Jane Goodall (1934–2025)

Let me start by saying that I’m a big fan of Jane Goodall. I like what I know of her scientific work, I am in line with her advocacy, and she seems like a pretty cool person overall. And of course, if you liked that disclaimer, you’re probably not going to like the rest of this review. Because I was quite disappointed in this book.

It’s pure advocacy, of course, which isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker for me (though it is an obstacle). But it’s not a very robust work, at all. My show more major complaint, and I can’t believe I’m about to say this, is her truly shoddy use of science. Again and again, she makes sweeping claims that lean very heavily on scant evidence. Besides which, that evidence is either poorly laid out or obviously faulty. She cites certain claims that I know to be problematic, and she isn’t just citing them in passing, or as part of an otherwise well-supported claim. There are other citations that I’m not as familiar with, but in this context, I find it difficult to put any confidence in them. So in the end, though I agree almost entirely with her conclusions, I didn’t draw much insight or inspiration from this book. She’s preaching, not just to the choir, but to only its most enthusiastic, least skeptical members. If you are one, you should love this. If you’re not, I’d advise you to skip it.

Also, the subtitle is thoroughly misleading. This book is much more about consumption (of food, granted) than about eating. Yet another disappointment, though a much smaller one. show less

***received as an ARC from the publisher

I’m SO not the person who reads self-help books, collections of affirmations, or even most books that fall into the memoir/autobiography category, but I figured that I would give Jane Goodall’s new book a try after the publishers sent it to me, and surprisingly I quite enjoyed it! Formatted like a longform conversation (with some exposition) between Goodall and co-author Douglas Abrams, the book has a cosy sort of feeling, like you’re hanging out show more talking about the big ideas in the world with two of your close friends over a cup of good coffee - or in Goodall’s case, a glass of fine whiskey. Foremost of the ideas discussed by Goodall and Abrams is the titular idea of hope - something that seems to be in far too short a supply in the trying times that we live in. After the year we’ve had in my hometown, being hit hard by COVID-19, an inevitable economic downturn, and a summer spent surrounded by monumental forest fires, the book hit a bit harder than I expected, since all of the major ideas that Jane is trying to help have taken on a very personal note. And yet, even in these darkest of times, the concept of hope is one that doesn’t seem to have really gone away. Day to day may be a struggle, but when it comes down to it, we’re still doing what we can to make a better world for tomorrow. At least that’s my hope. I don’t know if this book adds up to its promise of being “a survival guide for trying times,” but it definitely has a little spark driven by Jane’s seemingly endless personal hope, and her matter of fact discussion of how the world keeps turning in its many ways (no matter what) make it well worth the read. show less

After Jane Goodall's death just a short while ago, I wanted to honor her memory by reading one of her books. I chose "Reason for Hope". Jane has written a beautiful book that traces her childhood in England, to her time researching in Gombe, and her work as a real power in the environmental conservancy community. The book is viewed through the lens of Jane's spiritual beliefs and how that has shaped her life.

It's beautiful, it's quotable, it's a look at a life well-done. Read it and you show more won't be disappointed. show less

When Pandora opened her husband's box, out of curiosity, she unleased misfortunes and tragedies upon the war. She shut the box quickly, but it was too late, only one thing reminded, HOPE. In these last few years when so many things seem out of control: pitically, the environment affecting all, and world wide pandemics c where so many have lost their lives, what can be more important than the hope that things can get better. Who better than to talk about hope than Jane Goodall, this amazing show more woman, now in her late eighties, who has traveled the world giving talks on the importance of protecting nature, all nature including her beloved chimps. In this book she is giving us reasons on why despite all the distressful things that are happening, there is still time if we work together, there is still time for hope.

This is a marvelous book and one in which I highlighted so many quotes, I realized I needed to hold a copy in my hands. My own copy that I could highlight passages to read again and again, when needed.
An early Christmas present to myself. It is hard to finish this book without feeling uplifted and yes, hopeful.

"How addressing human injustices like poverty and gender oppression makes us better to create hope for the people and environment."

"True wisdom requires both thinking with our head and understanding with our hearts."

"The difficult is hard, the impossible just a little harder."

And Jane's rallying cry echoed around the world.
"Together we CAN! Together we WILL!
Yes, we can, and we will--for we must." show less