhuis recalls many of the most famous success stories in the history of conservation. It is heartwarming to read that despite experiences of similar feelings of despair, our predecessors managed to change the world in positive ways. We still have bisons and whooping cranes, after all!
It is a very engaging and interesting read. I especially appreciate including stories of brave and stubborn women, who challenged the status quo and made a difference.
The narrator’s voice in the audiobook version can at first appear as a little generic, but you stop noticing that after a few minutes, and her good diction is really important because of many Latin terms and names in the book.
Thanks to the publisher, Melville House Publishing, and NetGalley for the advance copy of this audiobook.
Michelle Nijhuis recalls many of the most famous success stories in the history of conservation. It is heartwarming to read that despite experiences of similar feelings of despair, our predecessors managed to change the world in positive ways. We still have bisons and whooping cranes, after all!
It is a very engaging and interesting read. I especially appreciate including stories of brave and stubborn women, who challenged the status quo and made a difference.
The narrator’s voice in the audiobook version can at first appear as a little generic, but you stop noticing that after a few minutes, and her good diction is really important because of many Latin terms and names in the book.
Thanks to the publisher, Melville House Publishing, and NetGalley for the advance copy of this audiobook.
January 29, 2021
I took my time reading this book because it is weighty, and dense, in the topic more so than prose. It is not a light or easy read, but it is important and fascinating. I found myself wanting to sit with and think about so many different situations from this book, especially as I saw local Nature groups arguing over the intersection of hunting and conservation, or the impact of environmental regulations on various communities. I definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of conservation, which should be everyone. Everyone should be interested in its future, and we cannot fully grasp how to handle the future without significant knowledge of the past. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
May 30, 2022
This was a great read! I was torn between giving this 4 and 5 stars. I felt it had a bit of a slower start, but I liked it more as I got into it and became more used to the author’s writing style (like another reviewer said). I liked how Nijhuis told a mix of both the positives of conservation and also the controversies of its past and some of the people involved. Overall, I learned a lot about the field and how it evolved over time, and I really enjoyed learning about key case studies and people in conservation. Talking about this with a book club made it even better! Would recommend if you want to learn more!
February 17, 2021
This is a must read for anyone concerned with nature, animal conservation and the world. A realistic and unvarnished history of the conservation heroes and groups and how to really make a difference.
April 26, 2021
I was initially really excited about this book, but found the significant lack in depth pertaining to the efforts of Indigenous people and the gloss over colonization, appalling.
August 21, 2023
3.75 stars. ‘Beloved Beasts� presents a thought-provoking exploration of the challenges faced by our earth’s extinct and vanishing animals. While I had hoped fr a more pronounced emphasis on the animals themselves, the book’s attention is largely on the individuals who advocated fr their conservation, and this occasionally overshadowed a deeper look at the histories of the “beloved beasts� I wanted to learn more about. Still, the book shines in its historical insights and its compelling call to protect our planet’s dwindling life forms. Likewise, Nijhuis masterfully underscores the urgency of comprehending and addressing the declining biodiversity caused by human interference.
A small section of the book’s focus I appreciated was on the darker facets of conservation, historically controlled by systemic forces such as racism, patriarchy, capitalism, and colonialism. As Nijhuis explains, throughout history, conservation initiatives have not only exhibited biases in the selection of species deemed worthy of protection but have also perpetuated unequal power dynamics between different ethnicities, communities, and regions. This aspect of the book was enlightening, shedding light on the uncomfortable truths that have shaped conservation agendas.
However, i’m saying that, I would’ve appreciated far more of a focus on the complex ethical questions raised by spotlighting these conservationists. It’s undeniable that these early conservationists were influenced by, as mentioned, racism, patriarchy, capitalism, and colonialism. These historical biases deeply tainted their actions and choices, whether it was advocating fr eugenics or supporting the displacement of Indigenous communities and violence done towards them in the name of it. While the book does acknowledge these issues, I feel that it also falls short in fully critiquing them at length, in ways I feel are needed when spotlighting the lives of historical white men and women. I believe that this would’ve provided us readers w a better and more balanced understanding of these conservationists� lives and work, allowing us to engage w the complexities and contradictions that shaped their endeavors.
In a different vein, as the destruction of numerous species persists and the consequences of climate change become increasingly evident, ‘Beloved Beasts� effectively portrays the evolution of conservation into a broader movement. Nijhuis discusses how it eventually transcended the notion of preserving charismatic animals and became a movement that highlighted the interconnectedness of all species, including humans. This shift in perspective acknowledges that our survival is intricately linked w the health of the ecosystems we inhabit and the biodiversity that keeps it running. Through ‘Beloved Beasts�, Nijhuis effectively illustrates how conservation evolved frm being primarily focused on safeguarding individual species to becoming a collective effort to preserve the delicate balance of life on this planet.
So, despite my unmet expectations and my misunderstandings of what the book’s content was largely going to be about, ‘Beloved Beasts� remains a valuable read for anyone concerned with the future of live on this earth, and of the history that preceded - and heralded - its destruction.
A small section of the book’s focus I appreciated was on the darker facets of conservation, historically controlled by systemic forces such as racism, patriarchy, capitalism, and colonialism. As Nijhuis explains, throughout history, conservation initiatives have not only exhibited biases in the selection of species deemed worthy of protection but have also perpetuated unequal power dynamics between different ethnicities, communities, and regions. This aspect of the book was enlightening, shedding light on the uncomfortable truths that have shaped conservation agendas.
However, i’m saying that, I would’ve appreciated far more of a focus on the complex ethical questions raised by spotlighting these conservationists. It’s undeniable that these early conservationists were influenced by, as mentioned, racism, patriarchy, capitalism, and colonialism. These historical biases deeply tainted their actions and choices, whether it was advocating fr eugenics or supporting the displacement of Indigenous communities and violence done towards them in the name of it. While the book does acknowledge these issues, I feel that it also falls short in fully critiquing them at length, in ways I feel are needed when spotlighting the lives of historical white men and women. I believe that this would’ve provided us readers w a better and more balanced understanding of these conservationists� lives and work, allowing us to engage w the complexities and contradictions that shaped their endeavors.
In a different vein, as the destruction of numerous species persists and the consequences of climate change become increasingly evident, ‘Beloved Beasts� effectively portrays the evolution of conservation into a broader movement. Nijhuis discusses how it eventually transcended the notion of preserving charismatic animals and became a movement that highlighted the interconnectedness of all species, including humans. This shift in perspective acknowledges that our survival is intricately linked w the health of the ecosystems we inhabit and the biodiversity that keeps it running. Through ‘Beloved Beasts�, Nijhuis effectively illustrates how conservation evolved frm being primarily focused on safeguarding individual species to becoming a collective effort to preserve the delicate balance of life on this planet.
So, despite my unmet expectations and my misunderstandings of what the book’s content was largely going to be about, ‘Beloved Beasts� remains a valuable read for anyone concerned with the future of live on this earth, and of the history that preceded - and heralded - its destruction.
Read
December 5, 2022Shame on me: I didn't read the subtitle of this text. I anticipated reading something that focused more on the "beasts" and less on the history of policies, regulations and laws and the characters associated with environmentalism, conservationism, naturalism, and all the other -isms that are related to the movements of saving animals from extinction and/or bringing animals back from extinction.
There was nothing wrong with Beloved Beasts: Fighting for Life in an Age of Extinction by Michelle Nijhuis. I just had hoped to read something different. However, if you're interested in the history of conservation and all of its complexities (and that's my big takeaway: the issue of conservation is much more complex than I realized).
My only complaint is that, like other nonfiction texts I've listened to this year, this text mentions inaccuracies about Covid-19. Let's just not, yeah? Because there was absolutely NO reason to go there.
If you're interested in conservationism, environmentalism, extinction and the work associated with bringing certain animals back from extinction and the historical figures associated with the aforementioned "-isms", then this could be the book for you!
[Audiobook, Scribd]
There was nothing wrong with Beloved Beasts: Fighting for Life in an Age of Extinction by Michelle Nijhuis. I just had hoped to read something different. However, if you're interested in the history of conservation and all of its complexities (and that's my big takeaway: the issue of conservation is much more complex than I realized).
My only complaint is that, like other nonfiction texts I've listened to this year, this text mentions inaccuracies about Covid-19. Let's just not, yeah? Because there was absolutely NO reason to go there.
If you're interested in conservationism, environmentalism, extinction and the work associated with bringing certain animals back from extinction and the historical figures associated with the aforementioned "-isms", then this could be the book for you!
[Audiobook, Scribd]
March 10, 2021
This is such a lovely book. Full disclosure: I'm friends with Michelle. She's also an incredibly gifted storyteller who manages to weave together multiple histories about the birth of the conservation movement, from Montana to New York to Namibia, with rich details about the historical figures who were sometimes maddeningly and deeply flawed, but ultimately inspiring. Despite the intensely felt reporting of all that we've lost, this is a very hopeful book, and the prose is often breathtaking. One story flows into and builds upon another, creating a moving portrait of the bison and hawks and wolves and rhinos and frogs and other animals that we pushed to the brink, along with the landscapes they inhabited. Not all of them made it. But given our "inescapable and inescapably complex" relationships with the rest of nature, the book makes a powerful argument for the necessity of continuing to do what we can to preserve life in all of its complex, messy, and interconnected forms, for the betterment of all. This is book that will stay with you - a beautiful and moving chronicle of life and death and an inspiring call for change.
September 3, 2021
What a piece of work we are. This line in the book really stuck out to me, as did so many others. I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this book and it was a very engaging, eye-opening account of the history of conservation and some of the most prominent figures in it such as Aldo Leopold, Julian Huxley, Rosalie Edge and many others. You will read of the creation of the Audubon Association, World Wildlife Fund, IUCN and many other groups. Conservation and nature in general has interested me since I was a child and this book was the perfect account of what it can really be like for the people who work in that field and how our mindsets towards conservation has developed and changed over time and how in some ways, it hasn't. The most fascinating parts of the book to me were the chapters on Namibia and the black rhino, the bison and William Hornaday and the sections on hunting and trophy hunting. All of it was excellent however, and I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the topic.
March 10, 2022
"We are neither trapped in inexorable tragedies, nor free of moral responsibility"- Elinor Ostrom.
Wow this book, it was a history of some of the thinking and action of the conservation movements, and it was well curated/edited and dense. But the author choses her subject well in that she gives us clear specific and well described environmental advocates and scholars as subjects and touchstones to talk about places in which progress of the modern environmental movement has made/is making. I am putting a lot of slashes in this because it is clear that activism works in relationship to each others work and in tandem, and that most importantly ecology and the work around it is complex and interconnected. And anything else I would say will be better put by the author. Or in short READ THIS BOOK. It will give you a sense that work in being done by many committed individuals and that you should try and contribute where you can. And that conservationists and their thinking is not unflawed (the dabbling in eugenics being only the beginning to the bias pointed out in this book), but that tried practices can be found despite the enormity of the problem. But I put the quote at the top because it struck me as a most important takeaway from reading this, that learning more should spur doing better, rather than allowing and fostering Nihilism and paralysis.
Wow this book, it was a history of some of the thinking and action of the conservation movements, and it was well curated/edited and dense. But the author choses her subject well in that she gives us clear specific and well described environmental advocates and scholars as subjects and touchstones to talk about places in which progress of the modern environmental movement has made/is making. I am putting a lot of slashes in this because it is clear that activism works in relationship to each others work and in tandem, and that most importantly ecology and the work around it is complex and interconnected. And anything else I would say will be better put by the author. Or in short READ THIS BOOK. It will give you a sense that work in being done by many committed individuals and that you should try and contribute where you can. And that conservationists and their thinking is not unflawed (the dabbling in eugenics being only the beginning to the bias pointed out in this book), but that tried practices can be found despite the enormity of the problem. But I put the quote at the top because it struck me as a most important takeaway from reading this, that learning more should spur doing better, rather than allowing and fostering Nihilism and paralysis.
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August 13, 2021The author wove an engaging narrative out of the work of often inspiring but always complex and human historical figures. Learning the history helped me more clearly organize disparate concepts relating to conservation together in my head. I also learned many new things, not the least of which was how many memorable accomplishments have someone named Huxley involved. Despite the Great Woman/Man/Huxley approach to history that organizes the book (and helps make it an engaging read), I’m glad the importance of conservation as a collaborative work was also emphasized.
I experienced the book, grappled with its lessons collaboratively with a group of thoughtful people. Reading this with a book group is an experience I would recommend. For me the book was made even better by, as with fish in a stream, mutualism between different critters (in this case young scientists).
I experienced the book, grappled with its lessons collaboratively with a group of thoughtful people. Reading this with a book group is an experience I would recommend. For me the book was made even better by, as with fish in a stream, mutualism between different critters (in this case young scientists).
December 22, 2023
This book was mainly about the American conservation movement, spanning from the late 19th century to today. The last two chapters expanded to a more global history of conservation. Each chapter formed a narrative around one particular person who was important to the movement in their time. I thought the narrative for each was well written and engaging, and I certainly learned a lot. However, virtually every single one of the main people whose narrative is framed is European or European-American, except for the last chapter. I believe that if you are to truly talk about the history of the American conservation movement, than Native American conservation leaders must be included in the narrative. In this book, they are acknowledged somewhat, but not one is given their narrative chapter that the white conservationists get. This factor soured a big aspect of the book for me, as it was glaringly clear that a large part of the history was missing.
March 13, 2023
This book gives a very well informed and easy to digest history of the conservation movements in the US. The way it is written, focussing on the personal stories of key players of each time, gives a very wholesome idea of what were the intrinsic motivations and challenges of each time to get the conservation efforts moving.
I think it is very important to note that this book is praised and presented as a history of the movement, while it should be explicitly said that it is about the conservation movement in the United States. I was expecting a global view of this matter and kept reading hoping that the next chapter would be about another place, even if it was Europe, but that wasn't the case. The only few mentions of worldwide efforts are reduced to the last 30 pages. Even so, it is a very nice read to try to understand how the priorities in nature conservation have evolved through time.
I think it is very important to note that this book is praised and presented as a history of the movement, while it should be explicitly said that it is about the conservation movement in the United States. I was expecting a global view of this matter and kept reading hoping that the next chapter would be about another place, even if it was Europe, but that wasn't the case. The only few mentions of worldwide efforts are reduced to the last 30 pages. Even so, it is a very nice read to try to understand how the priorities in nature conservation have evolved through time.
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