Goodall provides 10 reasons that we should have hope for the future of the planet and humans. Good read.

Absolutely fantastic. I was at a used bookstore in Connecticut and happened to find a FIRST EDITION of this book from BORDERS (rip to that icon that was Borders). I was so excited when I picked it up. Growing up in the 2000s when there was a huge emphasis on the environment to kids, I idolized Jane Goodall, so finding this was fate.

The book at its core is about Jane’s spiritual journey throughout her life (growing up in England during WW2, beginning her chimpanzee research, getting into chimpanzee/animal advocacy, etc). Seeing how everything related back to this journey was really beautiful. Spirituality and faith are also things that are never really spoken about or encouraged within the scientific community, but as she talks about, the two don’t have to be disconnected. Jane speaks from a place of love and respect for every belief.

The chapter at the end “Hope” really got to me (the whole book did, I cried throughout, but still). Being that this book was written in the late 90s, a lot of her reflections on hope for the future were not only about everyone alive back then doing there part to help the future, but also the cultivation of environmentally minded future generations, i.e. what we now know as Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and beyond. As a member of one of these generations, it was so interesting to see her viewpoint and all the steps being taken back then, and it makes me crave her perspective today.

I absolutely recommend this book to anyone and everyone from all walks of life, as she has an amazing perspective and offers incredible wisdom for not only the future of our planet, but the future of humanity.

Kathy said she wondered whether she'd read the same book as the other reviewers here. I sort of feel the same - I wouldn't have even made it to 50 pages if I hadn't been home the morning of book club. What I read just wasn't well written or compelling enough to keep me going. I guess these days I just don't have a lot of time for the memoirs of privileged people who don't acknowledge that their privilege (whiteness, Colonialism) sits at the foundation of their grand adventures.

Reading this close to “Ishmael” could be a good or bad thing as I feel they piggyback of each other nicely. YOU ARE HUMAN CHOOSE TO BE GOOD AND NOT SELFISH. YOU HAVE A CHOICE.

That’s pretty much the summary for both books and they both hit a nerve for me. If you know me you’d prob think I was already super familiar with Jane Goodall but not so. I knew she deals with issues that physically hurt my heart. I already boycott palm oil because of what happens to orangutans good lord I can’t handle hearing what devastation she has to report.

Most of the book was her views on religion and spirituality and while she’s more religious than I would have expected it was in a truly beautiful and inclusive way. Non judgemental of what god you may believe....just be a good and caring being in your own way. The lady is a literal saint. If she hasn’t been sainted they goddamn better. She captures lots of “existing in the moment” type snapshots of her life and I think it’s beautiful.

The whole book exudes her peaceful aura and was quite calming. Be excellent to each other (and critters too)

I have never had a book that spoke to me as much as this one. It touched me in the most raw way. It sounds cliche but it honestly covers every emotion imaginable. I felt like I found myself while reading this book.