Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas

Although called "Primates", this is really about the (other) great apes*, and three women who were inspired by Louis Leakey to study them: Jane Goodall (chimpanzees), Dian Fossey (gorillas), and Birute Galdikas (orangutans). Having read books by each of these women, this overview rings largely true, although it is obviously not a very deep look at its subjects.Reading this book you will get an introduction to Louis Leakey, the famed fossil hunter of east Africa. Unconventional and an outsider to the anthropological community, he was long disregarded and looked down on from their ivory towers. Between some spectacular discoveries, his flair as a showman, and the world stage offered him by the National Geographic Society, he became the public face of paleoanthropology. This led to great public interest in the topic, but probably also led to Leakey being overvalued by the public as the key figure in the area.Leakey understood that to understand people and our ancestry we also needed to understand our closest relatives. Thus he recruited or sponsored Goodall, Fossey, and Galdikas. Each made breakthroughs in our understanding of their respective apes, but this book is more about their stories than their discoveries. Some key discoveries are mentioned, but I would have liked this book to offer a little larger window into our relatives.These women's stories are interesting and inspiring. Until I read them juxtaposed in this book it hadn't occurred to me how the personality of each somewhat mirrored the ape she studied. Goodall seems the best able to move from the field into the public eye, and she studied the very social chimpanzees. Fossey, who became a fierce protector of gorillas, eventually being killed in her quest to save them, most likely by someone her efforts had caused problems for, studied gorillas, who live in small groups which fiercely protect their own. Galdikas, who has stayed more out of the limelight, choose the reclusive orangutans.This is a quick to read, nicely illustrated introduction to three remarkable women and "their" apes. With luck, it will inspire some readers to read the books they, themselves, wrote. "Primates" should be accessible to a young teen, while still being interesting to an adult.I was provided a copy for review by the publisher, but have purchased a copy of the final version for a niece.* Bonobos used to be viewed as a subspecies of chimpanzees, but are now considered a separate, but closely related, species, so we now recognize four other species of great apes.

The surprising and groundbreaking stories of the three greatest primatologists: Goodall/chimpanzees, Fossey/gorillas and Galdikas/orangutans, is told in graphic novel form. The author illustrator team based their work on extensive study of the scientists’ lives and work but fictionalized some dialogue and compressed events producing a vivid story that conveys the spirit of the women, the tenor of their times, the difficulty of their living conditions and the quality of their discoveries.Wicks clean, engaging, Herge-like drawings bring humor and clarity: illuminating the character of the individuals, their study subjects and their intertwined relationships. Sequenced panels adeptly convey the ape behavior the women observed and comically represent their less than decorous reactions. The book entertains but does not pander: Leakey’s womanizing is alluded to, marriages fail and readers must use observational skills to get the most from the story. Fossey's death is referred to, but her murder is not mentioned. Lively and humorous yet respectful, Primates piques interest in three inspiring lives but does not attempt to answer all questions or convey the full scope of the women's discoveries. An Afterword and Bibliography point the way to more information.

Great comic! I'm a teacher so having any nudity could get me in trouble so I wanted to be sure you all knew on page 5, bottom left panel, there's a bit of nudity. I'm sorry to the author and artist, but I did black out the nudity with a sharpie so I could have this in my classroom. There's some implied nudity on page 15. There's a naked baby booty on page 37.Overall a very good read!

Id like to be clear i am not just unhappy because i was expecting this to be a suitable science book for young kids. Even when viewing it with an older audience in mind, I was not impressed.If you want a short summary of their lives, this book is excellent. And the art style is very endearing. Its not unpleasant to read by any means.But it reads like an autobiography. Jane did this. Jane said that. Jane went home.Also, and there is no good way the author could avoid some of this, we are talking about the 1960s and Leaky. It goes out of its way to mention with both Goodall and Fossey that Leaky flat-out said he was only hiring them because they are women and studying chimp is womens work because they are soft, patient, and passive. That may very well be true, i dont know, but its not something i want to program a younger reader with. It also discusses wives being jealous and women needing chaperones because Goodall, because Leaky showed such an intense interest in her when she had no credentials, was suspected of picking her for lets call it extra-curricular reasons. its just a very awkward couple of comments that seem very out of place. My skin crawled and this book will never see the light of day, unless someone has to do a book report and only has 2 hours before class.

My daughter loves this book. She is a big fan of Jane Goodall and enjoys learning all about Primates.

This is a wonderful book that takes the reader into the world of these larger than life primatologists that have changed how we view the great apes. The drawings add to the stories,bringing forth the world and challenges of studying chimps,gorillas and orangutans. This is a book i will read and reread again and again. Anyone who is a fan of Jane Goodall,Dian Fossy and Birute Gallikas will enjoy this journey into the world of the great apes. This is also a creative graphic novel, a form of reading that may appeal to younger people and encourage them to enter the field of primatology.

i bought this for my son's birthday so i only had a quick scan through it before finding a hiding place for it. from what i gathered in my quick scan its pitched at anyone from young teens to adults and documents the trials and tribulations of three leading ape researchers. the drawings are lovely, especially the little orang who is perpetually attached to Birute. Can't wait for my boy's birthday so i can steal it off him and read it properly

Loved this book, really enjoyed the style of this book and learning all Jane, Diane and Biruté. I would have loved a bit more detail but think it’s aimed more to the younger audience and I’m sure will capture the heart of many.

as a primate fan, it is a great read by a great auther it gives justice to those who dedicated their life to the protection of our worlds primates and an insite into their lives

I am a primatologist, and can't be more happy about this book. The three stories have a funny touch, which makes the book even better. The illustrations are beautiful. I'm giving this book to my primatologist friends, because it's simply amazing.

Bought as a present. Great condition and very well received