Having always been fascinated by the long-term studies of chimpanzees and gorillas, I was delighted to find this memoir of Dr. Galdikas' years studying the orangutans. I knew little about orangutans, and found the descriptions of their behavior and environment compelling. She includes memories of her personal history as well, and I liked how she wove these together. It's also interesting to hear her impressions of such figures as Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Louis Leakey.
One last thing--before I read the book, I heard mentioned several times a shocking description of orangutan behavior towards the end, and I agree it was very difficult to read and to think about, but she contextualizes it in a helpful way.
One last thing--before I read the book, I heard mentioned several times a shocking description of orangutan behavior towards the end, and I agree it was very difficult to read and to think about, but she contextualizes it in a helpful way.
Andrew K. (kuligowskiandrewt) -
What Jane Goodall is to the chimpanzee and Dian Fossey was to the gorilla, Birute Galdikas is to the orangutan. I would venture to say a lot fewer people have heard of Dr. Galdikas than of the other two scientists, even though they were all sent off on their various studies by Dr. Louis Leakey and all work with great apes. However, orangutans are mostly solitary creatures who live their lives in the trees of Indonesia, rather than social land-based animals who lend themselves to photo opportunities. As Dr. Galdikas mentioned (paraphrased), "being able to observe an orangutan without it dropping branches on her (or attempting to uproot a dead tree to fall in her direction) was their sign of accepting her."
The book, "Reflections of Eden", is not so much a tale of orangutans as it is Dr. Galdikas' autobiography. Of course, considering how much of her life consisted of researching orangutans, and rescuing / rehabilitating captive ones, the book may just have well be about orangutans once the author made it to Indonesia, there was no separating the two.
In addition to the inspiring tale of her life, and of the orangutans of Borneo, the book has some particularly interesting glimpses into the lives of Dr. & Mrs. Louis Leakey, Jane Goodall, and the late Dian Fossey all of whom played an important role in Dr. Galdikas' life.
At 400+ pages, this is not one of those light, ghost-written autobiographies typical of celluloid, music, and sports stars. However, it is a great investment of time to read from beginning to end.
RATING: 5 stars..
The book, "Reflections of Eden", is not so much a tale of orangutans as it is Dr. Galdikas' autobiography. Of course, considering how much of her life consisted of researching orangutans, and rescuing / rehabilitating captive ones, the book may just have well be about orangutans once the author made it to Indonesia, there was no separating the two.
In addition to the inspiring tale of her life, and of the orangutans of Borneo, the book has some particularly interesting glimpses into the lives of Dr. & Mrs. Louis Leakey, Jane Goodall, and the late Dian Fossey all of whom played an important role in Dr. Galdikas' life.
At 400+ pages, this is not one of those light, ghost-written autobiographies typical of celluloid, music, and sports stars. However, it is a great investment of time to read from beginning to end.
RATING: 5 stars..
