We also get a taste of life in the Kalahari desert in the middle of Botswana, some of the hardships and life-threatening situations encountered by the Owenses. And we share the issues and concerns they tried to raise in the governments and landowners of the territories where they spent seven years living and studying animals.

At various times this book made me smile. It made me mad. It made me sad. It made me laugh. And it made me wish I could spend a few years of my life studying and living among wildlife as they did.


Spectacular and IMPORTANT   March 10, 2000
 9 out of 12 found this review helpful

The book is a true masterpiece. Moving, funny and heartbreaking. People need to read this to see what animals truly face in the wild, and how we make their lives even more difficult. Its an eye opening account of how we must care for and defend our wildlife. The accounts of devistation to animals just trying to get water to survive is probably the saddest account of animal cruelty I have ever read. Mark and Delia tell a story that MUST BE HEARD!


Authors used their hearts to put you in the bush   June 11, 1999
 3 out of 5 found this review helpful

the authors were able to put their honest feelings across to me so well that i felt as though I was actually in the story. I could hear the lions roaring and see the hyenas going through the spotlights.


How depressing, how inspiring!   June 2, 1999
 2 out of 3 found this review helpful

Follow the path of two dedicated zoologists as they literally fend for their lives and those of the creatures they study. This is an excellent account of the hardships and necessary sacrifices that research scientists face. Mark and Delia are an inspiration to any young biologist. This book delves into the emotional and provocative side of science that is not displayed in scientific journals. If only we could get our world leaders to read this book...


It will make you laugh and cry and everything in between.   April 22, 1999
 8 out of 9 found this review helpful

This is an incredibly well written book for animal lovers, nature lovers, and environmentalists, and if you aren't any of the above, you will be. It shows how individual animals each have their own personality: shy, funny, mischievous, affectionate, docile. It proves how mankind is willing to sacrifice animals' lives and environment for the sake of money, be it diamond mining, hunting, cattle grazing, or whatever suits the wallet. Their should be more people who realize and are willing to try to do something about it, like Mark and Delia Owens.