suzannelf's review
4.0
I learned something new and weird about history from this book. Would recommend.
jessferg's review
3.0
I feel guilty calling this a "book" - it's more like a long article. Production aside, this is a very interesting story - maybe a mini-biography - about two men at odds who happen to end up on a committee to attempt to import African animals for American consumption.
The writing and organization are very good and there are all sorts of strange coincidences and little facts that may not relate directly to the hippo importation issues but are definitely fascinating.
The story itself is a bit of a let down - obviously we never started eating hippos in the US - but what a strange, and enjoyable, little bit of history.
The writing and organization are very good and there are all sorts of strange coincidences and little facts that may not relate directly to the hippo importation issues but are definitely fascinating.
The story itself is a bit of a let down - obviously we never started eating hippos in the US - but what a strange, and enjoyable, little bit of history.
norsulaulu's review
4.0
3.5
I definitely enjoyed reading this, though I will say that it isn't exactly what I was expecting. I had no idea up until recently that there was such an idea in America's past as the possibility of hippopotamus importation and consumption. But when I found out that there was (from reading [b:River of Teeth|31445891|River of Teeth (River of Teeth #1)|Sarah Gailey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1484234556s/31445891.jpg|52146842]) I was definitely interested in learning more.
This article wasn't nearly as much about hippo meat and the New Food Source Society as I had hoped it would be. This piece is rather more about the men behind the idea. And don't get me wrong – these guys are absolutely fascinating – but their stories weren't really what I had in mind. That said, I did enjoy learning about them and also a little segway into the preparedness movement, another part of American history I was unfamiliar with.
I thought that the piece was very well written and really feels more like an adventure story of sorts. Plus the author's use of the word "hippopotamuslessness" gave me a little chuckle.
I was slightly disappointed though that there weren't specific foot/endnotes regarding citations so that I could look more into what I was especially interested in, but rather all of the sources were clumped together. I am still planning to look more into other Atavist publications though to see what other odd stories I might stumble across.
I definitely enjoyed reading this, though I will say that it isn't exactly what I was expecting. I had no idea up until recently that there was such an idea in America's past as the possibility of hippopotamus importation and consumption. But when I found out that there was (from reading [b:River of Teeth|31445891|River of Teeth (River of Teeth #1)|Sarah Gailey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1484234556s/31445891.jpg|52146842]) I was definitely interested in learning more.
This article wasn't nearly as much about hippo meat and the New Food Source Society as I had hoped it would be. This piece is rather more about the men behind the idea. And don't get me wrong – these guys are absolutely fascinating – but their stories weren't really what I had in mind. That said, I did enjoy learning about them and also a little segway into the preparedness movement, another part of American history I was unfamiliar with.
I thought that the piece was very well written and really feels more like an adventure story of sorts. Plus the author's use of the word "hippopotamuslessness" gave me a little chuckle.
I was slightly disappointed though that there weren't specific foot/endnotes regarding citations so that I could look more into what I was especially interested in, but rather all of the sources were clumped together. I am still planning to look more into other Atavist publications though to see what other odd stories I might stumble across.
expendablemudge's review
Rating: 3.75* of five
The Atavist produces Kindle Singles, basically long magazine articles, on many fascinating, weird, and completely unexpected topics. I saw, and immediately bought, AMERICAN HIPPOPOTAMUS.
I mean, who wouldn't? My review lives at my blog to prevent its being deleted in case someone doesn't like something I said. Which has happened here on Goodreads since the Amazon butthurt brigade started being such jerks.
It's $2.99 well spent.
The Atavist produces Kindle Singles, basically long magazine articles, on many fascinating, weird, and completely unexpected topics. I saw, and immediately bought, AMERICAN HIPPOPOTAMUS.
I mean, who wouldn't? My review lives at my blog to prevent its being deleted in case someone doesn't like something I said. Which has happened here on Goodreads since the Amazon butthurt brigade started being such jerks.
It's $2.99 well spent.
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