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Summary: The Best Book I've Ever Read
Review: A refreshing, funny, honest book about the serious issue of endangered animals. I've given copies of this book as gifts to all of my favorite people.
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Summary: One of my favorites.
Review: I first read this when I was maybe 13 and as soon as I finished it, I made a list of things I could do to raise money to save the Kakapos, one of the species with whom Adams gets acquainted in this incredible, incredibly funny, incredibly tragic book. It's as hilarious as everything else I've read by him. It moves me to tears every time I read it. Wow.
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Summary: Poignant and hysterically funny at the same time.
Review: Douglas Adams has accomplished much with this very clever book. He has made the potentially treacherous transition from writing satiric science-fiction to relatively straight but opinionated non-fiction. He has also taken a subject that is generally dry and preachy and has successfully reworked it as entertainment of a high level for readers who give it a shot. Perhaps the most surprizing aspect of this book is that he overlayed it with the funniest observations about the insanity of international travel that I have ever lost it over. Anyone who has had to deal with seemingly inexplicable rules in distant locales will have to make periodic pit stops to avoid loss of bladder control. This book is both a hoot, and a touching reminder of how fragile the ecology of our world is.
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Summary: A major disappointment.
Review: There are some insightful and witty observations about animals in this book. Unfortunately, they are buried in the mostly unfunny stories of his travels to the location of the animals. The condescending and sometimes racist attitudes Douglas Adams shares about people in other countries were disturbing.
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Summary: A fabulously funny book about a very moving subject.
Review: Douglas Adams is probably my favorite author, and while it is certainly different from his other masterpieces, this is a GREAT book, whether for its humor or for the serious information it conveys. I feel sorry for the two people (thus far) who gave it one star instead of the five everyone else has given it.
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Summary: The man can make you laugh and cry with a single sentence.
Review: We now get to examine another side of the person that brought us the "Hitchhiker's Guide". I bought this book out of curiosity and was amazed at Adam's insight into the world around him. His dry wit has always been excellent in pointing out our human frailties, but he has now taken this to the next level by showing us detailed instances of how our frailties are screwing up our planet's species. This book, while very entertaining, was also quite depressing as he points out the damge we have done, and will most likely continue to do. I wish I could say this book will change the way we look at our world, but unfortunately, I think it will be too little, too late. Bravo, Douglas! For me, you have become more than just a humorous writer, but an entertaining voice for a silent conscience. Hopefully, some will listen and laugh at your words, then realize the plight we have wrought may eventually catch up to us.
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Summary: Comedy next-door to tragedy
Review: Douglas Adams is, of course, famous for his humour and dry wit as witnessed in the Hitch-hiker series of books. How inspired, then, that he should turn his huge intellect and enthusiasm to a subject which is in great need of attention.The seemingly inevitable fate of the species he writes about is thrown into even more tragic contrast by his excellent and witty writing style, and this, I feel, makes the book not only thoroughly readable and enjoyable, but as incisive and educational as it can be.
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Summary: It's good because it's real.
Review: Look closely at the cover of LCTS. Note the twinkle in Douglas' eye. Writing about the real world after writing fictions, Douglas' nose for the absurd idea is directed at the causes of the situations he witnesses. A paragraph may be both a joke and a rebuke to humanity for not taking care of our neighbours. The writing itself is excellent; joke, description and account of the thought processes seamlessly bound. The tortuous sentences sometimes used by Douglas to throw the reader off-track are absent to let us concentrate on the seriousness of the situation, yet this is still a book to smile at. Besides the woes done unto them, we are also provided with hugely interesting accounts of the biology and behaviour of the creatures (and plant) in question, where Mark Carwardine's zoological expertise and associates make their mark. For those who have yet to read it - remember that since the book was written the damage to the planet by our species has increased.
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Summary: An eye-opening and humorous third-world adventure
Review: This book combines the best of Douglas Adams' humor with the reality of seriously threatened species that are sparsely inhabiting our planet. My favorite creature was the defiant kakapo, whose determination is seemingly intended for the bird not to survive, with its finicky eating and mating habits. Adams and Carwardine do a splendid job describing the countries they visit as well as the animals. Anyone who has traveled to third-world countries will recognize the inconsistent border guards and troubled flight schedules, currency problems and badly-behaving tourists. As the troupe travels around the world, the reader is treated to a first hand glance of the experience as well an in-depth description of the endangered species and their particular habits.
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Summary: Beautifully written and insightful!
Review: This is a wonderful book and very much deserving of atleast one read if not more. I am on it for the second time. The author beautifully blends a historical account, a scientific account, and a personal account of the search for some of the rarest animals on earth. He also brings a cultural aspect to the plight of the animals and laces his experiences with wonderful humor. I would definantly suggest this book to everyone! I am more than willing to talk to others about this book if you would like.
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