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Serengeti Shall Not Die
Magnificent story, illustrations, by explorer and friend who surveyed the Serengeti,.
280 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1959
11 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
About the author
Bernhard Grzimek
118 books8 followersBernhard Klemens Maria Grzimek was a renowned German zoo director, zoologist, book author, editor, and animal conservationist in postwar West-Germany.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 18, 2013
Serengeti Shall Not Die is an account of two guys- who give up everything to come to Tanzania and for their love of wildlife, Father (Bernhard) and Son (Michael) learn that humans are a threat to animals. With increased poaching, trade of animal skin and horns- and clearing forests to settle humans is surely killing wildlife and they do everything to ensure the world knows that wildlife is precious and needs to be preserved.
Michael dies while flying their plane and Bernhard is left with the task of ensuring their mission is fulfilled.
I loved: How it is filled with adventure stories from both guys, they talk about wildlife and the country in a very down-to-earth way. It keeps you reading.
Award: 5 stars
Reason: Though written in 1971, there is a lot more to what they advocate for in the book today, because wildlife is now at risk more than ever with increased poaching- and real estate booming especially in East Africa.
Verdict: It's a book worth reading and sharing with everyone.
Michael dies while flying their plane and Bernhard is left with the task of ensuring their mission is fulfilled.
I loved: How it is filled with adventure stories from both guys, they talk about wildlife and the country in a very down-to-earth way. It keeps you reading.
Award: 5 stars
Reason: Though written in 1971, there is a lot more to what they advocate for in the book today, because wildlife is now at risk more than ever with increased poaching- and real estate booming especially in East Africa.
Verdict: It's a book worth reading and sharing with everyone.
February 18, 2010
I read this book in High School in 1973, and was struck how committed Bernhard (48 years) and his son Michael Grzimek (23 years) were, to give up everything (Bernhard was a zoo director and said he had never done anything particularily 'adventuresome' in his life) and fly their 'Zebra' stripe painted Cessna plane from Germany to Tanzania. There on the magnificent plains of the Serengeti, they begin the first comprehensive wildlife surveys and migration studies.
The tragedy was that soon after they began their work, Michael was killed while flying their plane when it hit a bird soaring a thermal above the Serengeti.
The book had a profound influence on me and my attitude towards life and living beings in general, and we all owe the Grzimeks a huge gratitude for their pioneering and heroic work to help preserve and protect the wildlife and flora and fauna of East Africa.
The tragedy was that soon after they began their work, Michael was killed while flying their plane when it hit a bird soaring a thermal above the Serengeti.
The book had a profound influence on me and my attitude towards life and living beings in general, and we all owe the Grzimeks a huge gratitude for their pioneering and heroic work to help preserve and protect the wildlife and flora and fauna of East Africa.
July 5, 2022
A bit of a weird one that I found on my bookshelf and had never read. It was interesting and not at all the scientific account that I was expecting: it was more a compilation of stories from the authors' time in Serengeti. These stories were all very engaging, and the authors' passion for the animals is inspiring.
However, there were often odd comments, or even in one case a whole chapter, which I'm sure were very typical of the 50s but that excused colonialism, discussed the intelligence of Africans, and argued that the native Africans did more damage to Serengeti than Europeans. These comments were often in the same paragraph as an assertion that the authors believed in equal rights for all races, or an implication that the condition Africa was left in by colonisers made it impossible for natives to manage the land successfully, but even so these sections were infuriating to read.
I stuck with it as the authors no doubt made an important contribution to the study and preservation of Serengeti, as well as making an entertaining account of their adventures, but the racist comments meant that I was glad to have finished it.
However, there were often odd comments, or even in one case a whole chapter, which I'm sure were very typical of the 50s but that excused colonialism, discussed the intelligence of Africans, and argued that the native Africans did more damage to Serengeti than Europeans. These comments were often in the same paragraph as an assertion that the authors believed in equal rights for all races, or an implication that the condition Africa was left in by colonisers made it impossible for natives to manage the land successfully, but even so these sections were infuriating to read.
I stuck with it as the authors no doubt made an important contribution to the study and preservation of Serengeti, as well as making an entertaining account of their adventures, but the racist comments meant that I was glad to have finished it.
June 25, 2025
This book is a well-documented and forward-thinking account of early wildlife conservation efforts in Africa. Bernhard and Michael Grzimek conducted one of the first systematic studies of animal migration in the Serengeti using aerial surveys—work that had a lasting impact on conservation planning and policy.
Their findings highlighted the importance of protecting not just species, but entire ecosystems and migration corridors. The book clearly shows how human activities—like farming, hunting, and land development—can disrupt delicate ecological balances. What’s impressive is how relevant these insights still are today.
While the tone is sometimes personal, the overall focus remains scientific and practical. The authors provide detailed observations, backed by data, and emphasize the need for long-term protection strategies.
This is a valuable read for those interested in conservation history, wildlife research, or the roots of ecosystem-based management. It’s not a sentimental narrative—it’s a serious, respectful study of a landscape that was, and still is, worth preserving.
Their findings highlighted the importance of protecting not just species, but entire ecosystems and migration corridors. The book clearly shows how human activities—like farming, hunting, and land development—can disrupt delicate ecological balances. What’s impressive is how relevant these insights still are today.
While the tone is sometimes personal, the overall focus remains scientific and practical. The authors provide detailed observations, backed by data, and emphasize the need for long-term protection strategies.
This is a valuable read for those interested in conservation history, wildlife research, or the roots of ecosystem-based management. It’s not a sentimental narrative—it’s a serious, respectful study of a landscape that was, and still is, worth preserving.
July 12, 2017
Afrikas Natur hat mich einfach...Ich liebe es und freue mich dort bald selbst zu stehen😆
June 22, 2019
या पुस्तकातील कहानी १९५७ च्या आसपासची आहे. आफ्रिकेतील ब्रिटीश सरकारने सेरेनगटी नॅशनल पार्कचे क्षेत्रफळ कमी करण्याचा निर्णय घेतला व त्यासाठी काही कारणे दिली. या कारणांचा अभ्यास करण्यासाठी बर्नार्ड व मायकेल या बाप-लेकांनी सेरेनगटी येथे छोट्याशा विमानात बसून, मोटारीत फिरून आणि अतिशय कठीण परिस्थितीत, प्राण्यांची संख्या मोजणे तसेच त्यांच्या हालचालींचा अभ्यास इत्यादी उद्योग प्रसंगी स्वतःचा जीव धोक्यात घालून केले. या सगळ्याचे वर्णन या पुस्तकात आले आहे. पुस्तकाचे लिखाण खुप उत्तम नसले व काही ठिकाणी चूका असल्या तरी या धाडसी माणसांनी केलेल्या कामाचे महत्व जराही कमी होत नाही.
September 30, 2007
The first non-fiction i read at a very VERY impressionable age. Next to black beauty, this book altered my attitude towards animals, both wild and domestic.
This book takes us across to the southern part of africa, around Botswana, tracking the migration of millions of animals across the Kalahari.
As the father-son duo take census of the number of animals there, we come across their everyday difficulties and amusing incidents.
This book takes us across to the southern part of africa, around Botswana, tracking the migration of millions of animals across the Kalahari.
As the father-son duo take census of the number of animals there, we come across their everyday difficulties and amusing incidents.
January 19, 2016
Bernhard Grzimek and his son Michael flew their small airplane low over the Serengeti in the late 1950's counting wild animals and studying migration patterns. Serengeti Shall Not Die tells about their adventures.
July 18, 2022
Если вы вдруг услышите фразу "Это как раз то, что вам нужно: вы там будете жить прямо среди львов", то наверняка сочтете, что над вами издеваются. Но есть люди, для которых такое обещание не имеет никакого ироничного подтекста. Для них и правда хижина, сооруженная из алюминиевых щитов в тех местах, где львы и львицы гуляют под звездным небом и мурлыкают друг другу на ушко разные глупости, милее любого пятизвездочного отеля.
Именно такие люди и написали книгу "Серенгети не должен умереть". Это Бернгард и Михаэль Гржимек. Хотя по сути книгу писал только отец (Бернгард), а имя сына, погибшего в авиакатастрофе, он поставил на титульном листе, потому что "во всем, о чем здесь говорится, мой сын принимал живейшее участие". Гржимеки предотвратили уничтожение одной из старейших и наиболее сохранившихся экосистем в мире - территории, которая теперь (во многом благодаря их стараниям) приходится на заповедники Масаи-Мара, Серенгети и Нгоро-Нгоро. В 1959 году, после выхода в свет этой книги, заповедная территория увеличилась с 3,2 км² до 14 763 км².
В книге много подробностей о специфике поведения животных, о тонкостях исследовательской работы, проводимой авторами, но природа Африки описана с такой любовью, что ты просто растворяешься в этих словах. Здесь нет многоцветья эпитетов или буйства метафор, здесь есть душа человека, вложенная в мечту, очень благородную и на первый взгляд недостижимую - спасти природу от человека и ради самого человека.
Наверное по-другому писать об этой земле просто нельзя. Практически все книги об этих местах, которые я читала, глубоко западают в душу. Так было, допустим, с романом Карен Бликсен "Из Африки" : "На просторах травянистых равнин там и сям растут колючие терновые деревья, а трава пахнет тимьяном и кое-где аромат стоит такой сильный, что даже щекочет в носу. Цветы на равнине и в лесу, на лианах и на плюще, обвивающем деревья, мелкие, как и у подножия гор — и только после долгих дождей в долине расцветают огромные лилии с дурманящим запахом. Широкие просторы открываются взгляду, и эта вольная ширь дышит величием и несравненным благородством." Или с автобиографичным хемингуэевским романом "Зеленые холмы Африки" : "В стороне от лесистой горы взору открывались речные русла, и цепь отлогих холмов переходила в равнину, поросшую бурой, выжженной солнцем травой, а еще дальше темнела долина Рифт-Велли и поблескивало озеро Маньяра... С востока тянул прохладный ветерок, и по высокой траве пробегали зеленые волны. По небу плыли белые облака, а высокие деревья на склоне горы росли так тесно и листва у них была такая густая, что казалось, можно шагать прямо по кронам." Не смотря на принципиально разные идеи, заложенные в эти романы, они очень схожи между собой. У книги "Серенгети не должен умереть" тоже четкая линейная композиция, размеренный темп повествования и... аромат Африки, который невозможно ни с чем спутать.
Мне кажется, что такие книги жизненно необходимы современному миру, чтобы не было так, что в 59-м году Гржимек напишет про один суданский аэропорт: "В диспетчерской башне аэропорта сидит радист-африканец. Он рассказывал нам, что по утрам на пустынных взлетных дорожках любят играть леопарды", а мой друг-пилот, вернувшийся оттуда месяц назад, скажет, что кроме нищеты, войны, пыли и полудохлой домашней скотины, там нет ничего...
9 / 10
April 18, 2022
Bernhard und Michael Grzimeks Dokumentarfilm Serengeti darf nicht sterben gewann als erster deutscher Film nach dem zweiten Weltkrieg einen Oscar, nämlich 1960 in der Kategorie Dokumentarfilm. Gedreht hatten die beiden während ihren intensiven Forschungstätigkeiten in den späten 50er Jahren in der Serengeti, damals im Gebiet von Tanganjika, dem Festlandgebiet des heutigen Tansania. Es stand zur Diskussion, Teile des damals schon existierenden Nationalparks freizugeben. Die Grzimeks fanden heraus, dass die Migrationswege der großen Tierherden dadurch massiv beeinträchtigt wurden. Ihre Foschungsergebnisse halfen, dass die betroffenen Areale zu Schutzgebieten erklärt wurden, wenngleich sie auch nicht mehr zum Nationalpark gehörten.
Das gleichnamige Buch verfasste ursprünglich Michael Grizimek während der Forschungsreisen und Dreharbeiten zum Film. Nach dessen tödlichem Flugzeugabsturz (ausgelöst durch einen Beschädigung der Maschine durch einen Zusammenstoß mit einem Vogel) vollendete Bernhard Grzimek das Buch und ergänzte es offenkundig mit seinen Erinnerungen an die Zusammenarbeit mit seinem Sohn. Dadurch verschwimmen die Genregrenzen des Buches: Es ist zwar ein Sachbuch, das über Geographie, Flora und Fauna, aber auch von den Bewohnern des Gebiets berichtet, aber es enthält viele Anekdoten, Zitate, die das Verhältnis von Mensch und Tier kommentieren, viele persönliche biographische Begebenheiten und es hat auch wissenschaftliche Elemente bezüglich der Tiermigration, dem eigentlichen Anlass für die Expedition der Grzimeks.
Aus heutiger Sicht mit über 60 Jahren Abstand ist es interessant zu sehen, wie Grzimeks schon damals eine andere Sichtweise auf den Tierschutz, die Jagd und die Verantwortung des Menschen für sein Ökosystem eingenommen hat. Sein intensiver Wunsch, die Serengeti zu erhalten entgegen aller wirtschatflichen und vergnügungssüchtigen Interessen, verdient Hochachtung. Er dachte dabei nicht nur an die Tiere, sondern auch an kommende Generationen, die dieses Wunder der Natur ebenfalls erleben können sollten. Spannend ist auch, wie für dieses Projekt erst Instrumente erdacht werden mussten, um die nötigen Daten erfassen zu können. Dazu zählt das berühmte zebragestreifte Flugzeug, mit dem in Streifen die Serengeti überflogen wurde, um die Herden der migrierenden Tiere zählen zu können (in Dreierteams, um die Richtigkeit der ungefähren Zahlen sicherzustellen). Auch die Markierung einzelner Tiere mit Banderolen und Ohrmarken, um sie auch aus der Luft wiedererkennen zu können, stellte eine neue Idee dar. An diesen Beispielen wird klar, wieviel Aufwand Grzimeks betrieben, um ihre Erkenntnisse zu gewinnen.
Ursprünglich hatte ich das Buch gekauft, um es während meiner Tansaniareise 2019 zu lesen. Da mein e-reader das Buch zunächst nicht anzeigen konnte, blieb es bis heute ungelesen. Jetzt bin ich all den wunderbaren Erlebnissen dieser besonderen Reise durch das Buch wiederbegegnet: Den Landschaften und Orten, den Menschen und allen voran den Tieren. Am Ende des Buches von Michael GrzimeksTod zu lesen und sein Grabmahl am Kraterrand von Ngorongoro gesehen zu haben war anrührend.
Das gleichnamige Buch verfasste ursprünglich Michael Grizimek während der Forschungsreisen und Dreharbeiten zum Film. Nach dessen tödlichem Flugzeugabsturz (ausgelöst durch einen Beschädigung der Maschine durch einen Zusammenstoß mit einem Vogel) vollendete Bernhard Grzimek das Buch und ergänzte es offenkundig mit seinen Erinnerungen an die Zusammenarbeit mit seinem Sohn. Dadurch verschwimmen die Genregrenzen des Buches: Es ist zwar ein Sachbuch, das über Geographie, Flora und Fauna, aber auch von den Bewohnern des Gebiets berichtet, aber es enthält viele Anekdoten, Zitate, die das Verhältnis von Mensch und Tier kommentieren, viele persönliche biographische Begebenheiten und es hat auch wissenschaftliche Elemente bezüglich der Tiermigration, dem eigentlichen Anlass für die Expedition der Grzimeks.
Aus heutiger Sicht mit über 60 Jahren Abstand ist es interessant zu sehen, wie Grzimeks schon damals eine andere Sichtweise auf den Tierschutz, die Jagd und die Verantwortung des Menschen für sein Ökosystem eingenommen hat. Sein intensiver Wunsch, die Serengeti zu erhalten entgegen aller wirtschatflichen und vergnügungssüchtigen Interessen, verdient Hochachtung. Er dachte dabei nicht nur an die Tiere, sondern auch an kommende Generationen, die dieses Wunder der Natur ebenfalls erleben können sollten. Spannend ist auch, wie für dieses Projekt erst Instrumente erdacht werden mussten, um die nötigen Daten erfassen zu können. Dazu zählt das berühmte zebragestreifte Flugzeug, mit dem in Streifen die Serengeti überflogen wurde, um die Herden der migrierenden Tiere zählen zu können (in Dreierteams, um die Richtigkeit der ungefähren Zahlen sicherzustellen). Auch die Markierung einzelner Tiere mit Banderolen und Ohrmarken, um sie auch aus der Luft wiedererkennen zu können, stellte eine neue Idee dar. An diesen Beispielen wird klar, wieviel Aufwand Grzimeks betrieben, um ihre Erkenntnisse zu gewinnen.
Ursprünglich hatte ich das Buch gekauft, um es während meiner Tansaniareise 2019 zu lesen. Da mein e-reader das Buch zunächst nicht anzeigen konnte, blieb es bis heute ungelesen. Jetzt bin ich all den wunderbaren Erlebnissen dieser besonderen Reise durch das Buch wiederbegegnet: Den Landschaften und Orten, den Menschen und allen voran den Tieren. Am Ende des Buches von Michael GrzimeksTod zu lesen und sein Grabmahl am Kraterrand von Ngorongoro gesehen zu haben war anrührend.
October 14, 2018
I read this because I am going to Serengeti next month and I was interested in some of the history of the place. I have to admit I had not heard of Bernhard Grzimek and his son Michael and their pioneering work in the Serengeti. Rather sadly, despite the work they did to preserve or enlarge the national park, they failed, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area (which does not have the same protection ) was removed for the Serengeti National Park before all their work was published, despite the work that they had done that showed that the park at the time inadequately protected the migrations of the animals.
The book itself is really a collection of essays about the Serengeti. Most chapters start with a short anecdote about their activities before widening out into a broader exposition of the subject mentioned.
The main theme of the book is, not surprisingly, the preservation of the wild, and there is a curious dichotomy in the view presented. Some intense pessimism about the future of wild places in the world as a whole is tempered by a general optimism about the Serengeti, despite the many problems discussed in the text.
One cannot help but be conscious of the 1950s attitude towards race. Grzimek is not racist, far from it, but the 'institutional' and societal attitude towards non-whites still comes through.
Bernhard's son Michael died just before the completion of the project, piloting the plane that had been integral to their work. The last words written by Bernhard describe his son departing. The final pages are told in third party narration.
The book itself is really a collection of essays about the Serengeti. Most chapters start with a short anecdote about their activities before widening out into a broader exposition of the subject mentioned.
The main theme of the book is, not surprisingly, the preservation of the wild, and there is a curious dichotomy in the view presented. Some intense pessimism about the future of wild places in the world as a whole is tempered by a general optimism about the Serengeti, despite the many problems discussed in the text.
One cannot help but be conscious of the 1950s attitude towards race. Grzimek is not racist, far from it, but the 'institutional' and societal attitude towards non-whites still comes through.
Bernhard's son Michael died just before the completion of the project, piloting the plane that had been integral to their work. The last words written by Bernhard describe his son departing. The final pages are told in third party narration.
August 21, 2025
Picked this book up just before I traveled to Tanzania for the first time. It’s not very well written and was hard to follow at times, but it was so interesting to learn the history of the Serengeti and all that went into their work to help preserve the park and migration paths for the wildlife. The amount of ingenuity and grit it took them and their team to attempt to document all the animals from a plane, land rovers, on foot, and using film cameras deserves respect. We even saw the memorial marker, still there today, for Michael on the Ngorongoro Crater rim. We also saw other mentions to how their work really did contribute to the preservation of the parks.
December 15, 2021
Ajaloos on hetki, mida saab kõige paremini elustada raamat. Kaks pühendunud inimest võivad maailmas kõike muuta vaid siis, kui neil puudub hirm, kui neil on särav siht ja kui nad annavad maailmale aega hakata omi ideid toetama.
December 17, 2022
Skaisti, iedvesmojoši, aktuāli, nedaudz sirdi lauzoši un patiesi. Par dzīvnieku daudzveidību, piedzīvojumiem, Āfriku, tās iedzīvotājiem, par ģimeni, malumedniekiem, par darbu nākotnei un visiem mums - dabas aizsardzību.
June 18, 2023
Great work narrated by excellent writing
Thanks to the writer for providing light on this exceptional work to conserve wildlife diversity with equally excellent writing. Must read for wildlife enthusiastic peoples.
Thanks to the writer for providing light on this exceptional work to conserve wildlife diversity with equally excellent writing. Must read for wildlife enthusiastic peoples.
November 27, 2024
Fascinating account of the census of animals undertaken by Berhard Grzimek and his son Michael in the late 50s or early 60s. Their passion comes through and is infectious. Beautifully descriptive. Good to see that it hasn't died.
May 9, 2010
wish i waz in paradise -The Serengati
April 19, 2012
Superb book by one of the great conservationists of our time and one that I plan to reread when Im en route to Arusha.
December 10, 2014
Amazing story of the Serengeti - He and his son's efforts to document the Great Migration so as to preserve and protect the wildlife is great reading. A must read read if you travel to Serengeti
May 17, 2016
awesome book! so good and real!
April 29, 2017
Viis tärni on liiga vähe.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews