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kevin_shepherd's review against another edition
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
The natural (and unnatural) history of the Galapagos Archipelago recounted through a timeline of giant tortoise mistreatment, exploitation, and (eventual) husbandry. Elizabeth Hennessy shatters the image of the “pristine islands,” as portrayed in some nature documentaries and travel brochures, and writes frankly, and often upsettingly, about the past, present, and possible future of the archipelago. Galapagos is far from the <i>Evolutionary Eden</i> many of us imagine it to be but it may be the closest thing to it left on earth.
On a personal note, my volunteerism in wildlife rehabilitation sometimes brings me in contact with “exotic” animals seized by law enforcement officials in the course of their duties. You’d be surprised how often a raid on a meth lab turns up a surprise alligator in the bathtub! In the summer of 2021 a case of “animal hoarding” near Norman, Oklahoma resulted in the seizure and relocation of over 360 exotic animals (camels, kangaroos, fruit bats, ostriches, fennec foxes, etc.). As a result I had the pleasurable opportunity of spending several months caring for five enormous Aldabra tortoises. Theses gentle giants (each weighing between 300 and 500 lbs) grazed the grasses of our multi-acre facility under the watchful eyes of our veterinary staff while we monitored their health and awaited their eventual relocation to reputable zoos and sanctuaries. For weeks I bought collard greens and mustard greens and turnip greens so I could spend time offering healthy treats to these lovable behemoths. My time with these guys was almost spiritual. They ate from my hands (I was careful to watch my fingers) while I sat on the grass surrounded by awesome tortoise-ness. I reflected heavily on this experience as I read this book. Every time Hennessy recounted a particular instance of cruelty to a tortoise it pained me, occasionally to tears. For those of you who, like me, have a place in your heart reserved for animals this is going to be a tough read. But, I think it’s also an important read—one that increases awareness, ends with optimistic possibilities, and (hopefully) inspires us all to activism.
On a personal note, my volunteerism in wildlife rehabilitation sometimes brings me in contact with “exotic” animals seized by law enforcement officials in the course of their duties. You’d be surprised how often a raid on a meth lab turns up a surprise alligator in the bathtub! In the summer of 2021 a case of “animal hoarding” near Norman, Oklahoma resulted in the seizure and relocation of over 360 exotic animals (camels, kangaroos, fruit bats, ostriches, fennec foxes, etc.). As a result I had the pleasurable opportunity of spending several months caring for five enormous Aldabra tortoises. Theses gentle giants (each weighing between 300 and 500 lbs) grazed the grasses of our multi-acre facility under the watchful eyes of our veterinary staff while we monitored their health and awaited their eventual relocation to reputable zoos and sanctuaries. For weeks I bought collard greens and mustard greens and turnip greens so I could spend time offering healthy treats to these lovable behemoths. My time with these guys was almost spiritual. They ate from my hands (I was careful to watch my fingers) while I sat on the grass surrounded by awesome tortoise-ness. I reflected heavily on this experience as I read this book. Every time Hennessy recounted a particular instance of cruelty to a tortoise it pained me, occasionally to tears. For those of you who, like me, have a place in your heart reserved for animals this is going to be a tough read. But, I think it’s also an important read—one that increases awareness, ends with optimistic possibilities, and (hopefully) inspires us all to activism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty
tanya_b's review against another edition
3.0
I was expecting to love this book. I agree with most of its major points: conservation is often a colonial force, must involve humans/local communities for success, and cannot have a goal of returning to a "pristine state". Invasive species removal and other conservation activities have ethical implications and societal impacts. Conservation work would benefit from greater input from social scientists.
However. While Hennessy makes all of those points well, and makes many valid criticisms of conservationists' activities in the Galapagos, there seems to be an excusing of colonists' views and activities as normal, natural, and pointless to oppose or try to change. And while I agree that conservationists have made mistakes, they have been doing so within a larger context: we are seeing the constant degradation of ecological systems globally. While I agree that the idea of restoring an "evolutionary Eden" is silly, species and ecosystems have value beyond their economic utility, even if our only goal is for the human species to survive and thrive. We will not do so on a world populated primarily by us, Kudzu, and rats, residents of the Galapagos included.
I appreciated the social & ecological history of the islands provided in this book, but I was hoping to find clearer ideas for a path forward.
However. While Hennessy makes all of those points well, and makes many valid criticisms of conservationists' activities in the Galapagos, there seems to be an excusing of colonists' views and activities as normal, natural, and pointless to oppose or try to change. And while I agree that conservationists have made mistakes, they have been doing so within a larger context: we are seeing the constant degradation of ecological systems globally. While I agree that the idea of restoring an "evolutionary Eden" is silly, species and ecosystems have value beyond their economic utility, even if our only goal is for the human species to survive and thrive. We will not do so on a world populated primarily by us, Kudzu, and rats, residents of the Galapagos included.
I appreciated the social & ecological history of the islands provided in this book, but I was hoping to find clearer ideas for a path forward.
nothingforpomegranted's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
This well-researched book opens with a parable that claims that the world stands on “turtles all the way down,” a conception of the ever-increasing depth and complexity of our understanding of how the world works that finds a parallel in Hennessy’s exploration of conversation in the Galapagos. Indeed, Hennessy emphasizes the countless contradictions and overlapping impulses of those drawn to the Galapagos and, specifically, to the tortoises that live there. Hennessy’s narration begins not with Darwin’s evolution epiphany, but with earlier tortoise hunters and explorers in the 1530s.
I was expecting this to be a bit more historical and certainly more about Darwin’s experience in the Galapagos. Rather, the storytelling was a bit spiraled and repetitive, reviewing the ways that conversation approaches have shifted and the reality that conservation has never been (and still is not) the only motivation for people who live in and love the Galapagos.
My favorite chapter included Hennessy’s interactions with and descriptions of Galapagos residents and the modern-day tensions between fishers and laboratory conservationists. In contrast to the repeated claims about different approaches to conversation (as natural laboratory, evolutionary Eden, or restorative project), which felt a bit esoteric to me, this tension felt distinct and meaningful, and I resonated with the challenge of determining the relative values of human and non-human residents of the Galapagos.
I look forward to discussing with dad and adding some book club notes to my review:
I was expecting this to be a bit more historical and certainly more about Darwin’s experience in the Galapagos. Rather, the storytelling was a bit spiraled and repetitive, reviewing the ways that conversation approaches have shifted and the reality that conservation has never been (and still is not) the only motivation for people who live in and love the Galapagos.
My favorite chapter included Hennessy’s interactions with and descriptions of Galapagos residents and the modern-day tensions between fishers and laboratory conservationists. In contrast to the repeated claims about different approaches to conversation (as natural laboratory, evolutionary Eden, or restorative project), which felt a bit esoteric to me, this tension felt distinct and meaningful, and I resonated with the challenge of determining the relative values of human and non-human residents of the Galapagos.
I look forward to discussing with dad and adding some book club notes to my review:
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