I love Jane Goodall, but this wasn't quite as powerful as I expected it to be. It was interesting reading about spiritual views from a scientist, and I loved her detailed descriptions of her time in Gombe with the chimpanzees. Goodall really has experienced a lot of sadness and horror in her life and it was inspiring to see how she always managed to turn back to faith. But a lot of the book was just too preachy for me and (do I dare say this? Yes, I dare) too Christian. I guess when I picked up the book I expected almost a Native American type of spiritual view of the world rather than the same sort of Christian ideas that have been pounded in me since birth (though Goodall does learn to find God in nature more than anywhere else). Still, I found myself much more absorbed in her tales of Africa and sighing in frustration whenever she came to one of her long religious tangents. Also, the book felt very scattered and unfocused to me. But in the end, I still love Jane Goodall. I love what she has done for the earth, for nature and for animals, and this book really did make me love her even more.

2 1/2 stars

This was an okay read. If I would have bothered to pay attention to the second half of the title of this book. "A Spiritual Journey" I probably wouldn't have bothered, truthfully. I was interested in Jane Goodall's life and the chimps. I was not that interested in Jane Goodall's spiritual journey.

Getting back to Jane. I need to realize
1. I'm different.
2. It's okay that I'm different.
3. Someday more people will be different (care about the world, etc.)

Meanwhile, I've found a freakishly awesome fair trade clothing company that has amazing skirts. It is called butterfly mama.

What an absolutely wonderfully insightful, serious yet inspiring book this was! And to think that I came across it on a whim! A Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey was a book that I selected on the library website on a whim since I knew who Jane Goodall was but didn't know much more about her beyond the fact that she was a famous anthropologist.

I was not prepared for the brilliant insights into this woman's life and thoroughly enjoyed reading about her understanding of life, science, spirituality, religion, humanity, animal behaviour and nature and environmental stewardship. I found my own thoughts in some of her ramblings and a deep appreciation for the gift that she has given the world.

I also truly felt the hope that she was trying to share when she discussed her reasons for hope being:

"(1) the human brain; (2) the resilience of nature; (3) the energy and enthusiasm that is found or can be kindled among young people worldwide; and (4) the indomitable human spirit."

In her writing, it is evident that she is quite a sophisticated, intelligent, enlightened woman and her insights are simply beautiful. Her thoughts on the "civilized" world after being immersed in Gombe for so long really struck a chord with me as I felt completely the same way after experiencing time camping or being in a remote area.

The only reason why I did not give this book 5 stars was because the book changed its pace around the mid to last section of it and slowed down a bit and became wordy in an unnecessary way.

This is the kind of book you have for a couple years, having bought it at a used book store for a couple bucks, but it sits around, until one day you spy it on your shelf and decide to toss it in your bag "just in case." Then when you open it to start reading, the next thing you know, it's been an hour and you're already on page 54!

Amazon reviewers have called Jane Goodall not a "great writer" but I feel like the simple style contributes to the flow of the writing - you don't realize how fast you are devouring the words yet it's not difficult to understand, nor is it boring.

The title, Reason for Hope, is so apt. I consider myself a pretty cynical person, but the way Jane Goodall writes, and her stories, everything comes together so well that maybe, just maybe, you think there is a reason to hope.

Reason for Hope is aptly named. This book is not for cynics. Throughout this novel hope is weaved even after devastating events, personal and otherwise to Jane Goodall. This paints Goodall as a fascinating and stubbornly hopeful person, which in some manner begins to effect the reader. This is certainly a 'spiritual journey' and it requires an open mind to read. But if you go in reading with an open mind then you most certainly will find hope or inspiration in the awe-inspiring life of Jane Goodall.

Jane Goodall is such an inspiration. I bought this book when I first met her and have now also had the opportunity to hear a few of her lectures. As a former student of anthropology myself, I find her chapters on chimp research, Olduvai Gorge and cultural speciation fascinating. However it is her continuing consideration of human nature and spirituality that is truly inspiring.

I have long admired Jane Goodall's honoring of nature and our interconnectedness. I enjoyed learning more about her and how she came to her work.