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Emerald Labyrinth: A Scientist's Adventures in the Jungles of the Congo
Emerald Labyrinth is a scientist and adventurer’s chronicle of years exploring the rainforests of sub-Saharan Africa. The richly varied habitats of the Democratic Republic of the Congo offer a wealth of animal, plant, chemical, and medical discoveries. But the country also has a deeply troubled colonial past and a complicated political present. Author Eli Greenbaum is a leading expert in sub-Saharan herpetology—snakes, lizards, and frogs—who brings a sense of wonder to the question of how science works in the twenty-first century. Along the way he comes face to face with spitting cobras, silverback mountain gorillas, wild elephants, and the teenaged armies of AK-47-toting fighters engaged in the continent’s longest-running war. As a bellwether of the climate and biodiversity crises now facing the planet, the Congo holds the key to our planet’s future. Writing in the tradition of books like The Lost City of Z, Greenbaum seeks out the creatures struggling to survive in a war-torn, environmentally threatened country. Emerald Labyrinth is an extraordinary book about the enormous challenges and hard-won satisfactions of doing science in one of the least known, least hospitable places on earth.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
11 people are currently reading
416 people want to read
About the author
Eli Greenbaum
5 books2 followersEli Greenbaum is a professor of biological sciences and the director of Biodiversity Collections at the University of Texas at El Paso. He is a world expert on the amphibian and reptile fauna in Central Africa and has published over 125 studies in peer-reviewed scientific journals and books. His work has been covered by CNN, Newsweek, The Washington Post, NBC News, National Geographic Daily News, Africa Geographic Magazine, Reptiles Magazine, and The Huffington Post. He is the author of Emerald Labyrinth: A Scientist’s Adventures in the Jungles of the Congo, a Forbes magazine “Top 10 Science Book” of the year. His latest book is Venomous River: Changing Climate, Imperiled Forests, and a Scientist’s Race to Find New Species in the Congo.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 21, 2021
He found a NEW SPECIES of CHAMELEON. Working in the field as the author did sounds absolutely fantastic, if gruelling and scary at times. Just when I thought I'd postpone working on reptiles til after my Masters... got to reconsider everything now.
4.5 stars. Common names of the animals would have been appreciated, and the writing style wasn't superb, but the content was very interesting. I've seen some reviews complaining of the jumping around between history, environment, biology and autobiography, but I think it works quite well. I very much enjoyed learning about the author's work in DRC and the sections on the history of the country were instructive and provided lots of useful background information.
4.5 stars. Common names of the animals would have been appreciated, and the writing style wasn't superb, but the content was very interesting. I've seen some reviews complaining of the jumping around between history, environment, biology and autobiography, but I think it works quite well. I very much enjoyed learning about the author's work in DRC and the sections on the history of the country were instructive and provided lots of useful background information.
December 22, 2017
Brilliantly done! Greenbaum does a great job of mixing biodiversity exploration in one of the world's most dangerous regions with the history of the region's corruption. I struggled to put it down and when finished, was left wanting more! Greenbaum should be commended for his exploration and bravery. I was particularly pleased with the inclusion of ways the general public can help. You can tell that Greenbaum truly cares about the region and its people.
December 18, 2017
A fearless scientist and an adventure in a forgotten region of the world, all effortlessly woven into a thoroughly researched historical narrative makes this book a wonderful read and will leave you wanting more.
April 5, 2018
Greenbaum describes his travels in Africa as a herpetology researcher. Many of the areas he visited had not been studied for over a century. A major thrust of the work was to document the species with photographs and DNA samples, as many species exist only as written records.
The logistics of the author's work are daunting, needing to deal with difficult terrain, sickness, danger from the various militias, and even native culture - in Virunga it is widely believed (and even taught in schools) that muzungu (white men) kill black men and drink their blood.
In many cases, the natural forests of the visited areas have been lost due to agriculture and logging for timber and charcoal, a clear demonstration of the loss of environments and their native species.
The author includes much information on the history of Africa, from the earliest explorers through to the later complex struggles among the various factions that have created anarchy in central Africa.
Although the main focus is on herpetology, the author includes interesting information on the gorillas, showing how different locations harbor a variety of species and sub-species. Also, the forest elephant, where DNA analysis has concluded that they are more closely related to an early (120,000 ya) straight-tusked ancestor than they are to the African Savannah Elephant.
The logistics of the author's work are daunting, needing to deal with difficult terrain, sickness, danger from the various militias, and even native culture - in Virunga it is widely believed (and even taught in schools) that muzungu (white men) kill black men and drink their blood.
In many cases, the natural forests of the visited areas have been lost due to agriculture and logging for timber and charcoal, a clear demonstration of the loss of environments and their native species.
The author includes much information on the history of Africa, from the earliest explorers through to the later complex struggles among the various factions that have created anarchy in central Africa.
Although the main focus is on herpetology, the author includes interesting information on the gorillas, showing how different locations harbor a variety of species and sub-species. Also, the forest elephant, where DNA analysis has concluded that they are more closely related to an early (120,000 ya) straight-tusked ancestor than they are to the African Savannah Elephant.
May 11, 2018
If you are expecting an Indiana Jones style story, this book is not for you. Instead, this is a sliver of the real world, albeit a world different than most of us know. Few people are familiar with the scientific field of herpetology, the study of amphibians and reptiles; and even fewer with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The author, a herpetologist from the University of Texas at El Paso, introduces us to both in this record of his collecting expeditions to this herpetologically understudied African nation.
Field studies detailing where, when, and under what ecological conditions biological specimens occur are vital to many areas of science, as are the physical specimens themselves--facts made abundantly clear by the author. Obtaining these data is not easy, as amply demonstrated here. Apart from the physical stresses of landscape and disease, the after-mass of former colonial rule creates political dangers. The author includes just enough political history as to set the political scene.
Overall, this is an excellent introduction to a fascinating and much underrated science.
Field studies detailing where, when, and under what ecological conditions biological specimens occur are vital to many areas of science, as are the physical specimens themselves--facts made abundantly clear by the author. Obtaining these data is not easy, as amply demonstrated here. Apart from the physical stresses of landscape and disease, the after-mass of former colonial rule creates political dangers. The author includes just enough political history as to set the political scene.
Overall, this is an excellent introduction to a fascinating and much underrated science.
December 23, 2017
From the perspective of a health care provider, I thought this book was really interesting, because of the medical misadventures of the author. While dealing with dangerous militias, venomous snakes, arduous climbs into 10,000 foot tall mountains, and several logistical nightmares, he somehow carried on through multiple infections of malaria, typhoid fever, poisoning from a swarm of ants, and other challenges. I really enjoyed his tangents to explain how malaria evolved from other mammal hosts. Yet another source that presents mountains of evidence to justify preservation of nature, especially in the tropics where rainforests are mitigating the effects of global climate change. Climate change deniers beware! A truly engaging and informative read.
December 14, 2017
If you want information on the history and politics of the Congo, this book contains much of that. Too much. The author also tries to justify his "specimen collecting" (killing) of various species, something I don't agree with. The most interesting parts were describing the locations and the people who lived there. Doesn't hold out much hope for holding back extinction of many indigenous animals and plants due to people carving out the land.
September 17, 2021
Really enjoyed reading a book written by a herptologist and his adventures, as I am very interested in the subject of herptology in particular. There were many other stories about other animal encounters, such as gorillas and elephants, which I found less interesting but would probably appeal more to non-herpers. The author goes into a lot of detail about the history of the Congo which I found to be a little too much and I ended up skimming through much of it to get back to the adventures. He ends the book with a stern warning about climate change and some ways we can help, which I very much enjoyed. I thought this was going to be just a book about his herping but it was a great deal more than that.
March 24, 2018
Author Eli Greenbaum is a herpetologist and evolutionary biologist. He's also a modern adventurer.
He's been to the People's Republic of the Congo several times in his quests to document new or rare species of amphibians (and the occasional snake). There is real urgency for this work, as with each acre of jungle that disappears, undiscovered species may disappear forever.
This is also a modern day travel adventure account as central Africa, with its continuing wars and unrest, along with its remote, difficult to access locations, has been overlooked and little understood by the West for many years.
Each chapter begins with a bit about the area he will be traveling in – history, such the colonial ambitions of Belgium's King Leopold II and more current events including wars, uprisings and civil wars including the Hutu/Tsutsi conflict and genocide. We're also introduced to some of the geology of the area that formed the Great Rift; and of course, the endangered gorillas and elephants of the area.
The chapter then continues with the story of his expedition , including the obstacles to travel due to terrain, illnesses such as malaria, and hostile inhabitants. And of course, he describes the creatures that he found, and how they are is important to his research and to understanding our changing planet as a whole.
I enjoyed the sheer adventure of this book, the scientific work and also learning about the Congo. I came away from it with an increased knowledge and appreciation of central Africa. If you're an armchair scientist or an armchair adventurer, I think you'll find this book of interest.
I received this book through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program in exchange for an honest review.
He's been to the People's Republic of the Congo several times in his quests to document new or rare species of amphibians (and the occasional snake). There is real urgency for this work, as with each acre of jungle that disappears, undiscovered species may disappear forever.
This is also a modern day travel adventure account as central Africa, with its continuing wars and unrest, along with its remote, difficult to access locations, has been overlooked and little understood by the West for many years.
Each chapter begins with a bit about the area he will be traveling in – history, such the colonial ambitions of Belgium's King Leopold II and more current events including wars, uprisings and civil wars including the Hutu/Tsutsi conflict and genocide. We're also introduced to some of the geology of the area that formed the Great Rift; and of course, the endangered gorillas and elephants of the area.
The chapter then continues with the story of his expedition , including the obstacles to travel due to terrain, illnesses such as malaria, and hostile inhabitants. And of course, he describes the creatures that he found, and how they are is important to his research and to understanding our changing planet as a whole.
I enjoyed the sheer adventure of this book, the scientific work and also learning about the Congo. I came away from it with an increased knowledge and appreciation of central Africa. If you're an armchair scientist or an armchair adventurer, I think you'll find this book of interest.
I received this book through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program in exchange for an honest review.
January 25, 2020
The biggest problem with this book is that it lacks focus. Perhaps even the author does not know what it is. Is it a travelogue? A history book about Africa? Notes of a herpetologist? Notes of an anthropologist? A memoir? A book on climate change? A history book about third world countries, including Cuba? A book on tropical diseases?
Just what is this jumble of trivia? Well, that's what it is: a jungle of trivia (pun intended). It's not bad. In fact, some parts are quite fun to read. But at the end of the day, its lack of focus makes it a read not for the serious, but the casual reader. From a scientist, however, you'd expect something quite different.
Just what is this jumble of trivia? Well, that's what it is: a jungle of trivia (pun intended). It's not bad. In fact, some parts are quite fun to read. But at the end of the day, its lack of focus makes it a read not for the serious, but the casual reader. From a scientist, however, you'd expect something quite different.
October 15, 2021
Dr. Greenbaum's amazing adventures in the Congo are filled with every form of adversity from malaria to warring factions to blocked roads to spitting cobras. His dedication to herpetology reaches far beyond what many of us are willing to endure. His plea at the close of the book was so beautifully written and clear that we must preserve this amazing planet now. I highly recommend this book. It will take you on an trip that few could ever imagine.
December 23, 2017
This book was awesome! I enjoyed the mix of history and science and the 50 photos and illustrations are amazing. I actually called in sick to work because it was a real page turner and I didn't want to stop reading it. Couldn't recommend more!
July 21, 2018
Eli Greenbaum does an extraordinary job of introducing the layperson to modern day biology, recent history of West Africa, and his adventures during herpetological field trips to West Africa. It's a very informative book and an interesting and fun, easy read well worth your time!
December 25, 2019
I liked this book for it's history of Africa and how it describes the natural landscape. I can't lie I skipped over some of the parts about frogs and saving the Earth. I agree with him, I just don't want to read about it for pages and pages.
December 27, 2017
Great book
August 24, 2020
An excellent foray into the world of ecological conservation, human rights and environmental justice, and biodiversity through a scientific lens.
Greenbaum is by trade, a herpetologist and scientist, and offers at times a didactic and pedantic retelling of his studies in Congo-Kinshasa (DROC). As such, its difficult to fault him for not being the most skilled writer; at times his prose flows a bit jarringly and petulant--think lukewarm soda--but his narration stays true when expounding upon the critical situation we've found ourselves in regarding our changing climate. Greenbaum unpacks the pickle of economic growth and sustainability, and keeps in check his privilege as a white man in post-colonial Africa.
Greenbaum is by trade, a herpetologist and scientist, and offers at times a didactic and pedantic retelling of his studies in Congo-Kinshasa (DROC). As such, its difficult to fault him for not being the most skilled writer; at times his prose flows a bit jarringly and petulant--think lukewarm soda--but his narration stays true when expounding upon the critical situation we've found ourselves in regarding our changing climate. Greenbaum unpacks the pickle of economic growth and sustainability, and keeps in check his privilege as a white man in post-colonial Africa.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews