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Working for Wildness: A Naturalist Guide’s Travels in the Arctic, Antarctica, Africa, India, Russia, New Zealand and Scotland
When Colin starts working as a wildlife conservation guide, little does he imagine the extent of the exhilarating and heartbreaking challenges ahead. From polar bears and penguins to wildcats, leopards, rhinos, possums and pilot whales, he finds himself witnessing the perils facing global animal life, as well as the challenges confronting those who work tirelessly to protect it.
Narrated with humour and sensitivity, Working for Wildness is a compellingly textured tribute to nature's global diversity and to humankind's complex relationship with those things around us that are still untamed.
A perfect choice for animal lovers, readers of travel memoirs and those interested in conservation.
Narrated with humour and sensitivity, Working for Wildness is a compellingly textured tribute to nature's global diversity and to humankind's complex relationship with those things around us that are still untamed.
A perfect choice for animal lovers, readers of travel memoirs and those interested in conservation.
- GenresNonfiction
204 pages, Paperback
Published July 16, 2018
3 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 22, 2018
I absolutely loved this book. The author, Colin Souness, has travelled all over the world with his work in various conservation jobs. What a tremendously adventurous and occasionally dangerous life he has led. He takes us with him on his worldwide travels and helps us to see the way that conservation is viewed from different perspectives. I must say reading this book made me regard conservation in a new light.
He writes such wonderful descriptions that you can actually visualise the scenes unfolding before your eyes. At the same time he manages to inject a good bit of humour into his writing, which very much appealed to me. It’s a book that will make you laugh and perhaps cry, but you will have learned from it too. I particularly enjoyed reading about his time in New Zealand and about the conservation work being done there. Talk about being flung in at the deep end!
There is also a link to photographs of a number of the scenes and animals referred to in the book and they are quite simply amazing! A picture can tell a thousand words so these were a real bonus. I’d love to read more of Colin’s adventures so I do hope we will hear more from him in the future. I was privileged to be a Beta reader for this book. I can highly recommend it.
He writes such wonderful descriptions that you can actually visualise the scenes unfolding before your eyes. At the same time he manages to inject a good bit of humour into his writing, which very much appealed to me. It’s a book that will make you laugh and perhaps cry, but you will have learned from it too. I particularly enjoyed reading about his time in New Zealand and about the conservation work being done there. Talk about being flung in at the deep end!
There is also a link to photographs of a number of the scenes and animals referred to in the book and they are quite simply amazing! A picture can tell a thousand words so these were a real bonus. I’d love to read more of Colin’s adventures so I do hope we will hear more from him in the future. I was privileged to be a Beta reader for this book. I can highly recommend it.
March 25, 2023
Working for Wildness explores how Colin Souness sees conservation around the world—what’s worthy of safeguarding and why. Spanning many countries, the author shares his love of wildlife. It fascinated me to learn about kiwis since few people have ever seen one in the wild.
How Colin described the scenery mesmerized me, and I felt like I was there with him. His imagery of Greenland holds a special place in my heart. From leopard hunts to seeing jackals and polar bears, this book left me wanting more adventure. But I will take with me forever: “Everything we do, everywhere we go, we leave our mark. No action, however well intended, is without its consequence.” Well done, Colin, for making me aware of my mark in all I do.
How Colin described the scenery mesmerized me, and I felt like I was there with him. His imagery of Greenland holds a special place in my heart. From leopard hunts to seeing jackals and polar bears, this book left me wanting more adventure. But I will take with me forever: “Everything we do, everywhere we go, we leave our mark. No action, however well intended, is without its consequence.” Well done, Colin, for making me aware of my mark in all I do.
January 18, 2019
This book's full name includes the sub-title 'A naturalist's travels in the Arctic, Antarctica, Africa, India, Russia, New Zealand and Scotland' and it really covers all these astonishing regions.
The author, Colin Souness, writes in an academically anecdotal way, if I can put it like that. The book is divided into chapters that cover his different experiences in the countries and regions mentioned and poses questions that challenge our perception of conservation like no other. I was intrigued, fascinated, horrified and saddened in equal measure. However, I also felt the author's love for what he does, his respect for the natural world and his overriding passion with the wilderness, whether it be Antarctica or Africa. I particularly enjoyed the parts about Africa, but that's probably no surprise with my background.
One aspect struck me with some force, however. Colin Souness writes about his work in the efforts to protect, conserve and develop the Kiwi population in New Zealand where these special birds are a national symbol and yet frighteningly close to extinction. Sadly, they are prey to a number of other 'imported' animals, such as possums and domestic cats, so much of his labour was to trap and despatch these predators. The author says with some (I believe) sadness that to protect one animal, he has to kill an awful lot of others, and that is the paradox of this type of vocation. It is a tough call, and not an easy one to make.
What the book also made me realise is that the life of a naturalist is not for the faint-hearted or lily-livered. I know I would not be fit for the job. Many animal species live on other animals; nature is tough. The author also shows how many interests have to be considered in conservation (not least, the needs of humanity), and above all, the factor of relevance must be examined, in all its different contexts.
This is a fascinating, absorbing book that has given me completely new insights on conservation, preservation and environmentalism. It is both thought-provoking in content and entertaining in style. I would say that in today's complicated world, it is a must-read if we are to begin to understand the concept of conservation and what it means to us as individuals.
The author, Colin Souness, writes in an academically anecdotal way, if I can put it like that. The book is divided into chapters that cover his different experiences in the countries and regions mentioned and poses questions that challenge our perception of conservation like no other. I was intrigued, fascinated, horrified and saddened in equal measure. However, I also felt the author's love for what he does, his respect for the natural world and his overriding passion with the wilderness, whether it be Antarctica or Africa. I particularly enjoyed the parts about Africa, but that's probably no surprise with my background.
One aspect struck me with some force, however. Colin Souness writes about his work in the efforts to protect, conserve and develop the Kiwi population in New Zealand where these special birds are a national symbol and yet frighteningly close to extinction. Sadly, they are prey to a number of other 'imported' animals, such as possums and domestic cats, so much of his labour was to trap and despatch these predators. The author says with some (I believe) sadness that to protect one animal, he has to kill an awful lot of others, and that is the paradox of this type of vocation. It is a tough call, and not an easy one to make.
What the book also made me realise is that the life of a naturalist is not for the faint-hearted or lily-livered. I know I would not be fit for the job. Many animal species live on other animals; nature is tough. The author also shows how many interests have to be considered in conservation (not least, the needs of humanity), and above all, the factor of relevance must be examined, in all its different contexts.
This is a fascinating, absorbing book that has given me completely new insights on conservation, preservation and environmentalism. It is both thought-provoking in content and entertaining in style. I would say that in today's complicated world, it is a must-read if we are to begin to understand the concept of conservation and what it means to us as individuals.
July 20, 2018
An amazing book.
I loved this book. I really enjoyed it, and found it very interesting and fascinating. I really felt I was gaining knowledge as I read this book; enriching my knowledge. The author has had a very interesting life which of course makes for a very interesting book. Fascinating experiences up close and personal with the animals. I loved the photos too which are accessible via a link in the book.
I loved this book. I really enjoyed it, and found it very interesting and fascinating. I really felt I was gaining knowledge as I read this book; enriching my knowledge. The author has had a very interesting life which of course makes for a very interesting book. Fascinating experiences up close and personal with the animals. I loved the photos too which are accessible via a link in the book.
August 29, 2020
Well written book
Interesting stories about maintaining the endangered and rare wildlife in different parts of the world. Also the author explains conservation in a relatable way. Stories of animals and experiences working for a variety of people and trying to relate to different ethnic groups. You may laugh or cry.
Interesting stories about maintaining the endangered and rare wildlife in different parts of the world. Also the author explains conservation in a relatable way. Stories of animals and experiences working for a variety of people and trying to relate to different ethnic groups. You may laugh or cry.
January 12, 2025
An excellent book on the complexities of conservation. Loved Colin's stories (and his humor) of his conservation experiences and the questions he has us think about.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews