Tracks and Shadows: Field Biology as Art

by Harry W. Greene

"This book is an immediate classic."
—Jim Harrison, author of Legends of the Fall

"Achingly beautiful. . . . Greene succeeds in illuminating the world as a place of beauty, harmony, and danger, deeply interconnected and worthy of cherishing and preserving." —Starred Review, Publisher's Weekly

Intellectually rich, intensely personal, and beautifully written, Tracks and Shadows is both an absorbing autobiography of a celebrated field biologist and a celebration of beauty in nature. Harry W. Greene, award-winning author of Snakes: The Evolution of Mystery in Nature, delves into the poetry of field biology, showing how nature eases our existential quandaries. More than a memoir, the book is about the wonder of snakes, the beauty of studying and understanding natural history, and the importance of sharing the love of nature with humanity.

Greene begins with his youthful curiosity about the natural world and moves to his stints as a mortician's assistant, ambulance driver, and army medic. In detailing his academic career, he describes how his work led him to believe that nature’s most profound lessons lurk in hard-won details. He discusses the nuts and bolts of field research and teaching, contrasts the emotional impact of hot dry habitats with hot wet ones, imparts the basics of snake biology, and introduces the great explorers Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace. He reflects on friendship and happiness, tackles notions like anthropomorphism and wilderness, and argues that organisms remain the core of biology, science plays key roles in conservation, and natural history offers an enlightened form of contentment.

Read an excerpt here:

Tracks and Shadows: Field Biology as Art by University of California Press

Listen to an interview with the author here: http://www.ucpress.edu/blog/16128/new...

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Nature, Natural History, Art, Ecology, Science Nature

280 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Harry W. Greene is the Stephen Weiss Presidential Fellow and Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Cornell University and the recipient of the E.O. Wilson Award from the American Society of Naturalists. His book Snakes: The Evolution of Mystery in Nature (UC Press), won the PEN Literary Award and was a New York Times Notable Book.

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ate this up as a former aspiring herpetologist. If you aren't into snakes, this may not be the book for you.

[Susan Swiderski · Rating 4 out of 5]

"We will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught." [Sengalese environmentalist BABA DIOUM]

That quote, as cited in this book's final chapter, admirably sums up one of the primary driving forces behind Greene's career as a herpetologist and professor. He readily admits that society as a whole doesn't naturally experience warm fuzzy feelings when it comes to snakes. Matter of fact, gut reactions usually lean more towards... gutting them. But that doesn't mean conservation efforts should only be extended to cute cuddly critters, does it? Shouldn't society be guided by a desire to preserve nature's diversity... in all its forms? Through decades dedicated to field and lab studies, learning about nature, and subsequently teaching others, Greene has attempted to remove the shroud of fear and mystery surrounding snakes, and to replace it with understanding. With education comes appreciation.

This book's largest target audience is probably found among academic and scientific professionals. Those who are already familiar with the scientists and educators discussed within its pages can nod their heads together in agreement, and can chuckle at the inside jokes and anecdotes. But that doesn't mean others can't enjoy it, too. Anyone who's in love with nature... and isn't that most of us?... should enjoy the vivid descriptions of places most of us will never visit, and animals most of us will never encounter in the wild. My favorites? The rainforest, followed closely by the desert. It isn't likely that I'll ever see either of those places in person, but I almost feel as though I've been there now. I almost feel as though that giant green anaconda slipped through MY hands.

How would I characterize this book? Part text book, part autobiography, part poetic prose. Did I like it? Yes. Do i now love snakes? Um, no... but I DO have a better understanding and appreciation for them. And I'd say that's exactly what the author was trying to accomplish. For me, this book was a ... natural selection.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tracks and Shadows: Field Biology As Art, is not a photography book. Harry W. Greene and his fellow biologists feel things so passionately and think so creatively in the field, it is their work that is elevated to art. While the author is more of a scientist than a writer, I found myself frequently captivated by his stories, explanations and descriptions. The parting chapters have left me unable to get the concept of rewilding out of my mind..."Imagine a Serengeti vista on our Great Plains..."

[Brian Switek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Greene mixes herpetological biography, field memoir, and conservation editorial with mixed results in this wide-ranging book. Part I plods along as background, but once we meet Greene in his journeys following snakes the book takes on a more pleasant pace. At the very least, Greene's enthusiasm for squamates will help you see the beauty in a pissed-off rattlesnake or a boa in repose on a rainforest branch.

[Turtleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many books filled with empty facts about animals and there are also many about people’s personal experience with nature, but lacking intellectual depth. Greene’s book offers fascinating insights into snake biology and evolutionary history from a true expert, but also portrays the human side of exploring nature, conducting science and struggling through life. This fusion would not work without Greene’s evocative writing that captures both the richness of biological life and the fragility of our own lives. This is not just a book for snake lovers, but for anyone enthralled by nature and life itself.

[Jared · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging memoir of a renowned field biologist. His personal accounts go into depth about the ups and downs of a biologist and the mentors and colleagues who contributed to his perspectives. At times the book seems to wander aimlessly, like a field biologist searching for their species, but the tales give way to a perspective on life from a unique source. His chapters on large snakes and venomous snakes are top quality for sure. His final chapters really take you into his mind and demonstrate that the scientists can be deep thinkers without being too philosophical.

[Michael Davis.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Especially for those contemplating what meaning and value may lie in career of pure research and/or ecological/evolutionary/zoological studies.
Personal accounts mixed in with interesting mini-biographies of some of great zoologists/ecologists like Grinnell, and Fitch.

Since I got to meet Dr. Greene at "Pit Vipers 2", my signed copy is one of my cherished books.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Got to 57% and then got busy and it was returned to the library before I could finish.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the science and the life chronicled here are fascinating, the organization is so nonsensical that's it's difficult to focus on any overarching narrative.

[Ryan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing to say the least. With all due respect to the author, who is by all counts an eminent biologist and educator associated with top flight academic and research institutions, this semi-autobiography just did not work as a cohesive book. Seems like Greene collected a life time of field notes and diary entries, putting them all together in very rough chronological sequence. Along the way he throws in the life stories of other scientists he admires, in detail matching the account of his own life i.e. way too much for the reader to care. We are also given lengthy write ups on countless characters, friends and peers, students etc. that he had met over the years. In the middle there is finally some marginally more interesting chapters on snake biology and natural history of constrictors and venomous snakes, mixed in with descriptions of many field trips both in the States and in Costa Rica, but these fail to make up for the rest of the book, which for me was tedious to go through. I expected to gain some profound insights into the practice of natural history from someone who devoted his life to the professional study of it, but unfortunately this book came up short.

[Neha · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a current field biologist and aspiring herpetologist, this book was an absolute pleasure to read! Greene's passion and dedication to his art shines through his seemingly effortless writing. And his anecdotes about conference conversations and excursions with fellow biologists feel like catching up with an old friend over a cup of coffee.

His view on conservation and natural history is also spot on and I could see his words becoming highly influential in the near future, if not already!

"We will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught" - Baba Dioum

Highly recommended. Especially for biologists.

[Jim Angstadt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an unusual book; part memories, part a remembrance of accomplished friends, part a history of early jobs, part the attitude of someone totally interested in nature in general, and herps in particular.

It is an enticing read, although one wonders about the overall structure and goals.

Yet, the narrative is true and compelling.

I bailed after reading about a forth of the book. The lack of organization was a fatal flaw.

[Tuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

an autobiography, love letter/how-to for naturalists, stories about snakes and other herps. not so much a cohesive diapers to death bio, but rather a collection of essays of his youth, wartime, grad school and beyond, 'field biology as art". has pics, endnotes, bibliography, and index to die for.
author won PEN literary award for his book "snakes", a very good, entertaining writer.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look at the life of one field biologist. Nice look at nature as art and as good for the soul. Author sometimes seemed like a guy who was attracted to snakes for their macho cache, but at least he was honest about it

[Becca]

Great! His introspection about field biology really reflected my own.

[David P. Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

A natural read for every naturalist

Greene has an expansive view on his work and life and does a fine job writing a richly noted record of what he has learned from the field.