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

3 1/2 stars: Good

You know who she is; this book is as its subtitled - her spiritual journey. Specifically how to reconcile what she saw as a young child in the aftermath of WWII with her very supportive, idealistic family and her deep religious beliefs. My interpretation is that hope is a verb, its an action that we take. That we must continually make meaningful actions to counteract negative forces. I didn't love this book as much as I wanted to (I rated it 7 stars, a solid good) but I did show more gift it quite a few times this holiday season. If you are struggling with existential angst in this difficult time we live in, you may find some inspiration from Dr. Goodall -- and then find ways for you to take action and thus reclaim your hope.

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From amazon:

From world-renowned scientist Jane Goodall, as seen in the National Geographic documentary Jane, comes a poignant memoir about her spiritual epiphany and an appeal for why everyone can find a reason for hope.

Dr. Jane Goodall's revolutionary study of chimpanzees in Tanzania's Gombe preserve forever altered the very, definition of humanity. Now, in a poignant and insightful memoir, Jane Goodall explores her extraordinary life and personal spiritual odyssey, with observations as profound as the knowledge she has brought back from the forest. show less

Subtitled "A Survival Guide for Trying Times", this volume is based on several conversations between the authors about how important it is to humans to have hope for the future, and how we can sustain that hope in the face of wars, pandemics, political upheaval, personal tragedy, climate change and other global catastrophes. Full of examples of positive change through individual and communal efforts, it is a pep talk for anyone who thinks we are doomed by our own stupidity, and that humanity show more is beyond (or not worth) saving anyway. Goodall is no Pollyanna, and her life experiences have shown her plenty of unpleasant realities, but she has also seen the good we can do when we unleash our "amazing human intellect...the power of youth, and the indomitable human spirit". Her view that these three human attributes, together with the resilience of nature, are grounds for hope that the planet may be brought back from the brink. Definitely a worthwhile read, although I found the style a bit clunky---Abrams took the many hours of discussion between him and Dr. Goodall, and attempted to make a narrative dialog, which sometimes felt forced. Nevertheless, the content rises above that, and the final chapter, written by Jane Goodall herself, is a call to action we should not brush off. show less