New book about the discovery of gorillas

[DavidBrown]

There is a new book by someone named Monte Reel about the guy who "discovered" gorillas and what the social implications of it were. It sounds like a fascinating story.

The New York Times review of the book, "Between Man and Beast", is here: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/07/b...an-and-beast-by-monte-reel.html?smid=pl-share

Has anybody read this book yet? I have it on request at the library as I write this post.

 

[jbnbsn99]

I heard a story about it on NPR the other day, but wasn't able to hear the whole thing. Sounded interesting though. The discoverer seemed to be a real character.

 

[Tim May]

Many thanks for bringing this new book to my attention, David; I was unaware of this recent publication which should be very interesting.

The comment in the review that Du Chaillu “made no memorable discoveries other than the gorilla” seems rather unfair – Du Chaillu discovered the fascinating giant otter shrew Potamogale velox.

 

[Messy]

Have it on order

 

[DavidBrown]

Many thanks for bringing this new book to my attention, David; I was unaware of this recent publication which should be very interesting.

The comment in the review that Du Chaillu “made no memorable discoveries other than the gorilla” seems rather unfair – Du Chaillu discovered the fascinating giant otter shrew Potamogale velox.

Thanks Tim for bringing to my attention that Du Chaillu discovered the giant otter shrew, my new favorite tenrec of all time.

Maybe after we all read the book we can have a ZooChat book club and discuss it.

 

[zooboy28]

Thanks Tim for bringing to my attention that Du Chaillu discovered the giant otter shrew, my new favorite tenrec of all time.

Maybe after we all read the book we can have a ZooChat book club and discuss it.

Oooooh, I didn't realise they were tenrecs, that's so cool!

 

[Chlidonias]

Oooooh, I didn't realise they were tenrecs, that's so cool!

what?! You missed David's entire tenrec thread??!!
http://www.zoochat.com/2/there-any-good-tenrec-exhibits-zoos-264322/

 

[zooboy28]

what?! You missed David's entire tenrec thread??!!
http://www.zoochat.com/2/there-any-good-tenrec-exhibits-zoos-264322/

Yeah I did actually, I think I missed a few discussions, especially in the general forum around that time, as I was pretty busy with organising my move and various other things. I do remember his thread on giant otter shrews themselves (http://www.zoochat.com/2/giant-otter-shrews-zoos-270340/), but I don't think that ever touched on the fact that they were tenrecs. Having just now found that thread and reread it, I note that it was actually touched on in the very first post, which is somewhat embarrassing... I swear I'm not a skimmer!

 

[Chlidonias]

since this thread started I've been trying to remember the book I own (packed away in another city for now so I couldn't physically check) where I first read about Hanno and the "gorillas" which attacked his men. It was "Out Of Noah's Ark" by Herbert Wendt (in the late 50s?). Excellent book. If anyone gets the chance to buy it, I recommend it entirely. I think Bernard Heuvelmans probably also mentioned it "On The Track Of Unknown Animals". Wilfrid Blunt's "The Ark In The Park" (about London Zoo) also had quite a bit about Paul du Chaillu if I recall correctly.