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The Windward Road: Adventures of a Naturalist on Remote Caribbean Shores
The Windward Road , published in 1956, made history. When Archie Carr began to rove the Caribbean to write about sea turtles, he saw that their numbers were dwindling. Out of this appeal to save them grew the first ventures in international sea turtle conservation and the establishment of the Caribbean Conservation Corporation.
In addition to sea turtle biology, Carr recorded his general impressions, producing a natural history sprinkled with colorful stories.
In addition to sea turtle biology, Carr recorded his general impressions, producing a natural history sprinkled with colorful stories.
277 pages, Paperback
First published March 28, 1979
14 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
About the author
Archie Carr
23 books10 followersArchie Carr was a University of Florida Graduate Research Professor of Zoology and was associated with the University for more than fifty years. His entire career was spent at the University of Florida, first as a student, B.A. (1932), M.S. (1934), and as the University’s first Ph.D. (1937) in zoology.
His ability to translate science into literature brought the first international attention to the plight of sea turtles. He wrote 11 books and over 120 scientific articles about sea turtles and their habitats before his death in 1987. His work and writings ranged throughout Florida, the Caribbean, and Africa. After his death, he was honored with the creation of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge in Florida and the Dr. Archie Carr Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica.
Archie Carr published his first paper on sea turtles in 1942, but it was not until he wrote his classic Handbook of Turtles (1952) that he began to focus his research on sea turtles. He described his early discoveries about the plight of sea turtles in his book The Windward Road particularly in his chapter The Passing of the Fleet, which was a call to arms and resulted in global efforts to conserve sea turtles from extinction.
Archie Carr was one of those rare individuals who could inspire both scientific and general public audiences with his writings. His genius and creativity were allowed full scope because the University of Florida awarded him a graduate research professorship in 1959, essentially freeing him of all responsibilities so that he could pursue his research and writing. He repaid that investment many-fold.
In 1987 he was awarded the Eminent Ecologist Award by the Ecological Society of America. He made extraordinary contribution to sea turtle conservation by way of bringing attention to the world's declining turtle populations due to over-exploitation and loss of safe habitat.
Source: University of Florida; http://accstr.ufl.edu/accstr-overview...
His ability to translate science into literature brought the first international attention to the plight of sea turtles. He wrote 11 books and over 120 scientific articles about sea turtles and their habitats before his death in 1987. His work and writings ranged throughout Florida, the Caribbean, and Africa. After his death, he was honored with the creation of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge in Florida and the Dr. Archie Carr Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica.
Archie Carr published his first paper on sea turtles in 1942, but it was not until he wrote his classic Handbook of Turtles (1952) that he began to focus his research on sea turtles. He described his early discoveries about the plight of sea turtles in his book The Windward Road particularly in his chapter The Passing of the Fleet, which was a call to arms and resulted in global efforts to conserve sea turtles from extinction.
Archie Carr was one of those rare individuals who could inspire both scientific and general public audiences with his writings. His genius and creativity were allowed full scope because the University of Florida awarded him a graduate research professorship in 1959, essentially freeing him of all responsibilities so that he could pursue his research and writing. He repaid that investment many-fold.
In 1987 he was awarded the Eminent Ecologist Award by the Ecological Society of America. He made extraordinary contribution to sea turtle conservation by way of bringing attention to the world's declining turtle populations due to over-exploitation and loss of safe habitat.
Source: University of Florida; http://accstr.ufl.edu/accstr-overview...
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 11, 2020
Archie Carr ecologist, conservationist and gifted author, wrote the delightful “The Windward Road” published in 1955. The author tells his story of exploring many remote areas of the Caribbean, with great passion and humor. His fascination and respect for sea turtles led him to extensively study their migration and habitats. Dr Carr is considered the father of sea turtle research and conservation. His field work and protection efforts spanning 30 years saved the green sea turtle from extinction. I was fortunate to discover this work in a box of my dad’s books, and I remember that Archie Carr was one of his favorite authors. I look forward to reading more by Archie Carr!
August 22, 2021
I’ve read several books by naturalists from this era, but this one made me cringe. It also was pretty outdated with the information he provided and the things he did not know. The other authors from this time were able to cover up their lack of information. The types of (what would be considered now) animal abuse was just too much. He also tried to be poetic at times and it was detracting from the overall flow of the book. I tried hard to keep pushing through but just couldn’t finish…
June 29, 2022
NF
252 pages
I enjoyed Carr's stories of adventure
as he studied turtles.
252 pages
I enjoyed Carr's stories of adventure
as he studied turtles.
January 29, 2024
A classic of nature writing. It is a little outdated but still a delightful read with many fun stories of the author’s work in the Caribbean in the 1950s.
August 12, 2018
Taking you back to an unfamiliar world and and set in another time period, Archie Carr expertly narrates his travels throughout the Caribbean seas. From patiently watching the lively Petes (sloths) and strolling the turtle beaches of Costa Rica, Carr permits the reader to see the world through his trained naturalist eyes. Covering stories from one journey and expedition to another on various islands and coasts, his quest for filling in the gaps of scientific knowledge are made known to through commentary on his motives and reasons for being in the remote regions of the Caribbean. While focusing on the sea turtle populations, the diversity of life in the tropics often leads to tales of other natural wonders, such as the lively Petes and the Paradox frog. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was never dull and depicted the stories of his adventures in a creative and descriptive manner. The only critique I have is of the transitions between chapters. It jumps from expedition and location without warning and lacks a timeline used to relate his many travels to one another. In a way this is fitting as it is his journey down a road, which is tossed and turned by the winds of uncertainty, unpredictability, and unrelenting Costa Rican pilots.
January 14, 2010
Great travelogue. Story of sea turtle conservation from pioneer in this field. Great way to voyage to the tropics, especially central america, without leaving a couch. Excellent writing - kinda in the line of Aldo Leopold writing - strong spark of naturalist/nature throughout.
June 5, 2012
What an insight into the life and thinking processes of a natural scientist in the golden age of 50s. How amazing to see the life and style of a world past. It made me think of the knowledge that we take for granted today. Very enjoyable.
September 8, 2012
A book from my husband's shelves.
Full of small and important stories about the beginning of the discovery of ocean life.
Written in the 40's. A time I will not know but have a small understanding of now.
Full of small and important stories about the beginning of the discovery of ocean life.
Written in the 40's. A time I will not know but have a small understanding of now.
August 30, 2013
While in undergrad in Zoology at UF I never had a class with Archie Carr, however we did study him in English Lit. That's how well he wrote. Been many years since I read the last book of his. This brought back many memories. He was an exceptional man both in the wild in academia.
January 15, 2009
This is a lovely book. I read it my preteen son who also loved it.
June 18, 2010
Archi Carr was my idol in my late college days. The founder of sea turtle conservation and a great nature writer.
January 4, 2011
If you feel like taking a trip to warm, sandy beaches, this book will take you there.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews