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Editorial Reviews
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As a young woman, Jane Goodall was best known for her groundbreaking
fieldwork with the chimpanzees of Gombe, Africa. Goodall's work has always
been controversial, mostly because she broke the mold of research scientist
by developing meaningful relationships with her "specimens" and honoring
their lives as she would other humans. Now at the age of 60, she
continues to break the mold of scientist by revealing how her research
and worldwide conservation institutes spring from her childhood callings
and adult spiritual convictions. Reason for Hope is a smoothly written
memoir that does not shy away from facing the realities of environmental
destruction, animal abuse, and genocide. But Goodall shares her antidote
to the poison of despair with specific examples of why she has not lost
faith. For instance, she shares her spiritual epiphany during a visit to
Auschwitz; her bravery in the face of chimpanzee imprisonment in medical
laboratories; and devotes a whole chapter to individuals, corporations,
and countries that are doing the right thing. But most of all Goodall provides
a beautifully written plea for why everyone can and must find a reason
for hope. --Gail Hudson |