Product Description

Finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards.

Dr. Thor Hanson, scientist and writer, brought the nascent gorilla tourist program in Bwindi National Park, located within Africa's Impenetrable Forest, to life. With grace and good humor Hanson navigates the local customs, mores and bureaucracy governing everything from love to superstition to build infrastructure, hire and train staff, fend off millions of ants among many other creatures while studying and acclimating the mountain gorillas to humans in their midst.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #142631 in Books
• Published on: 2008-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 284 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781933698199
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Review
"Like a warm cup of sweet Mexican atole on a cold morning, (The Impenetrable Forest) fills your belly and makes you smile." -- PeaceCorpsWriters.org

"...a downright wonderful book. A fine writer and a superb naturalist, he brings the true observer's eye and the artist's sensibility to one of the most compelling subjects in all natural history....an unforgettable book--funny, tragic and brilliant." -- Robert Michael Pyle, author of Sky Time in Gray's River and Where Bigfoot Walks

"Like a warm cup of sweet Mexican atole on a cold morning, the book fills your belly and makes you smile." -- Lawrence F. Lihosit, Across the Yucatan

"Thor Hanson's `The Impenetrable Forest' takes us on several remarkable journeys as he describes his experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer in a remote national park in Uganda: his personal journey into a new culture, a journey into the habitat of mountain gorillas, and a journey into the complex issues of conservation in a developing country. Hanson's lighthearted, yet poignant stories of life in Uganda make you feel like you are right next to him throughout his adventures and misadventures. Hanson's `coming of age' experiences in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park parallel the development of a new national park struggling to save the critically endangered mountain gorillas. The book uniquely intertwines the natural history of mountain gorillas with the culture of the people that live as their neighbors. Hanson's experiences were both happy and sad, stressing the bittersweet aspects of life in Africa. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a personal account, yet well-rounded view, of the conservation issues surrounding a charismatic species such as the mountain gorilla." -- Martha M. Robbins, PhD, Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology

"Thor Hanson's memoir is a fascinating and enjoyable read. Particularly timely, it gives us great insight into conservation and ecotourism in a world that is often harsh and cruel. More so, though, Impenetrable Forest transforms the mountain gorillas of Uganda and the people who care for them into deep, complex, loving characters. " -- Garth Stein, New York Times bestselling author of The Art of Racing in the Rain

Fascinating...very well-written -- Gorilla Journal

If you love to read about people who've made a difference, Thor's life--full of successes and disappointments--makes a fascinating, inspiring memoir. -- John Coyne, Living on the Edge: Fiction by Peace

This book is a `fun-read' that provides an insider's account of life in the remote African bush as a Peace Corps volunteer.... Great reading for everyone with a sense of adventure and interested in protecting our natural world. -- Craig R. Sholley, African Wildlife Foundation

Thor Hanson's memoir is a fascinating and enjoyable read. Particularly timely, it gives us great insight into conservation and ecotourism in a world that is often harsh and cruel. More so, though, Impenetrable Forest transforms the mountain gorillas of Uganda and the people who care for them into deep, complex, loving characters. -- Garth Stein, New York Times bestselling author of The Art of Racing in the Rain

From the Publisher
Award-Winner in the nature category of the National Best Books 2008 Awards, sponsored by USA Book News.

From the Author
As a biologist, working with endangered mountain gorillas deepened my understanding of evolution, animal behavior, and the critical interface between people and the natural world. Personally, my time in Uganda gave me friendships and insights that crossed wide cultural boundaries. The Impenetrable Forest describes a transformative period of my life and will always be a special book to me.

Customer Reviews

A Great Read About Mountain Gorillas and Life in Uganda
This is a great book. Written in a clear, easy-to-read style the author does a great job of weaving together descriptions of the mountain gorillas in Bwindi National Park with descriptions of the Uganda people and their culture, the politics and history of the country and other aspects of his experiences there. If you are looking for a book with detailed, scientifically-oriented analysis of the mountain gorillas, this is not the book for you, nor is this the book for you if you are looking for great color photographs of the animals and the country (he only has black and white photos of so-so quality). But, if what you are looking for is a book that allows you to learn about a variety of aspects of life in Uganda, its people and the gorillas this is a great choice. It would be the perfect book to read prior to a trip to the region to see the park and its gorilla population.

Excellent view of the Culture in Uganda at the start of Ecotourism
Excellent view of Uganda and the culture of both the people and wildlife in existence at the start of the eco-tourism movement in that part of the world. The ability to experience the world of Thor as he was experiencing the joys and hardships as he co-existed with the people and animals of Uganda was fascinating.

I really "felt" as though I was right there with him as he became accustomed to the new way of life - intertwined with his new culture, gaining acceptance with the natives.

An excellent read!

Jim Sandler
Vernon, N.J.

What a great book!
Thor Hanson has introduced me to a place I now would love to travel to. After reading this book I feel like I'm friends not only with Thor--who has a great sense of humor and an interest in all living things--but with the people and gorillas of Bwindi. Without being lectured to I learned about the habits and habitats of mountain gorillas, the many ways to make and enjoy the local beer or wine, the history and politics of Uganda and when and why you should paint a baboon's back end white! I highly recommend this book.