Last Chance to See is not a serious scientific discussion of environmental
problems. There is a fair amount of humor and generally fun-to-read stories
of Adams' adventures with biologists. However, it is interspersed with
quite a bit of the biology of the species he goes to see, a good bit of
cultural context, interesting descriptions of efforts to sustain declining
populations (ecotourism, habitat restoratin, relocation, and breeding
programs), and some brief discussion of some of the causes of extinction
(poaching, habitat loss, invasive species). I don't remember Adams
expounding on the way things ought to be. It's a great book to launch more
serious discussion of environmental problems. The book is fun to read,
which is important for non-majors summer reading assignments, and gives it
a chance at getting previously uninterested students interested in
conservation biology.
-Kathleen
On Feb 27 2008, Kelly Stettner wrote:
I'm a little surprised to see Last Chance to See being promoted for this
purpose; from what I gather, it's a fun read...period. There is a ton of
Adams' lovely, off-beat British humor (especially in the dialogue),
plenty of his opinions about The Way Things Ought To Be, but he is very
flippant with imporant topics which form the back-drop for The Way Things
Got To Be How They Are. It's a fun read, perhaps a launch-point for
honest research and serious discussion, but humor doesn't replace
integrity.
Respectfully,
Kelly Stettner
Black River Action Team (BRAT)
45 Coolidge Road
Springfield, VT 05156
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.blackriveractionteam.org
~Making ripples on the Black River since 2000! ~
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Kathleen S. Knight
