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Books : A Sheltered Life: The Unexpected History of the Giant Tortoise

A Sheltered Life: The Unexpected History of the Giant Tortoise

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 : A Sheltered Life: The Unexpected History of the Giant Tortoise

Price: $104.57
as of 03/19/2010 21:30 EDT details



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Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 590
EAN: 9780719565281
Edition: illustrated edition
Format: Illustrated
ISBN: 0719565286
Label: John Murray Publishers
Manufacturer: John Murray Publishers
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 306
Publication Date: 2004-01
Publisher: John Murray Publishers
Studio: John Murray Publishers




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Editorial Review:

Product Description:
For millennia these mighty beasts lived in isolation on remote oceanic islands such as the Galapagos, Seychelles and Mauritius. From the sixteenth century, the discovery that tortoises were good to eat and their strategic location led to a wholesale plunder of their population by ships making long voyages. Later, Victorian scientists became fascinated by these creatures, and from wondering why it was that such large animals were always to be found on remote islands came the first understanding of ecology and biogeography. It was the giant tortoise that directly inspired Darwin to create his theory of natural selection. Could a tortoise which Darwin took from the Galapagos in 1835 still be alive today in an Australian zoo? Indeed many people have become fascinated with these gentle giants. We learn why the French were surrendered the island of Mauritius but baulked at handing over their mascot tortoise and why the discovery of some dodo bones inspired Victorian scientists to launch a 'save the tortoise campaign'. The twentieth century saw the establishment of wildlife reserves in the Galapagos and elsewhere but it was too late for many species.Paul Chambers shows how modern genetics has been able to track down members of what were once believed to be extinct populations of these magnificent creatures.



Customer Reviews
Average Rating:  out of 5 stars

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - beautiful, moving, warning knell
As a lifelong fan of turtles in general and giant tortoises in particular, I was thrilled to find out about this book, and even more thrilled to read it. While there is much here that makes me ashamed of our species, there is also great entertainment, a terrific conservation message, and much to challenge the notion that we have been given, or assumed, "domininion" over the birds and the beasts. Mr. Chambers interweaves the sad fate of these fantastic creatures with the foibles and passions of such ... Read More



Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - An exciting natural history adventure book
Paul Chambers writes well. He is also an exceptional researcher and storyteller. I had heard Chambers speak on one of the BBC's NakedScientists podcasts and not only enjoyed his profound knowledge but also his sense of restrained drama.

Yet I picked up this book twice before making the purchase. How could a feminist and museologist find something of interested in a natural history history of the giant tortoise. Something told me to take the plunge and make the purchase. Within the first ... Read More



Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - Concise, comprehensive, yet thorough history of the worlds giant tortoises
I am ashamed. I knew little about giant tortoises except that Darwin had one named Harriet and that there are some that live in the hills of the Galapagos that go into warm volcanic soil to lay their eggs. Had I chanced upon this book before my visit to the Mascarene Islands, I would've given these ancient, magnificent, and awe-inspiring reptiles their deserved attention when I met them.

Paul Chambers has done a remarkable job in recognising the characters of his audience as he has delivered ... Read More



Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - Nifty Journey with Very Large Turtles!!!
This is a flawless study of how huge tortoises were at first discovered, then eaten, then sold for their oil and shells, bred, and analyzed by a lot of top zoologists, including Darwin himself! Also, a nice look at the human and biological history of the Galopagos Islands, where the author claims that tortoises and their evolution were as important to Darwin's ideas as the more famous finches. One tortoise still living has been said to be a survivor of Darwin's menagerie, and the author studies the geneological ... Read More




 

 

 

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