Interesting yet perplexing

As a lover of travel writing and a keen naturalist, I was drawn to this book on two levels and I would like to review it along similar lines.

Firstly, it is not a technical science book. The scientific writings are basic, easy to understand and enjoyable. (I spent a good hour or so afterward reading more about mermicaphiles!) Kistner obviously knows her stuff when it comes to ants and their kin, but what I found strange and somewhat annoying, was how every animal in the bush was 'out to get you'. This point of view was not one expressed by a mere tourist, but by one of the most respected biologists in the world. What I found particuarly annoying was when Kistner explained how she had to stand stock still when seeing a Green Mamba, 'the only snake snake in the world that will activly hunt down people' - for someone who obviously knows a great deal about the natural world, it was a ridiculous statement.

That said, the travels the Kistners embark upon are very interesting. They travel through parts of Africa on the brink of, or in the midst of civil unrest and war. Their Congolese experience is particuarly worrying and their close shaves are the main pull of the book for me, despite the fact that I thought I would enjoy it more for its descriptions of wildlife.

3/5 stars for me. It is an interesting read, but don't believe everything you read.

Ben Waddams

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful