Rating: 
Summary: Very uplifting, insightful, and inspirational
Review: Jane Goodall writes openly and honestly about her awesome and inspiring life. Jane Goodall tells us about her amazing travels-- from a young ambitious girl growing up in the birches of England to a brillant woman documenting apes' behavior in the forests of Africa to bravely fighting for environmental change around the world.In this book, Jane Goodall pours from the deep corners of her heart. By sharing her personal experiences, Jane Goodall is a witness to the true innate goodness of all human beings, the triumph of the human spirit, and the great God in which we all live, move, and have our being. Jane Goodall ponders the greatest of human questions throughout her book. Is God real and present in our world, even with all of the modern discoveries of science? Can human beings achieve greater levels of moral, intellectual, and spiritual growth and overcome the great obstacles that they face? Jane Goodall makes sense of these questions and helps the reader to come to a better understanding of how to live in the world. I read this book for an assurance that science only adds to the wonder and mystery of existence, and that science can help us come closer to God. My favorite part was when Jane Goodall went to the forest after the death of her second husband, and felt a connection to the "great spiritual energy of life itself." She reaffirmed her conviction by discovering how science was only a part of the human pursuit of understanding and knowledge, not the complete and final truth. At the end of the book, Goodall asks a significant question as she reaches the autumn of her life, "And when I reach the end, it will be the beginning?" I recommend this book to all who want to remember that the journey of growth, understanding, and knowledge we are all on is always just beginning.
Rating:
Summary: An Inspiring and Thought Provoking Book
Review: Jane Goodall's book is thought provoking. She asks us to confront the tough questions: Will we be able to save our planet when the air and water is being poisoned, overpopulation and over consumption is rampant and the natural world is being destroyed? What are the ethical implications of animals in research. Are we justified in causing agony in healthy animals?
Her answers are heartfelt and wise and her stories about the compassionate side of humankind are inspiring: Our desire to try to help beyond the borders of our own nations and the creation of the Grameen Bank that makes small loans to the poor.
Above all we learn about Jane's beautiful spirit-her gathering scientific data and learning from chimpanzees, becoming a voice for all species and how the forest can bring us a spiritual power and peace that "passeth understanding."
Rating:
Summary: Simply... remarkable. Utterly inspiring.
Review: Jane is a remarkable woman, who's story of struggle as a young and inexperienced scientist with what were thought to be absurd ideals and methods of study, received much flack from the scientific community of her time. Still, many scientists under go the rigors of the scientific community's lateral and blinkered thinking. Reason for Hope, serves more than to encourage individuals into believing that each is capable of achieving their ideals and dreams, but that the simpler, intangible qualities like motivation, tenacity, courage and love, can triumph in the end with belief and resilience.
Jane made an amazing and commendable effort to be honest and humble with her readers, sharing her deepest and seemingly most private thoughts, which all have played a part in shaping her life and character. anyone will appreciate this book, be they from a scientific, animal welfare, spiritual or casual background. because jane's work relates to of all of us in the simplest of ways - we all have ambitions we wish to fulfill, depending on what they are we're often hard challenged and many of us have been defeated, yet we hold true to our beliefs and jane reminds us all, that that is which matters most - that is which will pull through to the end. that that, could only be, our reason for hope.
Rating: 
Summary: a great book
Review: Ms. Goodall is a soft voice that carries loudly because her message is so important. Our world is in trouble and she shows why this is so, yet tells us there is hope if we humans change our behavior now. Makes you stop and think.
Rating:
Summary: MORAL EVOLUTION - LIFE'S HIGHER PURPOSE AND MEANING
Review: Of all the book's this incredible woman has written containing her inner-most thoughts and feelings, this one is by far my favourite. In "Reason for Hope" Goodall reveals her outlook on life and touches on spirituality in a deeper light than seen in her other writings. She looks at humanity, our past mistakes and our reasons for hope. So much of this book reminds me of Buddhist philosophies, and the importance of sharing our compassion with the world. This life is not our destination or reason for being; it is merely the vehicle which carries us through this part of our journey - the part where we must give all that we can of ourselves to help others. Goodall is well-known as an advocate in protecting chimpanzees but she does not stop there. She helps the reader to understand why we, as individuals, must speak up and do whatever good we can to protect all animals and to better ourselves as human beings. As a consumer, we need to do speak out against the use of animals in inhumane experiments and labratory testing. It is not enough to read of animal abuse and silently sit back and say, "Isn't that terrible." We, as humans, need to take a pro-active approach and voice our opinions, loud and clear to companies, organizations, legislators with a clear-cut message that says, "Animal abuse, like child abuse, cannot and will not be tolerated in our society." Goodall is a woman who stands firmly in her beliefs and has the courage to speak out for what she believes in. While this book reveals a darker, more serious spiritual side to Goodall, the reader will be left with a better understanding of this incredible woman and her relentless devotion to protecting, not only chimpanees, but all animals. "Reason for Hope" takes the reader on a journey into the spiritual side of this, renowned, enigmatic, decisive woman wih a passion for the chimps at Gombe.
Rating:
Summary: Profound but easy to read
Review: Others have written so well and have covered so much territory, thus I shant repeat what has been said. Would simply like to note that this is a book about a woman and by a woman who set out to partake an adventure that most single women sans a college degree just didnt do forty years ago. And this is what makes the book so wonderful, because she is now sixty and reflecting on what was, where she has come from as well as where she still hopes to go. Personally I appreciated the sharing of what it was like to be married and raising a child in an outback area, then divorcing, finding and loving a man who sadly died and here she is reflecting upon life. Yes it has some deeply religious/spiritual undertones but again, it is nice to read of a science minded soul who does ackowledge something bigger than the self. This is a book I am enjoying sharing with all my over 40 and 50 age group women friends. Just wish Ms Goodall would slow down. A PBS special I saw recentiy showed her hectic schedule and how she had been ill, but that she has the sincere and serious concern that primate lands are quickly disappearing and that nations need to wake up before it is to late.
Rating:
Summary: A gentle and cultivated guide
Review: Reason For Hope outlines Jane Goodall's life and her philosophy, and provides a summary of what she believes, why she believes it, and how she came to believe it. I was a bit skeptical when I began this book, but quickly became a convert to much of Ms Goodall's philosophy and outlook when it became rather obvious that her insights were tested by, and developed through, the many trials of her life as a scientist and a publicist. Goodall gives a charming and succinct view of how her interests in primatology developed, how she remained positive despite personal tragedy and the environmental depradations in her beloved Africa, and why we should cultivate a concern about life.
I was most impressed by how Ms Goodall's insights were carefully nurtured through intense patience and keen observation. She does not come by her insights cheaply, and has made an enviable blend of rationalism and empiricism. She notes many similarities between humanity and the higher primates, such as an innate cruelty (which can be overridden, but only with difficulty), an understandable but often fiercely destructive "herd mentality," and a tendency to favor optimism and joyfulness in our acquaintances. She makes a convincing argument that an appreciation of other life forms can enhance --not degrade-- our humanity. Finally, Ms Goodall argues that each one of us can make a positive difference in how we live, for the betterment of ourselves and others.
I was impressed with how this productive and innovative scientist shows how science can be ethically progressive and "spiritually" meaningful. I can't think of anyone I would not recommend it to. Her book is a wonderful gift to her readers and to life.
Rating:
Summary: One of the most important books of the century.
Review: Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey, by Jane Goodall with Phillip Berman, Warner Books, 1999, New York. by Marc Bekoff Reason for Hope is an amazing book by a most-amazing woman. Jane Goodall's autobiography is easy to read and will appeal to people of all ages. She writes about highly personal issues and reflects on science, religion, and spirituality. Goodall is clearly a "Jane of all trades and master of many." She wears many hats and she wears them well. Goodall is a naturalist at heart, can do multivariate statistics, write about God and spirituality, be a faithful and committed mother and wife, and find time tirelessly to share her experiences world-wide. There is so much between its covers that one can only offer a glimpse of the numerous topics that are considered in Reason for Hope. This very personal book touches on diverse issues ranging from practical matters we all face daily to more philosophical questions concerning the meaning of life and spirituality. We learn about the events in Goodall's development that led to her views of the world, the incredible importance of family and friends, her work with Louis Leakey (her incredulity when he chose her to begin studies of chimpanzees although, and perhaps because, she had no formal training and no degree), field studies of chimpanzee behavior, conservation biology, environmental ethics, evolution and its relationship to creationism, cultural evolution, the agonizing death of Goodall's husband, Derek, the ins and outs of how much science is done behind the scenes, science and politics, and how so many scientists shy away from confronting the ethical issues that are raised by "doing science." Goodall also learned that naming animals and describing their personalities (I think that "animalities" might have been more acceptable terms) was taboo in science, but because she had not been to university she did not know this. She "thought it was silly and paid no attention." In an interesting story, Goodall notes how fortunate she was when her mother, Vanne, found she had taken a whole handful of worms to bed at 10 months old she did not throw them out, but quietly told Jane they would die without earth, so she toddled with them back into the little garden outside their London apartment. In many ways Vanne is no less amazing than her daughter. In her mid-fifties, Vanne joined Jane on her initial journey into the wilds, leaving for five months a nice peaceful existence in England. Goodall also relates how her novel observations of tool-use in chimpanzees, which were responsible for redefining what is it to be human ("Man the toolmaker" no longer was tenable, tool use did not separate humans from other animals), were looked upon with skepticism by people who thought she was untrained to do the work she was doing, many of whom had never left their ivory tower or seen a wild animal. Photographs of tool use subsequently squelched their concerns. Goodall also ponders evil, warfare, love, and hope, and writes about such notions as reincarnation and the meaning of time and space. She also wonders if she should have brought a child into what many call a hopeless world. Goodall fearlessly discusses how science, intuition, religion, and spirituality merge. Few scientists ever attempt to walk in fields in which she strolls comfortably. Goodall claims, rightfully, that "Science does not have the appropriate tools for the dissection of the spirit." But perhaps changing our views of science will help us along. Goodall is also an accomplished poet and sprinkles some of her works throughout. Goodall also espouses how words, used as labels, can lessen an experience, make it too rational. She notes "Words are part of our rational selves, and to abandon them for a while is to give freer reign to our intuitive selves" What is so appealing about this book is that Goodall does not profess to be an expert in such matters of time and space or in such areas as moral philosophy and religion. Rather, she shows how questions that seem so irrelevant to many scientists are, in fact, highly relevant to the way they go about their business. And, a message that comes out loudly and clearly throughout is that after all is said and done, Goodall is a human being before all, a mortal made of flesh and blood. Just like all us, Goodall can cry, laugh uncontrollably, and most importantly, laugh at herself. So, what are Goodall's reasons for (3) the energy and enthusiasm that is found or can be kindled among young worldwide; and (4) the indomitable human spirit. Everybody can make a difference, and it is the little things we do for others that count so much. Goodall obviously loves what she does. She enters her standing-room-only lectures carrying her stuffed animal buddy Mr. H and begins by emitting a walloping pant-hoot. People laugh and then relax. Goodall then begins quietly to talk about her work and the world at large. Her audience is eerily silent. Goodall speaks softly with confidence, but carries a big stick. She also is light and sprinkles serious discourse with down-home humor. Goodall is not a quitter. Most people expected her to leave her difficult and dangerous field work after a few weeks, but she is now entering her fortieth year of research! She is unrelenting in carrying messages of hope across the planet. Just as she stills her audiences so will this book still you. There is no better model for us to follow as we head into the millennium and beyond. Reason for Hope is one of the most important books of the century. Marc Bekoff teaches in Environmental, Population, and Organismic Biology at CU-Boulder. He is editor of Encyclopedia of Animal Rights and Animal Welfare, for which Dr. Goodall wrote the Foreword
Rating:
Summary: If you were allowed to read only one book-read this one!
Review: Refreshing... Dr. Goodall doesn't hold true to what we usually think of as the customary "atheistic/agnostic" viewpoint of most scientists. Here is someone who delivers more food for thought in a few pages than many preachers do in lengthy sermons from pulpits! Here is an example of what homo sapiens was meant to be... someone who truly believes that an individual can make a difference, and to prove it, she has made a difference and implores others to, as well. A motivating and inspiring piece that deserves a place on everyone's book shelf! Dr. Jane's going to find this book a hard act to follow... and I'll be hard-pressed to find another so enjoyable! Looking forward to her next "journey".
Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: She has such an wonderful way of presenting herself and her ideas. She is the opposite of arrogance!
I like the way this reviewer put it:
"Jane made an amazing and commendable effort to be honest and humble with her readers, sharing her deepest and seemingly most private thoughts, which all have played a part in shaping her life and character. anyone will appreciate this book, be they from a scientific, animal welfare, spiritual or casual background."
She is not boastful, but sticks to her points. Her honesty reminds me of my father's honesty about life.
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