Rating: 
Summary: A soul-searching book.
Review: "So here we are, the human ape, half sinner, half saint, with two
opposing tendencies inherited from our ancient past pulling us now
toward violence, now toward compassion and love," 65-year-old
Jane Goodall writes in her soul-searching memoir (p. 143). When faced
with a world of environmental destruction, human suffering,
overpopulation, over consumption, pollution, deforestation, poverty,
famine, cruelty, hatred, greed, violence, and war (pp. 230-31), she
observes "it is these undeniable qualities of human love and
compassion and self-sacrifice that give me hope for the future"
{p. 148).Goodall's journey through life has been an adventure.
"I have tried to write my story honestly," she says in her
book's introduction (p. xv). We meet Jane as a child dreaming
"about nature, animals, and the magic of far-off wild and remote
places" {p. 11}. Her parents divorced when she was twelve
{p. 17}, and it was on her trip to Africa at age 23 when her life was
forever changed upon meeting famed paleontologist/anthropologist, Louis
Leaky (p. 49). Jane then spent her twenties studying chimpanzees in
the solitude of Gombe before marrying National Geographic
photographer, Hugo van Lawick, in 1964 (pp. 83-84), and having a son
(affectionately nicknamed "Grub") in 1967. Reflecting upon
her divorce from van Lawick, Goodall writes, "I experienced, as
have many others, the bitterness of a close and joyful relationship
with a spouse slowly changing and souring, and the intense emotional
pain that this generates. And the sense of failure and guilt"
(p. 83). In approximately 1974, Jane married Derek Bryceson after the
two survived a plane crash, only to lose him to cancer roughly five
years later. Although insightful, Goodall is not a great writer; but
her prose is simple and easy to follow. In addition to studying
chimpanzees in Gombe, she has been studying us "human apes,"
and her findings deserve our attention. The message, really, of her
book is "a very simple one: Each one of us matters, has a role to
play, and makes a difference. Each one of us must take responsibility
for our own lives, and above all, show respect and love for living
things around us, especially each other. Together we must reestablish
our connections with the natural world and with the Spiritual Power
that is around us" (p. 267). G. Merritt
Rating:
Summary: A soul-searching book.
Review: "So here we are, the human ape, half sinner, half saint, with twoopposing tendencies inherited from our ancient past pulling us nowtoward violence, now toward compassion and love," 65-year-oldJane Goodall writes in her soul-searching memoir (p. 143). When facedwith a world of environmental destruction, human suffering,overpopulation, over consumption, pollution, deforestation, poverty,famine, cruelty, hatred, greed, violence, and war (pp. 230-31), sheobserves "it is these undeniable qualities of human love andcompassion and self-sacrifice that give me hope for the future"{p. 148).Goodall's journey through life has been an adventure."I have tried to write my story honestly," she says in herbook's introduction (p. xv). We meet Jane as a child dreaming"about nature, animals, and the magic of far-off wild and remoteplaces" {p. 11}. Her parents divorced when she was twelve{p. 17}, and it was on her trip to Africa at age 23 when her life wasforever changed upon meeting famed paleontologist/anthropologist, LouisLeaky (p. 49). Jane then spent her twenties studying chimpanzees inthe solitude of Gombe before marrying National Geographicphotographer, Hugo van Lawick, in 1964 (pp. 83-84), and having a son(affectionately nicknamed "Grub") in 1967. Reflecting uponher divorce from van Lawick, Goodall writes, "I experienced, ashave many others, the bitterness of a close and joyful relationshipwith a spouse slowly changing and souring, and the intense emotionalpain that this generates. And the sense of failure and guilt"(p. 83). In approximately 1974, Jane married Derek Bryceson after thetwo survived a plane crash, only to lose him to cancer roughly fiveyears later.Although insightful, Goodall is not a great writer; buther prose is simple and easy to follow. In addition to studyingchimpanzees in Gombe, she has been studying us "human apes,"and her findings deserve our attention. The message, really, of herbook is "a very simple one: Each one of us matters, has a role toplay, and makes a difference. Each one of us must take responsibilityfor our own lives, and above all, show respect and love for livingthings around us, especially each other. Together we must reestablishour connections with the natural world and with the Spiritual Powerthat is around us" (p. 267).G. Merritt
Rating: 
Summary: a place for Jane to dump her old diary entries
Review: Boring and overly senamental.
I couldn't even finish this book because I was so tired of reading exerpts from Jane Goodall's childhood journals. SOme of her poems were cute and amusing, but I couldn't help feeling that I was trapped into reading her old diaries...I can only compare it to being a cordial guest at someone's dinner party and being stuck looking at all their old photo albums...
but...it is Jane Goodall and she has a good heart and message...if you can stand the sentimental quaintness of this book.
Rating:
Summary: Hoping There's Hope
Review: Dr. Goodall, who is one of the giants of our age, writes a book which sounds a bit like she is trying to convince herself there is hope that chimpanzees, wildlife and life itself will survive.I work in the area of dolphin and whale intelligence and was surprised at her statement that mankind is the only animal who can describe objects which are not present. Experiments with dolphins certainly indicate they can do that. To me a stronger arguement that there is hope comes from the book "The Long Boom" which lays out a plausible scenario that the ongoing economic expansion, coupled with technology, will enable us to avoid the destruction of our planet - something which is imminent unless we take drastic action to avoid it. Dr. Goodall's final chapters are a challenging and moving exhortation to each of us to participate in this most exciting of challenges - to restore our planet to the condition in which God delivered it to us.
Rating: 
Summary: Developing Human Spiritual Potential
Review: Dr. Jane Goodall is best known for her pioneering research with chimpanzees in which she discovered that they share more traits with humans than previously realized. In this book, she shares her personal perspective on what her research means for human beings. This is a spiritual memoir, and it focuses on the battles between good and evil that occur. Dr. Goodall optimistically sees the potential for humans to do good as outweighing the potential for evil, and she relates her prescription for how each of us should seek to become more saint-like in order to heal the evil that has and is still being done every day to humans, animals, and the environment. While Dr. Goodall will probably never be thought of as a great prose writer, the testimony of her actions, emotions, heart, and thoughts is a powerful inspiration for all to find one's own special calling and to follow it. Reason for Hope has several rare qualities. First, it describes how Dr. Goodall's Christian faith is reconciled with her scientific beliefs. Few scientists do that in public, and both religious and nonreligious people will find the comments to be valuable. Second, she describes one of the most unusual reactions to the Holocaust that I have read. Much of her work with overcoming cruelty towards animals is inspired by seeing them as unwilling victims of zoo and animal research concentration camps. Third, she describes in moving detail the religious epiphanies she has experienced. Fourth, Dr. Goodall describes how she has balanced her personal and professional lives in a very vivid way, that connects to her chimpanzee research. Fifth, she takes what she has learned in her research and connects it to a prescription for humanity. In case you haven't been following her work recently, Dr. Goodall mostly campaigns now for animal rights and to obtain funds to permanently endow the continuation of her work at Gombe in Africa. She is on the road around 300 days a year doing that, and spends the remaining time writing books to publicize her ideas. Her view of animal rights will probably expand your own perceptions. Beyond pointing out the poor conditions applied to animals employed in research and food production, she also makes a persuasive case for how unnecessary pain, discomfort, and a lack of normal pleasantness are instilled on those animals. Basically, she points out that animals share the human qualities of benefiting from lack of pain, freedom to follow one's natural instincts, and receiving loving care. When we treat animals like inanimate objects, we dehumanize ourselves and operate below our spiritual potential to create natural harmony while inflicting real pain and suffering on the animals. Unlike many animal advocates who take extreme positions, she argues for making easily achievable progress towards eliminating abuses of animals as part of a longer path towards ending inhumane treatment of animals. She sees the potential for a future in which there is no animal testing and research and little use of animals for food. But we have to focus on that vision before it will happen. She is even more concerned about the ravages done to the Earth that affect humans and animals alike due to overpopulation, overexploitation of natural resources, and use of chemicals. I found the way she handled the spiritual challenges she faced to be the most interesting part of the book. Her second husband died unexpectedly of cancer. Four of her students were kidnapped at one point from Gombe. She visited two concentration camps. How can a living, loving God allow such evil? You will find her thoughts and experiences helpful with that fundamental question that we all face at various times. In many sections of the book, she shares brief poems that she wrote to describe her thoughts during her various spiritual challenges. I found those to be a helpful way to delve deeper into her heart and mind. Dr. Goodall is clearly a saint-like person in many ways. I am sure you will find it interesting to see what her formative influences were. Some seem to have been instinctive. My favorite story in the book involved how her nanny taught her to be afraid of dragonflies when she was around one, and her child's horror both of them and even greater horror at seeing one killed. I also admired her for sharing stories of ESP and other phenomena that scientists are not supposed to experience or describe neutrally without proof. Basically, Dr. Goodall looks around and sees the best in whatever she observes. You will be touched, if you are like me, by how she looks into the eyes of animals and humans to discern how they are feeling. What a warm heart she must have! After you finish this book, I encourage you to jot down your thoughts about what your spiritual purposes are. What are your spiritual instincts? How do you like to help? How can you do more? Follow the shining path God places before you!
Rating:
Summary: Jane Goodall at her best
Review: For those of us who are familiar with Jane Goodall, this book is a fantastic journey through her life, reflections and inspirational experiences. Written with some of the same stories seen in other of her books, Reason for Hope does its best to put together the scientist and the magnificent human being into one highly inspirational and motivational compendium that is sure to make you reflect upon humanity and how we can make a difference.
The first part of the book repeats many of her life accounts and experiences, and the latter part is at times, quite depressing as she explores the dark aspects of humanity. But then, Goodall's intelligence is a strong stimulating force to make this a great book!
Rating:
Summary: Simplicity Within Complexity...
Review: Having followed Dr. Goodall's work for many years, I was intrigued by her offer to share much more than her autobiography - the gentle beauty of her soul. This book reveals a truly compassionate and elegant heart. I believe that if, as I am, you are interested in the evolution of spiritual life, Reason for Hope is wonderful nourishment for your heart.
Rating:
Summary: "A clearer understanding of a life..
Review: Having long been a fan of Jane Goodall, I was anxious to read her latest book. I was not disappointed. I think in this book we are given a glimpse of the real person behind the National Geographic glossy photos, the real person behind her beloved chimpanzees...the real Jane Goodall who turns out to be much like the rest of us, but who found herself in the right place at the right time with the right people and opportunities. I was touched by her relationship with her mother, her honesty about her failed marriage...her obvious joy in her son and his family. This book should inspire each of us to look at our world and its problems and find something within our own space that we can change for the better. What a beautiful book..
Rating:
Summary: A True Inspiration
Review: I got this book as a present and knew hardly anything about this incredible woman, Jane Goodall before reading her book. Thankfully, because it is her autobiography this book tells her story in her own words. Jane Goodall is a true inspiration for all. Anybody, whether they are young or old, in the science field or just the average person, could relate to the themes represented in this book. This book shows Ms. Goodalls' true good nature and humanity towards apes as well as showing the courage, determination, sensitivity and passion that she had for life. Ms. Goodall is truly a woman with class and is an inspiration to all people.
Rating:
Summary: Everyone needs to read this book!
Review: I have seen Dr. Goodall speak in person twice and I can only say that she is one of the most important people of the 20th century. Her strength of spirit shines through in this book as it does in her lectures. She is simply amazing, and however jaded or cynical one may be, read this book and you likely will take a different view. If everyone can aspire to have one-tenth of Dr. Goodall's strength of character and determination, this world would be a much better place.
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