4.5 stars

Dian Fossey was chosen by Louis Leakey (the same man who sent Jane Goodall to study chimpanzees) to study gorillas. Dian did not have a degree in a related field, though she loved animals. She started in the 1960s until she was murdered in her cabin in 1986. She fell hard for some men (though she never married), but she also did not get along with a lot of people, including some of the students who came to work with her. There was a lot of friction as different people had different ideas about how Karisoke (where she ultimately ended up studying the gorillas in the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda) should run.

The gorillas (and other animals there) were often targeted by poachers and the area also had farmers who allowed their cows into what was supposed to be a protected park area. Dian took it upon herself, in order to save the gorillas, to do (and train others to help… plus she used her own money to pay people since the park rangers didn’t appear to do anything to help) what she called “active conservation”. That is, destroying the snares/traps, rescuing as many animals caught in those traps and by poachers as possible, and catching the poachers. She didn’t agree with bringing tourists to visit the habituated gorillas, though she later relented as long as they were small groups, but she still wasn’t overly happy about it.

Farley Mowat took much of this book from Dian’s own journals/writings, and changes the font in the book to indicate when/where he is using Dian’s words. He fills in the rest. I read “Gorillas in the Mist” years ago. It focuses more on the gorillas themselves, whereas this (though it includes some of the gorillas) focuses more on Dian and the politics and relations with the various people involved. I also read a book by two of Dian’s former students who she didn’t get along with, but I don’t recall all the animosity (but it was so long ago, I may not be remembering, or maybe they left out some of the political issues). In any case, it would be a dream for me to study wild animals in the wild! So, I really enjoyed this. Frustrating at the people who weren’t helping Dian more with her “active” conservation, though I’m not sure I would be brave enough to confront poachers with guns and machetes, either! ( )

Dian Fossey's story told by a kindred spirit. The parts of the book that are her own words are printed in boldface. He's one of my favorite writers, so I may be a little biased here. By he end of the book I felt as though I'd known her. ( )

I read "Gorillas in the Mist" back in 2004, and liked it. But that was the story of the gorillas. This is the story of Dian Fossey. Of course, a lot of Fossey's life is intertwined with that of the gorillas, this book spends very little ink on their lives. Which is as it should be.

A reviewer for the New York Times Book Review said, "A rare gripping look at a heroic, flawed woman". And this book definitely is that. Fossey was heroic, and very flawed. Mowat is very sympathetic to Fossey, while still showing Fossey's warts.

Probably the most enlightening part of the book was the fight between Fossey's Digit Fund, and the Mountain Gorilla Fund, and how donors thought they were helping Fossey, only to find out that the money was actually going to an organization that did very little (some would say nothing) to help her or her organization.

Only negative thing to say about this book is that I personally do not like seeing people embarrassed. And there are times Fossey would be truly embarrassed by this book. Never mean spirited, but none the less, Mowat does not spare Fossey embarrassment. All in all, Mowat tells the tale. He isn't trying to embarrass her, but he lets her embarrass herself. Which is probably as it should be in a biography, but I just don't enjoy that.

Written in 1987, it makes me want to know more about what has happened to Karisoke in the aftermath of Fossey's death. What is the status of the park? What is the gorilla situation? Are things better, or have they gone to hell in a hand basket?

Good read if you are looking for something like this. ( )

If it was possible to give this book 6 stars out of 5, I would. Mowat's extensive research into Fossey's personal life and environmental crusade shows in this book. This book is informative and yet manages to bring the plight of both gorillas and Dian Fossey, herself, to life. ( )

Mowat gives the reader a full and dynamic look at this amazing, passionate crusader by using her own private correspondence, jounals and camp records, and through interviews with anyone who had a connection with her, whether friend or foe. It is full of action and suspense, from her activities with the gorillas to her battles with the Rawandan government and dangerous poachers. It is a must read for anyone interested in conservation and the struggle to protect vital habitat. Heartbreaking yet uplifting as well. ( )