Rating: 
Summary: Kevin's Review
Review: "Appointment at the Ends of the World," written by William B. Karesh, was published by Warner Books in 1999 with 376 pages. Karesh is a wildlife veterinarian who works with wild animals in exotic places around the world, ranging from saving the life of a wounded okapi in Zaire to collecting DNA samples from orangutans in Borneo. He is the founding director of the Wildlife Conservation Society's (WCS) Field Veterinary Program. In this book, Karesh shares his most memorable experiences, some of which were life threatening. Karesh wants to show the reader how much work is put into saving threatened species by the dedicated people committed to help these wild animals. This is a book for anybody interested in the state of our global wildlife. Karesh studies wild animals to see how to protect them from being wiped out. This is essential for the ecological balance on the earth. His specialty is determining the health of wildlife populations and the safe handling of wild animals. A small part of his time is spent helping fund-raising activities to financially support the projects he needs to do, whether its speaking to selected groups or by helping to write grant proposals. The research done on the field is to learn as much as possible about the species and our interactions with them to help plan for the future. What Karesh normally does on the field is try to dart the animal to temporarily knock it out so he can take a blood sample from the animal. He studies the blood sample to check the general health of the animal, and after many samples, he can come up with the general health of the species in that area. Karesh travels the world to study different animals in all types in environments. The experiences he shares take place in the 1990s. One of the places Karesh visited is Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). Here, Karesh provided emergency surgery to a badly injured okapi in a captive breeding facility. In Zaire, he had to fight off the...customs officials at a tiny airport that tried to take away his equipment like his dart gun. Much of his energy, he says, is spent simply getting in and out of each country. "I can spend a week going through an unbelievable amount of hassle to spend 30 minutes working on an animal." On the same trip, he took blood samples from enraged buffalo using his dart gun. He also visited Bolivia, South America. Deep in the Amazon rain forest, Karesh and a small team penned and darted the rare and dangerous white-lipped peccary, a distant pig relative whose habit of travelling huge distances make them nearly impossible to locate. Here, Karesh has an encounter with a jaguar that stalked him. Another experience Karesh shares in the book took place in Cameroon, Africa. Here, Karesh had to get drunk with the local tribesmen before setting out to find the elusive forest elephant to put radio collars on them and track their movements by satellite. In this process, he almost got stomped by an elephant. Karesh spent weeks at a remote ranger station in Peru studying macaws a hundred feet above the jungle canopy. He also studied fur seals' health and habitat in one of Peru's seacoasts. Finally he visited Borneo, where he used an amazing new dart gun to collect DNA samples from orangutans' skin without drugging them. This book showed me how much time and effort is spent by people like Karesh to protect threatened species. I saw how they risk their lives and give up basic luxuries that people in America take for granted since most of the places they visit are in isolated areas in under-developed countries. I had never heard of many of the animals he talks about in the book. For example, I never knew there were such things as peccaries and okapis before reading this book, let alone they were in danger. Also, I learned from the book why people like Karesh do the work they do on the field. By radio-collaring the elephants, they were able to track the elephants to learn how much space they need to live so WCS knows how much land needs to be protected in Cameroon for the elephants. Karesh doesn't just focus on animals the entire story. He also shares what it's like living in the countries he visited such as explaining the political turmoil that went on in Zaire. Karesh explains to the reader what ecotourism is and how it affects the animals. Many countries support ecotourism because it provides money to help animals, but it can also have negative effects on the animals, especially when resorts are built in the same area. I would recommend this book to anybody who wants to learn more about animals and the conservation of our planet, or enjoys books with a lot of adventure. This book is part travelogue, part conservation primer, and all-adventure thriller. I found some very interesting facts about wild animals I never knew before. For example, I learned that orangutans are so intelligent, they can pick locks on their cages. The book shows the reader what it's like to live in some of the most remote places on the Earth. This book isn't just educational; it's also adventurous and humorous. He describes the times when he was eye to eye with a jaguar and almost got trampled by an elephant. His vivid descriptions make it feel like the reader is actually there. I found the encounter with the customs in Zaire very funny. During that experience, the "officials" tried to make up every single kind of fee to be able to get as much money and confiscate as much equipment as they can. For example, one man charged Karesh $10 just for using white-out to update is home address on a certificate. Just like there were high points, there were low points to the book with explanations I found a bit too long, but overall, I think this is a great book to read.
Rating: 
Summary: An excellant book on WILD LIFE
Review: "APPOINTMENT" is the best book of the century, I did not want to put it down. Not only did I find this book educational, but amusing as well. DR. Karesh explains to you in his book what he is doing and why? he also gives you a little bit of history of the country he is in. I found this book so facinating that I met with DR. Karesh in his office at the BRONX ZOO.DR. Karesh is a fine writer, and hope to see another book of his travels in the wild.I take my hat off to you,you are a caring individual who cares about the WILD LIFE and wants to keep it from going EXTENT. RAY Raimist
Rating:
Summary: An engaging memoir by a committed conservationist.
Review: "Appointment..." is a very pleasurable read. The writing is straightforward, not splashy, and entirely engaging. Karesh has provided a look at his unique role in the conservation community and placed it within the context of larger goals. He offers clear understanding of the vast pressures on the environments of threatened and endangered species all around the southern hemisphere, an understanding look at the people who live there, and a glimpse at the dedicated biologists who have made work with wildlife their lives' focus. Karesh includes very interesting "sidebars" to provide a little more information about some of his topics. These are very nice additions to the text. The many photos (black & white interspersed throughout the text with nice line drawings and a color section in the center) enrich the experience. The photos are not "professional" and their immediacy and sometimes casual quality increase the connection between the reader and the experience, I believe. Karesh comes across as unassuming, kind, and extraordinarily competent, and with a generous sense of humor. He does not take his work lightly, though. Travelling continually, his skills and experience as a veterinarian are helping provide data critical to the understanding of the health and management needs of indigenous populations of animals and their ecosystems. At the same time he is helping to establish a level of competence in the local scientific communities to sustain the research and to support successful conservation strategies. Karesh does not paint a pretty picture of the status of wildlife, but he does offer an optimistic forecast if each of us accepts the challenge to make a difference. I highly recommend "Appointment..." to those who enjoy stories of wildlife "up-close," who are interested in wildlife research trends and challenges, who enjoy outdoor adventure with a practical bent, who wanted as kids to be veterinarians (and really still do), who welcome subtle inspiration, and who want to get to know someone who seems like a really nice guy.
Rating:
Summary: By far, my favorite book!
Review: As an aspiring wildlife veterinarian myself, this book was a truly inspirational work. Karesh's sense of humor comes through at its best, keeping the tone extremely interesting and constantly flowing. Unlike similar books, Karesh does not bog us down with the "gloom and doom" encountered in his accounts, but he makes a point of it being there. His detailed accounts are very educational and entertaining, although at times technical. However, he sometimes leaves large gaps in the story line... perhaps done on purpose as a way to show the system and conditions under which he has worked and what he has done for the animals. Some friends have actually been disappointed with this book, thinking that it would be much like James Herriot's cute and romantic veterinary stories. While Karesh's line of work is romantic, his prose is not, and his accounts are quite graphic- such as the okapi with its head infested with maggots that looked like cigarette butts. While this book lacks in furry, cutesy cuddliness, it is superbly complimented with humor, smart sarcasm and extreme respect towards wildlife conservation efforts.
Rating:
Summary: Appointment at the Ends of the World is a worthy read
Review: Dr. Karesh introduces us to vanishing animals, so rare & unprotected it breaks your heart & to the remarkable caregivers he meets on his assignments; from dedicated conservationists to villagers who believe their wise elders transform themselves into elephants. Find out just how romantic it really is to be on safari in the bush; be swamped by macaws who want to watch you bathe & embrace orangutans who can pick the locks of their cages faster than you can say, abracadabra! William Karesh, D.V.M., developed & heads the International Field Veterinary Program for the Wildlife Conservation Society. This one-of-kind program provides veterinary services all over the world for wildlife conservation projects. Dr. Karesh, a recognized international authority, has authored more than 75 scientific articles on wildlife health. The Wildlife Conservation Society was founded in 1895 as the New York Zoological Society. WCS manages 4 zoos & an aquarium in New York City. It supports over 300 conservation projects in over 50 countries around the world. A worthy, no frills, read. This Doc realizes he can speak for the voiceless animals of our world. Appointment at the Ends of the World is for anyone remotely interested in the state of our global wildlife, in emergency & research veterinarian medicine in general & in rare & wonderful animals in particular. I do recommend it! For my full review do check out: [my website]
Rating:
Summary: Appointment at the Ends of the World is a worthy read
Review: Dr. Karesh introduces us to vanishing animals, so rare & unprotected it breaks your heart & to the remarkable caregivers he meets on his assignments; from dedicated conservationists to villagers who believe their wise elders transform themselves into elephants. Find out just how romantic it really is to be on safari in the bush; be swamped by macaws who want to watch you bathe & embrace orangutans who can pick the locks of their cages faster than you can say, abracadabra! William Karesh, D.V.M., developed & heads the International Field Veterinary Program for the Wildlife Conservation Society. This one-of-kind program provides veterinary services all over the world for wildlife conservation projects. Dr. Karesh, a recognized international authority, has authored more than 75 scientific articles on wildlife health. The Wildlife Conservation Society was founded in 1895 as the New York Zoological Society. WCS manages 4 zoos & an aquarium in New York City. It supports over 300 conservation projects in over 50 countries around the world. A worthy, no frills, read. This Doc realizes he can speak for the voiceless animals of our world. Appointment at the Ends of the World is for anyone remotely interested in the state of our global wildlife, in emergency & research veterinarian medicine in general & in rare & wonderful animals in particular. I do recommend it! For my full review do check out: [my website]
Rating:
Summary: Concerned about Wildlife
Review: I have always been interested in animals and always watch all the PBS staations regarding "WILD LIFE" Reading Appointment was a exciting, and Idid not want to put the book asaide Dr. Karesh explains what he is doing in the remote parts of the world and WHY? He also gives a little history of the part of the world he is in, along with an explanation pretaining to the wild animals he is tracking He encounters many obsticials in order to accomplish his tasks.I was so impressed with his book that I met with DR. KARESH AT HIS HEADQUARTERS AT THE BRONX ZOO. i hope that another book of his accomplishments and travels with the wild life he encounters is written soon I take my hat off to you ,as a caring person , who cares what happens to the wild animals of this world. May all your future travels into the remote parts of the world be safe, and prospurous. Ray RAimist
Rating:
Summary: I'd love to read it again
Review: I read this book when it first came out three years ago, and I still think about it. His stories about the wonderful animals around the world touched my heart and I would highly reccomend this book if you enjoy reading about animals.
Rating: 
Summary: An insider's view on working with wildlife
Review: I thought that writing "Appointment at the Ends of the World" would be safer than the work it's based on. Much of the book, however, was drafted while lying in a pup tent in some strange part of the world with elephants tearing down tree limbs twenty yards away or jaguars wandering by on their nightly hunting forays. Also, I thought that writing about working with wildlife would be easier than working with wildlife. I was wrong about that too. Much of the year finds me in the most remote areas of the Amazon, deep into Borneo, the forests of central and west Africa, the high mountain lakes of the Andes, and the endless rocky shores of Patagonia. One month I'm in the jungle with pygmies trying to track down okapi or forest elephants to attach radio collars. A month later I may be crossing frigid south Atlantic waters in a little Zodiac to help the Argentinean government establish health monitoring programs for over 400,000 penguins. And the following month I could be in Indonesia working with orangutans rescued from the illegal pet trade or teaching locals how to safely catch crocodiles that have been eating people. Of course, the book includes stories about being charged by elephants and chased by buffalo. But for me, the adventure tales are not nearly as important as providing you with a behind-the-scenes look at the world of conservation. Some parts are disappointing, while others are impressive. I'm delighted to be able to tell you about the people I work with. They have sacrificed the comforts of life and dedicated themselves to making the world a better place. Together, these individuals form a network of my friends, companions, and comrades spread over the planet -- my family. This book has allowed me to proudly share the stories of these people, their work, and the rare animals and habitats we are fighting to save. I hope you find the stories to have depth, breadth, and a touch of unpredictability. "Do you care more about animals than people?" I'm asked frequently. There's no reason to differentiate. It's all about people and it's all about animals. What we do for the earth helps everyone. For example, we say that saving a forest is good for the trees and the animals, or even the earth's future climate. But the forest also has direct benefits for people. It's a much cheaper way to ensure good, healthy drinking water than building a water treatment facility. The forests supply meat, fish, and plants for local communities. Making people believe that they have to choose between helping the environment or helping humans is misleading. Working together, we can refuse to participate in that word play and focus on helping the planet that we all share.
Rating: 
Summary: Just Plain Bad
Review: I'm a huge supporter and reader of animal books, especially those with veterinarian authors. When I first saw this book at the library, I thought, "Wow, a new twist on and old idea... a WILDLIFE veterinarian." However, it wasn't far into the book I got sick of hearing about irrelevant, uninteresting happenings. The author is cocky and self-absorbed. His attempts at humor and general likeability are pathetic and easy to see through. I'm a hardy reader and will usually force myself to finish off even the most boring of books, but it was about halfway through I had to shut it for the last time. I actually got angry while reading it because it was THAT bad!
|
