First published 1998
Globetrotting naturalist David Quammen embarks on a captivating expedition, trailing the groundbreaking work of island biogeographers. From the prickly tenrecs of Madagascar to the snake-plagued forests of Guam, he unravels the evolutionary secrets hidden within isolated landscapes. As human activity carves the world into ever-shrinking habitats, Quammen's insightful journey reveals the delicate balance sustaining Earth's remarkable biodiversity—and the looming threat of mass extinction.
Genres: nature, animals, 20th-century, adventure, environment, 21st-century, biology, academic
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: expedition, insightful-journey
Setting: Madagascar, Guam
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
704 pages · Hardcover · Prentice Hall & IBD