“While working in Uganda with chimpanzees Woods met the man, Brian Hare, that she would later marry. It was Brian who introduced her to the existence of bonobos. Yes, apparently she didn't even know what they were, which is odd for someone who worked so long with chimpanzees. Later she notes that she only recently found out that North and South Korea were different countires. I felt a little concerned for her. She's Australian and at this moment I want to assure anyone reading this that we have high standards when it comes to education. Anyway, you can hopefully see I was a little worried how the book would pan out. Well, I underestimated her. This book was outstanding.
Bonobo Handshake is structured perfectly. Woods details the experience of travelling to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the research she has done with chimpanzees and bonobos. Added to that she also describes the political landscape of the country, the effects of the genocide in neighbouring Rwanda, and the rich mineral resources some which are used in the technology we all use. The fact that the bonobos live in a war-torn country (nowhere else in the world) adds to their plight. This was such an emotional read and also a highly enlightening one. I hope to in the future do some further reading on bonobos.”
Justin M wrote this review Monday, January 16, 2012.
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