Yeti: The Ecology of a Mystery

by Daniel C. Taylor

This book explains the mystery of the Yeti or Abominable Snowman, the creature that has left mysterious footprints in Himalayan snows. The book also explores why people are so fascinated with the possibility that a wild hominoid might still reclusively live (the idea of a wild humanity alive in people's hopes). Here also is the extraordinary story of one man's conservation impact-a quest for mysterious animal caused him to lead in creating two massive national parks around Mount Everest, one in China/Tibet and one in Nepal.

This book narrates how the author explores much of the 2,000-mile breadth of the Himalaya, from his childhood in India to his work years in Nepal, China/Tibet, and Bhutan. From 1956 until 2015 he visited almost all valley systems. The book recounts his ascents of Himalayan summits and even a first descent of a major river, Nepal's Sun Kosi.

This book not only explains scientifically the Yeti and describes a range of Himalayan animals and plants, it also brings forward a wide scope of ecological understanding. Significant among these is the author's postulate about bioresilience as a parallel dynamic to biodiversity. Additionally, the author explores what it means (and how important it is) for people to be part of 'the wild' in today's increasingly domesticated world. Taylor's breadth of Himalayan knowledge is massive, the story captivating and full of surprises-and what he has accomplished includes 'discovering' the Yeti as well as creating two huge national parks.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science

416 pages, Hardcover

First published October 30, 2017

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just don't think this book was as advertised. This felt predominantly like an argument for sustaining the natural world with some personal anecdotes regarding the author's research into bears. I thought we were getting a presentation and analysis of why people believe in, seek, or try to prove/disprove the Yeti's existence. Maybe I misinterpreted the book's description. Additionally, the writing style was tough. There was a heavy-handed and jumbled use of prose. I'm sure it flowed beautifully in the author's head as he was writing, but on paper some of the text was almost incomprehensible.

[po.czytane · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

No nie zaiskrzyło między nami..

[Sam Marriott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-constructed, scientific approach to the myth of the Yeti built on proper research done in Nepal, specifically the Barun jungle, the last wilderness of the kingdom. While rigorous in its account of the data collection process, it retains a sense of wonder at the natural world, the culture of the Himalayas and the attitude of the people there, covering perspectives of characters from the local villager to the royal family. It is also a warming and insightful treatise on how humanity can mend its relationship with nature which might form a blueprint for conservation efforts in the future.

[J. A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was stunned and utterly fascinated by a book that read like an adventure tale and yet was scientific to its core, with the author's adventures of a life lived in the Himalaya one transformed into a life honed to develop worldwide educational skills to promote self-development of habitat-imperiled regions.
At no point does YETI become a boring tome of pedanticism, but rather keeps its focus on wilderness, our need for it, a fundamental yearning to be joined with other recognized human needs. The YETI satisfies that in us even as we read it.
Enthralling, a read that satisfies to our very cores in a way that is unique.

[Rafal Kuczynski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. It has its moments, especially chapters focused on adventure and scientific aspects, but many times the author strays too far from the topic towards his own life philosophy, which is described in a hard to digest way and can get boring at times.

[Mateusz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,25