Maris Wicks

Jim Ottaviani and Maris Wicks’ Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas tells the stories of the three primatologists and their work with chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans, respectively. Ottaviani and Wicks begin with how the Leakey’s work in the Olduvai Gorge, Kenya, and other parts of Africa helped to uncover elements of human evolution and pointed the way toward studying other primates to learn about early precursors to modern humans. Each show more of the women that Ottaviani and Wicks profile found their own way to primates based on childhood or later interests. Even more inspiringly, they all came to know of and appreciate each other, with Goodall paving the way for Fossey, who in turn laid the path for Galdikas. Louis Leakey was an advisor to all three and Ottaviani and Wicks manage to capture the complex portrait of how he advanced science while also crossing the line of propriety with some women students. Meanwhile, the women had to overcome structural barriers in science as well as local barriers to their work from governments and nature itself. They also had their flaws, but that makes them more approachable especially for young readers who may feel weird for their interests. Ottaviani and Wicks’ Primates is a great introduction to these three scientists for younger readers. show less

An accessible, and sometimes very funny, introduction to the lives and works of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birute Galdikas. I learned a little about the history of studying primates and much more about the women who studied them. Despite Louis Leakey's tendency to lump all female scientists together for their patience and nurturing talents, Primates makes it very clear that Goodall, Fossey, and Galdikas are unique individuals with their own abilities...and that all women, as long as they show more have passion and perseverance, are qualified for and capable of this kind of scientific work. I would've appreciated an afterword with a bit more information on their lives---perhaps timelines---but the bibliography at least offers suggestions for further study. show less

I picked up this book at the bookstore and was instantly smitten with it. However, at the time I was feeling guilty about how much money I'd been spending on books, so I put it back down and checked this out at the library instead.

I may have to buy it anyway.

Let me write you a love song to this book. Everything about it was enchanting. Of course, I already knew that I was interested in the topic -- having read a few books by Jane Goodall and seen a biopic on Dian Fossey. I had also recently show more read about Louis Leakey (in A Brain for All Seasons), though I hadn't put it together that it was the same Leakey who recruited women and sent them off into the jungle to observe primates until reading this. So it was no surprise to find myself in love from the very first page. The illustration style was endearing. The details chosen and the way each person was introduced and conveyed showed just how different the three women are/were, despite all that they had in common. And while I'm certainly not an expert on the subject, it seemed that Leakey's "woman problem" was handled pretty evenly and matter-of-factly -- his affairs with students/mentees (he was a married man), sometimes unwanted sexual attention, while simultaneously putting women on a pedestal as naturally superior researchers.

These three women (and Leakey, of course), changed what it means to be human. They altered our relationship to the rest of the animal kingdom forever. This is a fantastic introduction to their work, but could definitely only be considered an introduction. It has definitely made me want to learn more about both Leakey and Galdikas.

Always more books to read! (Helpfully, there is a lovely bibliography at the back.) show less

I'm not especially interested in space travel, but this book is so much more than that. If you're interested in stories of amazing women, or history, or teamwork, read this. It's fairly quick, but also has a lot of information, and it's for all ages from about 8 up. I particularly appreciated that the conservative influencers were reminded again and again that diverse talents, perspectives, and even sizes of members on the team are important. Group think, for example, is a real show more problem.

There's plenty of humor both in narration and pictures. I particularly liked one of the last funny pictures, the one in which Dr. Cleave gets a high five from an ape. You'll have to read to find out the context, though. It's both a serious read, and a joyous one, and I highly recommend it. show less