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zachnachazel's review against another edition
4.0
What a fascinating group of people. It was fun to read anthropological work like back in college. I just couldn’t stop reading!
erintowner's review against another edition
5.0
This book almost made me cry. The Lamalerans' culture reminded me of the village I lived in in Tanzania. I loved learning about the tough choices people in this society are making as the world becomes more globalized but also the ways they are fulfilled and the joy in their lives as well. The author included balanced commentary on traditional versus industrialized ways of life, gender roles, conservation and hunting and the tension between duty and pursuing individual dreams. The book included beautiful writing about the sea which seemed important for understanding this seafaring culture. I feel like I know these individuals now. Highly recommend this one.
abitters's review against another edition
4.0
Painstakingly researched, this book puts you into the life of the tribe. Clark does an excellent job of staying out of the narrative giving the reader a clear and unbiased look into a disappearing way of life. Globalization is wiping out indigenous cultures and this book takes a close look at how progress isn’t always positive. Very informative and interesting. At times it gets a little long, however it is worth the work to read this thorough piece.
3nmeinob's review against another edition
5.0
A review I had read that led me to this book discussed the beauty of its writing first, the crafting of the story told, and the rare skill of description wielded by its author, and that the narrative, though incredible, and the reporting, though truly timely and exotic, were even outshined by the gifts of Doug Bock Clark.
For the most part, I concur; this is a gorgeously told story by a master craftsman, but I would argue that the story itself, and most important the characters in the story are clearly what inspire the beautiful writing. This is a human story - a story about humans navigating the world around them - navigating relationships, family, expectations, traditions, opportunities, social judgements, aspirations, and change.
Once I started, I wanted to be reading this tale whenever I was not, and when the final pages were all I had left, I found several reasons to stop reading simply so that it would not end. I miss the characters. I want to go back. Thank you, Mr. Clark, for taking me to Lamalera.
For the most part, I concur; this is a gorgeously told story by a master craftsman, but I would argue that the story itself, and most important the characters in the story are clearly what inspire the beautiful writing. This is a human story - a story about humans navigating the world around them - navigating relationships, family, expectations, traditions, opportunities, social judgements, aspirations, and change.
Once I started, I wanted to be reading this tale whenever I was not, and when the final pages were all I had left, I found several reasons to stop reading simply so that it would not end. I miss the characters. I want to go back. Thank you, Mr. Clark, for taking me to Lamalera.
smiley938's review against another edition
3.0
Surprisingly boring. The author clearly learned a lot about whaling, but all the detail is just extraneous and not interesting. I think the society and culture has a story worth telling, but this book didn't do it justice.
mweisenfeld's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
3.0