Between Man and Beast: An Unlikely Explorer and the African Adventure that Took the Victorian World by Storm

by Monte Reel

The unbelievably riveting adventure of an unlikely young explorer who emerged from the jungles of Africa with evidence of a mysterious, still mythical beast—the gorilla—only to stumble straight into the center of the biggest debate of the day: Darwin's theory of evolution

In 1856 Paul Du Chaillu marched into the equatorial wilderness of West Africa determined to bag an animal that, according to legend, was nothing short of a monster. When he emerged three years later, the summation of his efforts only hinted at what he'd experienced in one of the most dangerous regions on earth. Armed with an astonishing collection of zoological specimens, Du Chaillu leapt from the physical challenges of the jungle straight into the center of the biggest issues of the time—the evolution debate, racial discourse, the growth of Christian fundamentalism—and helped push each to unprecedented intensities. He experienced instant celebrity, but with that fame came whispers—about his past, his credibility, and his very identity—which would haunt the young man. Grand in scope, immediate in detail, and propulsively readable, Between Man and Beast brilliantly combines Du Chaillu's personal journey with the epic tale of a world hovering on the sharp edge of transformation.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Science, Africa, Biography, Animals, Evolution

432 pages, Paperback

First published March 5, 2013

About the author

MONTE REEL is the author of two previous books, Between Man and Beast and The Last of the Tribe. His writing has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, Harper's, and other magazines. He currently writes for Bloomberg Businessweek as part of its Projects & Investigations staff, and previously was a foreign correspondent for The Washington Post. He lives in Illinois.

Reviews

[Natacha Pavlov · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a bound review copy.

This book—written in clear, captivating prose—was an absolute page turner.
I’d never heard of Paul Du Chaillu but Monte Reel’s account not only succeeded at highlighting the era’s concern with racial and scientific issues—among which figured Darwinism—but also brought to life the story of the 19th century explorer. With crucial issues surrounding racial equality, the ancestry of man, and the treatment of animals, the account is as interesting as it is ripe with emotional content. The story had me hooked until the last line; a clear testament to the author’s ability to command attention until the very end.

Highly recommended: if you only read ONE historical book this year, this should be it!

Full review at: http://sirenedelamer.wordpress.com/20...

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, so maybe marching into the equatorial African forrest and gunning down as many gorillas as you can find does not constitute the height of scientific observation and achievement, but that is just how most explorer/naturalists rolled back in the 1850s. That being said, Monte Reel has framed a fabulous story of the bourgeoning scientific world's learning of a then mythic creature. It would be as if someone today went off in search of Bigfoot or the Yeti and found many of them. All of this takes place within the context a scientific debate where Darwin's theory of evolution has about 2 supporters (one being himself).

The life of self-proclaimed explorer Paul du Chaillu is the framework around which Reel builds this very compelling narrative. I found myself sucked in by Chaillu's life story and rooting for his success because of his underdog status in every arena. This book falls squarely into my favorite genre of non-fiction adventure that describes a reality more fantastical than many fiction books.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what good nonfiction is all about! A well told story that brings the subject to life in an interesting and compelling way. It is the saga of nearly forgotten explorer Paul Du Chaillu who thrust the gorilla into the limelight - the greater public arena - for the first time with abundant specimens and detailed observations on their behavior.

Du Chaillu emerged from obscurity to become the toast of the scientific community until petty jealousies, personal prejudices, and political agendas cast doubt on his credibility.

As written by the author the title has several meanings: It references the status of the gorilla in the time period while also giving a nod to the struggles of explorer Paul Du Chaillu as he sought to fit in with the “society” of the time - he was truly caught up between the two worlds; That of the wilds and beasts of Africa where he journeyed into places never before seen by non-native eyes with relative ease only to find himself at odds with the petty jealousies and personal agendas of those who saw him as an unworthy or ill equipped interloper in the scientific world. The victim of a whisper/rumor attack by the elite community of explorers and scientists Du Chaillu learned hard lessons about how vicious “polite society” could be.

Virtually ignored in America (it was in the time leading up to the Civil War), Du Chaillu actually rented space on Broadway to display his specimens only to be overshadowed by P.T. Barnum’s American Museum a few blocks away. People actually preferred Barnum’s sensationalized hoaxes to the reality of Du Chaillu’s gorillas. Eventually finding a warm response in England, Du Chaillu was quite the celebrity for a time, then due to the jealousy and close mindedness of those who chose to thrust him into the evolution debate he found himself the subject of ridicule and contempt. Du Chaillu never commented to any great extent on how the gorilla fit into the grand scheme of things, preferring to study them on their own rather than lump them in with, or against, humanity.

It’s a great book. I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in early explorers or the beginnings of the evolution debate. Really great read.

***NOTE: This book has been listed under my "currently reading" status for quite some time (four or five months), I actually finished it in a relatively short time and just never got around to updating my status.

[Mythili · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles...

Before there was Jane Goodall, or even Tarzan and King Kong, the gorilla was a creature of mystery. The beast’s nomadic habits put it into only occasional contact with African villagers and next to no contact with Western missionaries and traders. So when Paul du Chaillu, the son of a French merchant, first laid eyes on a gorilla in 1856 on an expedition into the African wilderness, he was instantly mesmerized: “No one else, aside from a handful of native tribesmen, had ever seen this much.” In Between Man and Beast, Monte Reel charts du Chaillu’s singular role in introducing the gorilla to modern science, and recounts the hype, debate, and competition that surrounded its discovery. Du Chaillu’s expeditions came at a time when Darwin’s theory of evolution had just entered the scientific community. The gorilla seemed to provide startling physical evidence of man’s close connections to the animal kingdom, something few members of the scientific community were truly ready to contend with. Du Chaillu’s fortunes rose and fell around his discovery; by the end of his life, he was “perfectly tired of this Gorilla business,” he wrote to a friend, “and I intend to have nothing to do with the beast in the future.” True to his word, he quit gorillas in the last years of his life, and died in relative obscurity. But Beast and Man doesn’t let him get off so easily. Reel retraces his life and work with the spirit of curiosity and adventure that drove du Chaillu in the first place. What results is a celebration of accomplishments too far-reaching to be understood in their time.

[Jason Koivu · Rating 4 out of 5]

The slow start to this one almost made me set it aside. I wasn't connecting with the subject at the beginning, which seemed disjointed. Once the African adventure began, though, then I settled in. By the end I was sincerely pulling for Paul du Chaillu's redemption!

[Tanja Berg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great title, not so great book. Rating 3* out of 5. This is a fairly boring book about an explorer named Paul Du Chaillu who became the first white person to see the mythical gorilla in the mid 19th century. This came at about the same time that Darwin released his "The Origin of Species" and the evolutionary debate ran rampant. The gorilla was - incorrectly - concluded to be man's closest relative, based on comparing skeletons. Paul wrote a book which was received favorably, but then he questions were raised as to whether his experiences really were authentic, upon which he naturally had to try to redeem himself. That is, set off on another expedition.

It was somewhat interesting to follow the debates of the London intellectual elite of the mid 19th century. However, the impression they left on me wasn't exactly favorable - there was much jealousy and mudslinging. This wasn't half as interesting as I had hoped.

[nina p · Rating 5 out of 5]

i went into this book thinking it was just gonna be about the "discovery" of the gorilla, but it was surprisingly so much more than that. this is a story about the desire to be accepted, the art of hating your colleagues, the destructions of societies, the evil roots of craniotometry. this is about Paul Du Chaillu (a hell of a guy), and his influence during the 1800s and beyond. crazy.

[Carolyn Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
In 1850 the gorilla was regarded in the same way as Bigfoot, the Yeti or even the Loch Ness Monster are considered today. There are a few ardent believers but most regard them as scary or amusing myths. Now imagine if someone were to find the Bigfoot creatures and shot as many as possible.
This is the intriguing story of how a poor, mostly uneducated explorer named Paul du Chaillu set out for the Gabon to prove the gorilla actually existed and was not just a story told by native Africans.The area he traveled was a blank spot on the map, unexplored by white men. He endured many hardships before accomplishing his goal.He sent bodies of gorillas he shot to Britain and America and found himself capitulated into fame and derision.
His discoveries landed him into the center of the debate and rivalry amongst accredited scientists and scholars. Darwinism had just been introduced and the discovery of the gorilla was too startling to ignore. For some it seemed to indicate proof of evolution from a lower life form. Also debates were intensified regarding the inequality of races and the institution of slavery which still existed. At the time there was no objection to the capture of pygmies or the display of deformed Africans by P.T. Barnum and others.Fundamentalist religion was also growing which included the belief that the world was only 4000 years old which opposed Darwinism. Scholars and scientists were prone to ignore objective facts due to their entrenched religious or scientific beliefs.
Accredited scientists began to look in scorn on this small, flamboyant man who gave such entertaining lectures on his adventures and the behaviour of gorillas he observed in the wild.He was hyperactive and spoke with a heavy French accent, and in no way resembled their accepted African explorers like Stanley, Livingston, Speck and Burton. Du Chaillu wanted to be considered great by the scientific and geographic societies of the day, but lacked the credentials to be taken seriously by many. Religious fundamentalists already angered by Darwinism did not take kindly to du Challiu. Many scientists, religious leaders and those pro-slavery intended to ruin the reputation of the explorer whom they considered less authoritive and educated than themselves.
As du Chaillu had often lied about or kept secret his background, whispers began that his writings about his explorations and observations about gorilla behaviour were falsehoods and that he was probably of mixed-race.
He decided to return to Africa to restore his reputation, where he met with even greater hardships. His understanding was that his second expedition was to be covered by funds from a geographical society, but most of these monies were denied.He spent the rest of his life in obscurity and poverty. The later part of his life was devoted to Nordic studies, turning as far from Africa and gorillas as possible. He died in St. Petersburg.
His discoveries fueled the imaginative writings of Edgar Rice Burroughs (Tarzan), Arthur Conan Doyle among others, and also the earliest King Kong movie.
This book is highly recommended to anyone with an interest in exploration during the Victorian age, Africa, gorillas,19th century society, debates on Darwinism, slavery,social class,racial intolerance, or simply a great story.

[Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a work of non-fiction that covers man quest into the unknown, his exploring and discovering of a great beast. A white man had not traveled as far as our explorer in here across dangerous territory tribal controlled regions in remote areas of Gabon. The public, the critics at first did not believe in his discoveries but time would tell and all would eventually talk of his expeditions and cash in on the discoveries. The black and white movie King Kong has many of the explorers footsteps used in done ways. I did feel that I was amidst the King Kong movie, especially the recent remake, minus the great fiction figure of King Kong himself in here you are in company of a great mammal a Gorilla. A Gorilla that was hardly known of to the masses of the metropolis of U.S and U.K.
There was quite a hard time had by the explorer during a passage of a smallpox outbreak, the villagers and his expedition crew were all struck with this ugly head of outbreak of disease and he was the sole guilty party in bringing this danger to the people. In some ways ironically they were in search of a beast but they presented themselves as white beasts to the locals, in bringing death by disease to their community.

I found the book interesting and educating, the amusement at the masses unknown of gorillas memorable. The killing and bringing home Specimens of Gorilla tragic and in history a great achievement and triumph was undertaken in the action of it outlawed.
A memorable research in the journey to the heart of the Gorilla and the people around it.

“Of all the stories Wilson told, however, none fascinated the boy more than the story of the njena. The creature was shrouded in obscurity, spoken of by the locals as if it were a mythical monster, not a real animal. The njena was a mystery just waiting to be solved.”

“Audubon himself shot most of the birds he drew-a necessary compromise that inspired generations to refine their own appreciations of nature and, in some cases, to work to protect such species from endangerment. In twentieth century, that compromise became unnecessary. Hunting lost whatever scientific, academic, and artistic authority it once claimed. But in the mid-nineteenth century, naturalists felt little moral pressure pushing them away from hunting. If anything, they were pushed toward it by scientists and academic institutions with a wolfish demand for specimens.”

“While he waited in Olenda, the pox continued to tear through the community.”Not a day passed without its victims,” he later wrote, “each fresh death being announced by the firing of guns, a sound which each time pierced through me with a pang of sorrow. From morning to night, in my solitude, I could hear the cries of wailing, and the mournful songs which were raised by the relatives round the corpses of the dead.”

Review also @ http://more2read.com/review/between-man-and-beast-by-monte-reel/

[nolandia.usa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Indiana Jones, Allan Quartermain, Professor Challenger, Rick O'Connell. These are the names of men I grew up with. The names of men I admired. They came from film and literature. They were not real, but they represented that intuitive spirit of adventure deep within every human being: the testosterone producing, adrenaline pumping urge we have to shed the shackles of our domesticated 9-to-5 lives and step foot into the unknown regions of the world.

With this book, I have found a REAL name to add to the list of men who inspire bold deeds and courageous journeys: Paul Du Chaillu. Between Man and Beast follows a young man who grows up fast in his explorations of equatorial Africa. It also chronicles Du Chaillu's life outside of the wild frontier and the obstacles he met when bringing back some of the earliest gorilla specimens to the modernizing world - a world that was being introduced to evolutionary science through the writings of Darwin, Huxley, and others.

The author, Reel, has a relentlessly readable style of prose that is full of grace and efficiency. The book itself, although non-fiction, reads like a true adventure story intermixed with fascinating historical and scientific anecdotes as well as short biographical sketches of many interesting characters such as Abraham Lincoln and members of Victorian Britain's scientific community including Richard Owen, Charles Darwin, John Edward Gray, Thomas Henry Huxley, and Roderick Murchison.

Between Man and Beast is also an exploration of the contrasts in humanity. Du Chaillu's witnessing of the slave trade and their prison "pens" is a horrific account. The ego games played between Britain's esteemed scientists during the evolutionary debates reveal how man can distort science to uphold his view on religion or even scientific theory. There are uplifting accounts of humanity in those who defended Du Chaillu's reputation when he was called a fraud after retelling stories of his first African expedition. Not to mention, the man himself - Du Chaillu was determined to discredit all the naysayers and returned to Africa for a second expedition, facing more obstacles than he had in the first.

Reel has excellently delivered the history of a lesser known explorer's career. Not only that, but he has given us an intriguing glimpse into 19th century Britain and America at a time when racial prejudices abounded in science and science itself was being revolutionized with the advent of evolution. My only gripe is that Reel did not delve deeper into the science behind the evolutionary debates during Du Chaillu's time. This qualm is overshadowed by the telling of one man's story. Du Chaillu was a man without a permanent home, a man who traveled back and forth all his life. He faced overwhelming ridicule in civilized society and overwhelming odds in the jungles. These challenges did not break him. Du Chaillu, a short man with a flamboyant French accent, is a prime example of a real life adventurer and explorer with an indomitable spirit.

[Ronald Roseborough · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a time when the world seems to have shrunk and all corners are easily reached, when the bright light of science and technology seem to eliminate any dark shadows from our world, it is hard to imagine the mystery, anticipation, and indeed fear that surrounded the exploration of Darkest Africa. In the mid-eighteen hundreds most of the African continent was an unknown mystery to the people of Europe. It would be an age that spawned noted European explorers and scientists such as Stanley and Livingstone, Richard Burton and John Spence. Charles Darwin's theories were beginning to rock the foundations of science. One explorer who would contribute greatly to the opening of Africa and it's secrets was Paul Du Chaillu. While little known today, he had a great impact on adding to the knowledge of West Africa and more specifically on one species of animal in particular, the almost mythical gorilla. Scientists in Europe had never before had reliable specimens of the gorilla until Du Chaillu, who grew up in West Africa, brought more than a dozen carcasses to Europe and the United States. The story here lies not so much in his explorations, but in the uproar he caused in the scientific community. Many noted scientists chose not to believe Du Chaillu had actually explored West Africa and shot the gorilla's himself. After all many noted European explorers had tried and failed to bring back this legendary beast. He was alternately revered and ridiculed for years as he tried to convince everyone of the truth of his adventures. His detractors besmirched him not only in print by attacking his accomplishments, but also attacked him personally, casting aspersions upon his mixed heritage. This book is an interesting investigation into the life and trials of a man who rose from obscurity to the summit of the scientific community only to be reviled and forced into attempting to recover his reputation by returning once again to the land whose secrets he had helped reveal. Provided for review by Doubleday.

[Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book that takes on the little known story of Paul Du Chaillu who is attributed for the popularity of “The Great White Hunter” and gorilla characters in the late 1800’s. I have studied biology and have read many mainstream primatology books. I will be adding this one to my collection. Many of the major characters described by Monte Reel (like Darwin, Huxley and Owen) are all men that are famously referenced in history and biology texts but I had never recalled mentions of Paul Du Chaillu. I am glad that I was introduced to this influential, colorful and unfamiliar man.
Du Chaillu is an interesting character who balanced himself between a variety of cultures in Africa, America and Europe. Monet Reel makes Du Chaillu’s story alive with some dramatic descriptions of events (drama that Paul himself would enjoy reading) that draws in the reader. But the content is often word for word from primary sources of newspapers, private letters and known historical events bringing validity and historical accuracy to the book. I enjoyed how Reel paced the story of Du Chaillu’s life by dividing the book up into individual stories and subjects that add up to the greater picture. I also appreciated how the historical setting was highlighted as so the reader can understand exactly what had drove people to act the way they did.
I have recently read The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle and had attributed Du Chaillu’s adventures in Africa as an inspiration for Doyle’s novel early on in Reel’s book. Major themes that permeate The Lost World are influenced by the political state of London’s natural and exploration clubs, as well as popular attitudes of the great white hunter in the jungle. Reel mentioned this connection in the epilogue and it was fun to see that I recognized the connection.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just devoured this reader-friendly book. 19th-century explorer and scientist Paul du Chaillu was never anyone that's been on my radar, unlike other African explorers like Burton, Speke, Livingstone or Stanley. He certainly deserves to be remembered, as much for his discoveries as for how he epitomized that era's attitudes toward nature, social status, race and scholarship.

From the moment he stepped into history as a teenaged boy washed up on the banks of an African river in the 1840s, du Chaillu set out to make his mark on the world. Although a charmer and a social climber, he was also a serious scientist who was genuinely curious about the creatures of west Africa. He was the first westerner to observe the lowland gorilla (and "collect specimens"), an animal that was all but legend to non-Africans at the time. Later, he was among the first to encounter and describe pygmy tribes. His discoveries came at the time that the evolution debates were beginning, and du Chaillu and his specimens became fodder for intense scientific rivalries in Victorian England.

The story of his mysterious background, his thrilling expeditions and how he navigated the fame that accompanied his travels and writings, makes for a great story. Reel tells it well. At some point, I'd like to check out some du Chaillu's original books, many of which are available online.

[Cal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second read, 2021: Still a great book that never fails to amaze me about how much we can learn from something so specific in history


This was a good piece of historical insight. I enjoyed all the sources Reel drew from, and how it followed less than a traditional pro-European narrative than I expected based on the synopsis. I had to read this for a class, but I am glad I did.

[Krlb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a soft spot in my reading heart for books about explorers. It's exciting to vicariously experience the wonders that they saw, and, better yet, to hear about their discoveries in their own words. What's particularly noteworthy is the fact that many of these adventurers embarked with a decent chance that they wouldn't be returning alive. I was thinking about a modern parallel, and the closest I could come up with was space exploration, particularly with some of the earliest manned flights, but the major difference between the two experiences was their duration - the early manned flights were over in a day or two, at most, while the 19th Century explorers planned trips of several years, often depending on their own ingenuity to tackle whatever problems arose during their adventures.

It would have been neat to have been a fly on the wall during the deliberations of one of the Royal societies that funded many of the British explorers in the 1800s. These guys were the beneficiaries, and sponsors, of the "Rule Britannia" attitude that prevailed in 19th Century England, who considered themselves to be the pinnacle of civilization, and who felt that it was their right, and destiny, to spread British culture throughout their domain. This attitude particularly applied to mysterious Africa, where unexplored regions were prime territory for investigation. They had the money, and there seemed to be an ample supply of courageous souls who would gladly risk their lives for the advancement of science and for the chance to be the first (at least the first English-speaking) person to see and report on their magnificent discoveries.

This is the backdrop for Between Man and Beast, the story of the search for the mysterious gorilla that had been known to African tribes from time immemorial but which had not been seen by English eyes. Paul Du Chaillu was an unlikely candidate to claim the first sighting, the story of which occupies a portion of the book - in my opinion, the best portion. Du Chaillu's challenges during his two African safaris wind up being hair-raising and daunting, but are matched by an uneven, and often skeptical, reception upon his return to England. I wish that more time had been spent writing about the African challenges (he did keep meticulous journals, particularly on his second gorilla hunt) and less time on the bitter battles that surrounded his findings.

The battles were of two types: one that attacked his credibility - convincing non-believers that he actually saw what he saw and did what he did (equivalent, I guess, to the modern-day conspiracy theorists who believe that the moon landings took place on a Hollywood sound stage), and the second in which he was, more or less, a bystander - whether Darwin was right, and man descended from the apes or whether certain races (non-white) were closer to the apes than they were to white Englishmen (sort of equivalent to questioning the need to explore space when there are so many problems on earth). Both arguments were worthwhile discussing, but too much time was spent on the politics behind the arguments and not enough on the day-to-day obstacles that Du Chaillu had to overcome in the wild.

If this type of book is interesting to you, I recommend The Lost City of Z, similar in its theme of exploration, but with less overhead.

[Bill Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

The arrival of the gorilla onto the 19th Century American and European scenes is a paragon of perfect timing. With "civilization" grappling with issues of race and religion, the human characteristics of the creature fed racist and religious purposes as well as those of the rationalist insurgency. The man who brought the gorilla back, first to Broadway where it was exhibited near Barnum's American Museum and then to an England aflame with the desire to map and exploit the "dark continent" was Paul Du Chaillu. This book tells his story in detail, with an eye to the scientific and religious discourse he and his animal inspired.

It's an amazing story and Reel does justice to it. The details of the expeditions are here as are the controversies and feuds that involved men like Richard Owen and Sir Burton as well as a fascinating cast of cranks and zealots on all sides of the furry issues. The result is excellent, living history as good as nearly any fiction.

Absolutely recommended.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Posthumous Revenge of a Forgotten Explorer" is the name of just one of the many essays and writings vindicating the work of Paul du Chaillu, whose impact on naturalism and science has been severely underappreciated. Monte Reel renders historical events in vivid, impactful prose describing connections with and influences on luminaries including Humboldt, Audubon, Darwin, PT Barnum, Charles Dickens, JM Barrie, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Arthur Conan Doyle and Abraham Lincoln. The author describes the explorer's ill-fated journeys with an immediacy and personal investment that makes the underlying adventure thrilling, in addition to the fascinating historical context he provides. His respect and appreciation for indigenous culture, history, environment and wildlife are apparent throughout. If you're looking for an author who can illuminate a historical account, look no further. Pull on your wellies and join Paul du Chaillu Between Man and Beast. If you enjoy this book, Reel's study of tribal life in the Amazon, The Last of the Tribe is essential reading.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has been on my list for a long time. This was a very good book, there are a couple passages where the killing of gorilla's is recounted and it is absolutely horrid. Gut wrenching.

Still, seeing the world at a pivotal time is really interesting. We (I) usually take the world around us for granted, but it really wasnt that long ago that all of this was wild and new. A gorilla in 1860 was just implausible as an extraterrestrial now. The way people were treated (and still are in some cases) is just bad.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting account of Paul Du Chaillu’s exploration in Gabon in the 1850s and 1860s, where he became the first European to encounter gorillas. The author juxtaposes Du Chaillu’s exploits with the controversy stirred up by the publication of Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species” in 1859, the rise of exploration and imperialism in Africa, and the racial animosities that became sharper with the culmination of abolitionism and the start of the American Civil War.

[Tory Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look at naturalists/ explorers during the late 1800's.

[Christine Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

The heartwarming story of the first European to murder a gorilla.

[Marnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

A very readable history about an explorer that I've heard nothing about.

[Benjamin L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Between Man and Beast is written in absolutely captivating, engaging prose that make it very difficult to put down, and very easy to pick up. Is is split (not evenly) into three parts, and i read the final part in a single sitting (staying up altogether too late to do so), something i've not done for a book in years. The narrative is really about much more than the premise, for drawn into the narrative from numerous sources are historical descriptions of events, people, and places that never feel out of place or like an info dump, despite the fact that many actually are.

For while the writing of Monte Reel is wonderful in almost every respect, the organisation of the book leaves lots to be desired. Through the narrative is focused on one man, there are often fairly lengthy tangents about others who come to influence the life of the protagonist. For example, near the middle of the book there is a memorable chapter, 'three motives' that is introduces three people who all have a motive (hence the title) to want to discredit the main character's scientific findings. One at a time, the chapter introduces them, their life history, their work, and the origins of their motives - in far, far more detail than is really necessary. It is certainly well-written and, when reading the chapter, I didn't feel inclined to stop, but there are lots of long-winded tangents in this book.

That would not be a problem per-se, if it were not for the fact that the core of the book is fairly superficial. If you judge what the book should be about on it's subtitle, I would venture to say the majority of the book was tangent. For example, the first part of the book follows Paul's explorations of the jungles of equatorial Africa and his first sighting - and captures - of a gorilla. For me, this should be a major component of the book - almost a sub-narrative, but it was concisely swept into a small handful of (short) chapters. We learn about hundreds of birds that Paul shot, sent back to america for the ornithological society, and kept copious notes on in his journal. But what were the birds? Where did he find them? did he remark upon any as particularly beautiful or interesting? Did he remark upon any as particularly difficult to catch? did he make any behavioural observations? We don't know, because we are not told.

This is just one example. In the second part of the book, Paul has returned to Europe, and his observations have taken the 'Victorian world by storm.' He kept notes on almost every aspect of his trip - the geography of the places he visited, ethology of the animals he encountered, ethnography of the native tribes he worked with, notes on the weather patterns and flora. Paul, we are told, discovered so much and set ablaze a wildfire of debate and disagreement in the scientific world.

But a debate about what? The reader is left in the dark on the details of most of his discoveries and, as a consequence, on the details of the debates! We are told Paul gives a lecture and is heckled, but not what Paul nor the heckler said! As a result, I think something has to give in this book - it either needs to be twice the length, with more substance into Paul's actual discoveries - inclusions of the maps and drawings he kept (we are told) and expansion of the narrative substance on his explorations or, if the length is to maintained, many of the well-written but ultimately superfluous tangents needs to be pruned.

It is true that Paul himself wrote books describing his discoveries and adventures, but I think these primary sources would be better served as sources to quote liberally from in this modern historiography, rather than as they are - almost required pre-readings in order to get the most from the current book.

Nonetheless, I am giving this book four stars, because it was such an absolute pleasure to read, though it was in equal measure a disappointment, for the loss of what it could have been.

[Kev Trueblood · Rating 2 out of 5]

Promises more than it delivers. The book teases exploration into the fascinating context of racial strife in civil war america and the evolution debates in Victorian london in light of the new discovery of the gorilla. Instead it ends up being a largely dry biography of an explorer (perhaps more thoughtful that most others of his day) who left a trail of stuffed animals and smallpox deaths in his wake. It is a challenge to sympathize with his story of salvaging a reputation built on colonial exploration. Occasional moments of excitement, largely disappointing.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Between Man and Beast” illustrates how the seemingly disparate areas of biology, geography, religion and race all converged during the mid-19th century when explorer Paul du Chaillu travelled deep into the jungles of Africa to uncover evidence of a creature hitherto unseen by most of Victorian society: The Gorilla.

Du Chaillu didn't have the formal training of his prestigious peers, but he eventually received the academic support necessary to lead an expedition to Gabon. While there, he crossed paths with gorillas, animals whose questionable existence had tantalized the imaginations of scientist and layman alike. He collected data and brought back specimens, but the feedback he received for his discovery was not entirely positive.

Du Chaillu's work brought gorillas to the forefront of popular culture at a tumultuous time. Charles Darwin and other prominent figures were arguing about the theories of evolution and natural selection, ideas which had serious consequences for society because they invalidated a literal interpretation of the Bible and diminished mankind's lofty self-image. Many of those who supported evolution also argued that blacks were more closely related to apes than whites were, that they were less “evolved” than whites.

The spotlight surrounding du Chaillu invited scrutiny and, as a result, critics eviscerated him for his amateurish technique. This attack forced the fledgling scientist to seek redemption by learning more refined methodologies before he returned to Gabon with the aim of verifying his previous findings.

Du Chaillu is initially described by author Monte Reel as being a plucky underdog desperately trying to carve out his own heroic destiny. He ultimately finds success, but also makes some mistakes along the way for which he pays dearly.

Additionally, Reel paints each chapter of du Chaillu's life as a vivid scene worthy of the silver screen. They range in scope from the perilous adventures taking place within the jungles of Gabon to the equally tense academic battles waged by British high society. They are all rich with detail, dialogue and atmosphere thanks to the immense work Reel has put forth in researching du Chaillu's life. At times, the mind staggers to recall that this story is a work of nonfiction.

(My review was originally published in the San Antonio Express News -
http://www.mysanantonio.com/entertain...)

[Todd Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate to get an advance copy from the publisher and found it to be a wonderful read. I was intrigued to read this book from the start, especially as the cover made me think the about both the infancy of Darwinism & exploration of the time as well as a statement that perhaps man is not as in control of nature/life as he thinks.

Paul Du Chaillu, an unfortunately largely forgotten today explorer of the Victorian Age, traveled into the wilds of Gabon to become one of the first outsiders to find the Lowland Gorilla. It is a story not only of the explosive age he was in but his trials & tribulations to find acceptance in a world (both scientific and general public) that may not have wanted him. It is a story of the dignity, grace, persistence, and humor with which he approached his 70 years of life, including how he always went full steam ahead even until his passing in St.Petersburg.

The chapters are short and easily digestible. The tone is light but does not slip into either simplistic or complicated, as many might do with such a subject, making for a very enjoyable read.

The one line that truly stands out for me in this book comes in the epilogue, when the author points out how much of Paul's headstone is wrong (a allusion perhaps to the privacy cloaking that Paul encouraged most of his life) & he makes the comment that "...but gravestones are never the last word." Paul's footprints can be found, acknowledged or not, in the writings of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Jack London, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Barrie's Peter Pan, and even Cooper's movie King Kong. The point as I see it, our contributions in life may be recognized at the time, but the footprints (seen or unseen) we leave behind will stretch out to make an impact long after we are gone.

I highly recommend this book, especially for those who enjoy the genre, and plan to have both my high school & middle school children read it.

[J.R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monte Reel has crafted an informative and entertaining book about the discovery of the gorilla and its reception by the scientific community and the public in Europe and America.

As one with an interest in the Victorian explorers and Africa, the name Du Chaillu was familiar to me, though I knew relatively little about the man himself. The explorer provided only sketchy information to his contemporaries during his lifetime (even the date and place of birth on his tombstone are incorrect) and Reel’s investigations explain the reason behind this enigmatic behavior. It was also a surprise to learn about his fascination with Nordic studies.

Beyond these biographical matters, Reel offers insights on the gorilla’s role in the debate over evolution, sketches of the various proponents of the origin theories (both scientific and religious), and the difficulties endured by the early explorers.

It was gratifying to learn a descendant of one of Du Chaillu’s detractors was the person who verified one of his claims, thus helping to resuscitate his reputation.

Though Paul Du Chaillu’s name is no longer as familiar as it deserves to be, I also found it interesting his explorations had an influence on writers like Arthur Conan Doyle, Jack London and Edgar Rice Burroughs and Merian Cooper’s film, King Kong.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sound, thoughtful piece of reportage about a little known(anymore) explorer named Chaillou who was the first to track, capture and prove the existence the African lowland gorilla. He became a sensation in London and introduced Victorian society of the 1850s to this amazing creature, at the very time that Darwin's Origin of Species was setting the anthropological world ablaze with the theory of evolution.Reel nicely juxtaposes the roller coaster of Chaillou's adventures (becoming a success and the toast of the town to being falsely accused of fabricating his entire expedition to finally being held in legitimate esteem),with the reactions of other jealous,competing scientists, as well as religious figures threatened by the gorilla's too "human" characteristics.It was a time of hoaxes and hucksters, of tackling the globe's unknown spaces by the likes of Sir Richard Burton and Stanley and Livingstone,of fads and fashions and brutal feuds (thanks to the publicity surrounding the discovery of the "beast", Abe Lincoln was likened to a gorilla by enemies of his early Presidential run.)I was fortunate to win this as a Goodreads giveaway and enjoyed the parallels between our current sensationalistic culture and the mid 1800s. As Napoleon said,Toujours les foux, Toujours les foux!(idiots, it's always idiots....)

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

If 5 stars means "It was amazing", well, yeah: it was amazing. It is 5" deep and a mile wide - following Paul du Chaillu's expeditions to Gabon where he found, hunted, preserved and described hundreds of flora and fauna unknown to the Western science. His story has many tangent lines veering off into discussions of: his scientific contemporaries, like Darwin, and Owen; how museums worked and how the natural sciences went from rich hobbyists to serious specialists; class and race (small spoiler: he may have been part African); and adventure and travel writing. The book totally fanboys over du Chaillu, but makes the case that he is worthy of interest.

Violence: If your kids can handle the movie "Mighty Joe Young" (1998), then they can handle the mild violence of the book. There are several vivid hunting scenes where the porters cook up various gorilla parts. Whenever you see "raises his gun", you can skip a page and not lose much.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of receiving an advanced copy of “Between Man and Beast” from the publisher…I must emphasize the word pleasure!

This book was a thrilling, informative read that captured me from page one. To use a quote from the book referencing its subject’s own body of work…”To quote everything that is interesting in this volume would be tantamount to a reprint of the entire volume.”

I was amazed at the author’s ability to fill the story with so much information while simultaneously creating a fierce narrative that makes it impossible to put the book down. Reel brings to life both a largely unknown historical figure and the time and “places” he lived and traveled.

My advice to all readers is simple…Read this book.

My only disappointment is I do not possess Mr. Reel’s ability to write in such a way to do his book justice.