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liralen's review against another edition
3.0
"But have I ever been anywhere, anywhere in the world where people didn't think I was weird?" (196)
I'm reluctant to do a full review of this, because a lot of my reactions have less to do with the writing than with the author's perspective/thought processes, which is not necessarily fair. So, quick notes:
-Definitely another one for my hypothetical list of jobs I never knew I didn't want.
-Some really interesting material, if you can get past the author's impatience with everyone who isn't Harvard-educated and/or an expert in snakes and other cold-blooded creatures. She obviously loves her work.
-It was hard to get used to how little regard the author expresses for villagers, village life, etc. Had to keep reminding myself that I shouldn't expect her to take an anthropological viewpoint; her interest seems to be more in the what than in the why.
-Even with that in mind, geesh, a little basic respect...?
-Interesting that the grad students on the second trip had taken a "Village 101" course (205); given how much Jackson seems to struggle with the idea that things are not done the same way / as quickly / as directly / etc. as she's used to in the U.S. and Canada, I wonder whether she might've benefited from a cultural competency course as well.
-The travails described in the book aren't the end of it: it's worth checking out this article.
I'm reluctant to do a full review of this, because a lot of my reactions have less to do with the writing than with the author's perspective/thought processes, which is not necessarily fair. So, quick notes:
-Definitely another one for my hypothetical list of jobs I never knew I didn't want.
-Some really interesting material, if you can get past the author's impatience with everyone who isn't Harvard-educated and/or an expert in snakes and other cold-blooded creatures. She obviously loves her work.
-It was hard to get used to how little regard the author expresses for villagers, village life, etc. Had to keep reminding myself that I shouldn't expect her to take an anthropological viewpoint; her interest seems to be more in the what than in the why.
-Even with that in mind, geesh, a little basic respect...?
-Interesting that the grad students on the second trip had taken a "Village 101" course (205); given how much Jackson seems to struggle with the idea that things are not done the same way / as quickly / as directly / etc. as she's used to in the U.S. and Canada, I wonder whether she might've benefited from a cultural competency course as well.
-The travails described in the book aren't the end of it: it's worth checking out this article.
tigersmurf's review against another edition
4.0
Really good. Makes you really understand how difficult it is to be out in the field and all of the little unexpected things that can happen....
alexreadsbooks93's review against another edition
4.0
An great account of the joys and trials of fieldwork. Anyone brave enough to go catch snakes in the Congo deserves a lot of respect
satyridae's review
3.0
I enjoyed this account of two collecting trips to Congo very much. Right up to the botflies. *shudder* I'm freshly convinced that I never ever need to go there.
The writing was accessible, and I got a real feel for Jackson's prickly but vulnerable person as well as her intense love of herps. The gold standard of zoology collection memoirs for me is Gerald Durrell and though Jackson is neither as polished nor as hilarious, she holds up well in comparison.
Recommended for herp-heads and armchair travelers with strong constitutions.
The writing was accessible, and I got a real feel for Jackson's prickly but vulnerable person as well as her intense love of herps. The gold standard of zoology collection memoirs for me is Gerald Durrell and though Jackson is neither as polished nor as hilarious, she holds up well in comparison.
Recommended for herp-heads and armchair travelers with strong constitutions.
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