Rating: 
Summary: A global trek for survival
Review: Over a couple of cold ones at the local pub, the good doctor and i burst out simultaneously: "I found this incredible book! You've got to read it!" It was, of course, Quammen. That's the kind of reaction this writer generates. His prose seizes your attention as he gently leads you into deserts, mountainous jungles, riverside woodlands and isolated islands in the Pacific. His quiet courage forces you to remind yourself that he's not gleaning his information from the vast list of sources in the back of this book, but from the researchers in the field. And he's right there with them as he relates their stories to him for you. Quammen writes books you want to carry around, waving at people, urging them to enjoy the superior writing and the critical message. It's all about our survival.Quammen's resurrection of Alfred Russell Wallace was long overdue. Others have tried to bring this figure back into common knowledge, but the revival was either to accuse Darwin of plagiarism or taint Wallace's accomplishments with the flaws of penury and spiritualism. Quammen handles him as a total human being who achieved through inspiration in a delirium, what Darwin took two decades to accomplish. Quammen doesn't need to balance the two, he's more concerned with explaining the concepts in ways we can understand. It's Quammen's ability to make you feel you are accompanying him on his quest to see how Nature that places him far above other science writers. He understands the issues, recognizes the value of the research being done and presents the methods and events alike with unblemished clarity. As a writer concerned with the impact of humanity on the world's environment, Quammen exhibits a unique talent. While the ongoing extinction of species remains the central issue of this book, Quammen is able to show how dedicated researchers given support from concerned and caring people can begin to slow that eradication of our fellow species. Quammen's concern doesn't translate into alarmist rhetoric. He calls to us softly but urgently: "There's work to be done. There's people out there doing it. Help them how you can. They're our symbol of hope."
Rating:
Summary: Quammen at his best.
Review: I recommend this book to anyone who has a passing interest in population biology but who does not have the scientific background to do a more thorough investigation. Quammen explains many of the concepts in a clear fashion using interesting and appropriate examples. Through a narrative of natural history Quammen introduces us to some of the most important academics in the field (Wilson being only one) and gives the reader a taste of what he or she might find if the reader decided to delve further into the academic literature. Quammmen's descriptions of his own personal search for the Thylocene or of his introduction to the snakes on (Midway, Guam? one of those two WW II islands) are interesting, sometimes funny, but always entertaining. Fans of Bruce Chatwin will find some similarities, and will appreciate Quammen's "travelogue" style of writing. This is not "dumbed down" science, but science from a layman's point of view. Even scientists should read this book if only to learn how to transmit more clearly complicated concepts.
Rating:
Summary: Absorbing natural history
Review: Compelling and fascinating book on island biogeography and biogeography in general. Another major theme is the decline in biodiversity on our planet. Good discussion on evolution as it relates to this subject, and the coverage on E.O. Wilson's ideas, who wrote the classic work in the area, is also excellent. Quammen visited many of the areas he writes about, for example, Madagascar, where he documents the tragic decline and loss of lemur and prosimian species through the erosion and destruction of the rainforest, and the effects of overpopulation. As I read this chapter I recalled another poignant observation about the beleaguered island--that space shuttle astronauts could actually see the red soil of Madagascar bleeding into the Indian Ocean from orbit--an appropos if somewhat morbid image for the greater ecological hemorrhaging of our own planet.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: This is one beautiful book. From it's dust jacket, to it's linked essay style, to it's elegant message Quammen dazzled me with this ecological masterpiece. Not only does Quammen illuminate a biological threat, habitat fragmentation, in ways that make you pause in amazement, but he tells it in a very engaging travelog style.
Rating:
Summary: An important book about an important subject
Review: Don't let the topic or size deter you. Quammen writes effortlessly and effectively how man, through habitat destruction, is causing, and it will only escalate, extintions at a rate not been since the dinosaurs disappeared. Instead of a comet in the case of the dinosaurs, it's us and our destructive ways. He holds out hope we can stop it before it gets any worse. I hope he's right, but I doubt it. Great book, great writer.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Science Journalism
Review: This is a book about species extinction. More properly, this book is about what the study of species distributions on islands, island biogeography, tells us about extinctions. It is also a well written and in some ways artful book. It is clear that Quammen admires greatly pioneering biogeographers like the great Alfred Wallace. This book, consequently, follows the travelogue format used by these pioneering biologists in their writings on biogeography. This book is lengthy and covers many interesting topics including the history of the discovery of natural selection, the nature of speciation, and the development of modern ideas about species distribution on islands. There is a tremendous amount of fascinating natural history and biology packed into this book, some gleaned from Quammen's careful and comprehensive investigation of the scientific literature, some from extensive interviews and travels with important scientists. Quammen uses a somewhat discursive writing style but his skill in writing individual sections and implicitly linking topics maintains the integration of the book. The only comparable book(s) I can think of, and this is a great compliment, are John McPhee's excellent work on geology. Recommended strongly.
Rating:
Summary: superb
Review: "the song of the dodo" is a wonderful book for anyone interested in animals, biogeography and nature conservation. it is scientifically accurate, easy to read, well arranged and very, very informative. it covers both the zoology and the zoological research, and covers the key figures, as well as the well known (and some less well known) case studies in the field. this book is interesting, well written, mind opening and important
Rating:
Summary: Marvellously written, an extremely important subject
Review: David Quammen has the makings of an excellent scientist, but I'm glad that his profession is natural history writing. The Song of the Dodo is a fascinating book in many ways. The author presents scientific ideas and scientific personae in a very clear and understandable way and at the same time takes the reader on many enjoyable adventures around the world. The story of the development of the theory of evolution, as seen from the viewpoints of many biologists, is most engagingly told. The book is serious and scientifc, but often also quite funny. The loss of biological diversity on the planet has very serious consequences for the ecological integrity of our planet, yet the book, in discussing the implications of our "age of extinction," is uplifting at the same time. I wish that everyone could appreciate the seriousness of this biological crisis--Mr. Quammen has made an excellent effort to present this subject to the interested reader. It's a wonderful book and I intend to recommend it to everyone!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic- funny and painstakingly informative
Review: As a reader of OUTSIDE MAGAZINE, I knew Mr. Quammen's writing style and knew he brings a humourous style to the table. Such a seemingly ponderous subject might have weighed down many authors, but this book comes off as equally scholarly and funny. A+.
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Summary: Complexe Biological Issues are made accessable
Review: This book was great! I made some very complexe issues accessable and even interesting. It is a must for anyone who is concerned about speices extinction. David Quamman gives insight into the history and people involved with saving endangered speices. He also introduces biogeographical theory and the implications that this has in the context of the current situation.
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