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heregrim's review against another edition
5.0
I love this, and if Douglas Adams couldn't write the sequel then Mark Carwardine did a remarkable job making me feel his presence on every page. His joy at the animals, even the adorable ugly ones, is contagious and really makes the book a true joy to read.
mazza57's review against another edition
3.0
This was a well written and enjoyable account of some of the most endangered animals on the planet.
srreid's review against another edition
5.0
Took me a while to read, but that was mainly as this was my bathroom book, so only a few pages were getting read at a time. But what a wonderful book. Following on from the adventures Mark had with Douglas Adams 20 years previously, Mark returned to some of the same places to see what had changed, but this time he took another author and legend with him in the shape of Stephen Fry. There is so much humour in this book it is a pleasure to read, Mark's writing style is superb without going into any technical detail. Stephen doesn't seem to fit into the mould of a nature traveller at all, but he gives it his all, to some minor mishaps along the way, with his usual amount of good humour. These two make an excellent pairing and i would love to see them do it all again down the line.
heregrim's review against another edition
5.0
I love this, and if Douglas Adams couldn't write the sequel then Mark Carwardine did a remarkable job making me feel his presence on every page. His joy at the animals, even the adorable ugly ones, is contagious and really makes the book a true joy to read.
trish204's review
5.0
Genau wie der Vorgänger von Douglas Adams, versteht sich das Buch darauf, einem die atemberaubenden Landschaften und Tiere und ihre teilweise fast ausweglose Lage auf einzigartige Weise näher zu bringen. Ich hatte mir das Buch "nur" als Bonus zu den DVDs gekauft, aber ich muss gestehen, es hat seinen ganz eigenen Reiz. Wundervolle Fotos machen die Aufmachung nochmal lebendiger und Stephen Fry's Humor (aber auch der von Mark Carwardine!) bringen einen oft zum Lachen. Es war einfach toll durch das Buch zu stöbern und die Geschichten der Tiere nachzuverfolgen, die schon vor 20 Jahren einmal erzählt worden sind - teilweise mit sehr traurigem Ergebnis!
thebriceiswrite's review
Mark is not as clever or witty as Douglas Adams' (but, really, no one is). However, when he's not shamelessly borrowing funny lines from the previous book, he is genuine, heartfelt, and even moving. Required reading if you've watched the BBC TV show, since this tells the awesome backstories.
philantrop's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
4.0
You might wipe your eyes and wonder “Haven’t I seen this title before?”; and, yes, you might have because this is a follow-up on the original book “Last Chance to See” by the late-and-yet-immortalised Douglas (Noël) Adams (DNA) and Mark Carwardine.
I love the first book as it is testament to DNA’s manyfold interests and his engagement in several fields. Not to mention his trademark humour.
This time around, Mark Carwardine, British zoologist and conservationist, is joined on a series of trips by Stephen Fry who is a worthy successor for Adams albeit not quite as funny.
As in the original, the authors have done a marvellous job of blending witty humour with profound insights into the world of endangered species. Carwardine's expertise as a zoologist and conservationist, in conjunction with Fry's linguistic prowess, creates an enchanting and deeply engaging narrative throughout the book. The duo retraces the steps of the original journey undertaken by Adams and Carwardine about 20 years earlier (around 1990), lending the book an air of nostalgia that is both heart-warming and tantalising.
What struck me most about this book was how the authors managed to maintain the essence of Adams' classic while infusing it with their own unique perspectives. The book is replete with vivid descriptions of the many endangered species they encounter, as well as the oftentimes precarious situations the authors find themselves in. I found myself chuckling at many (but not all) their humorous anecdotes and, at the same time, feeling a sense of responsibility towards the fragile ecosystems they describe.
In addition and to its great benefit, the book is peppered with captivating photographs that brilliantly capture the essence of the species and habitats discussed - and sometimes of the authors themselves. Especially a series of portrait shots of “The many moods of Amazon adventurer and explorer Stephen Fry” was highly amusing.
A very memorable part for me was about the Yangtze River dolphin: The last known specimen of its kind died in 2002. In less than two decades, during the prime of responsibility of my own generation, while we, the world, were well aware of their looming extinction, we eradicated an entire species of highly intelligent animals. And many other species, including the first book’s Northern white rhino, are gone as well.
However, it is not all doom and gloom. Carwardine and Fry also share stories of hope and resilience, showcasing the tireless work of conservationists around the world. Through their storytelling, they inspire readers to take an active role in preservation efforts, urging us all to become stewards of the environment.
All in all, this book is a fitting tribute to the original work and a splendidly engaging read in its own right. Mark Carwardine and Stephen Fry have woven a tapestry of wit, wisdom, and wonder that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. It doesn’t quite reach its predecessor’s genius but is still a great read.
Four out of five stars.
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