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Just Like Us: A Veterinarian’s Visual Memoir of Our Vanishing Great Ape Relatives
For most of his life, veterinarian Rick Quinn ignored a deep longing to meaningfully protect the endangered animals that fascinated him. Then one day, he read two magazine clippings about the great apes and knew it was time to set aside excuses and find the means to help. Armed with his camera and an insatiable curiosity, Dr. Quinn set off for the front lines of great ape conservation.
Just Like Us is a gorgeous tribute to our not-too-distant relatives as well as the courageous people who are risking their lives to protect them.
In this remarkable memoir, we follow Dr. Quinn’s seven-year journey across seven African countries and Indonesia, where he photographed each great ape species in its natural habitat. Using inspiring stories juxtaposed with stunning photographs, he illuminates the threats to great ape survival as well as the complexity of saving them. The result delivers an empathetic sense that these magnificent beings really are―strikingly so―just like us.
Just Like Us is a gorgeous tribute to our not-too-distant relatives as well as the courageous people who are risking their lives to protect them.
In this remarkable memoir, we follow Dr. Quinn’s seven-year journey across seven African countries and Indonesia, where he photographed each great ape species in its natural habitat. Using inspiring stories juxtaposed with stunning photographs, he illuminates the threats to great ape survival as well as the complexity of saving them. The result delivers an empathetic sense that these magnificent beings really are―strikingly so―just like us.
- GenresNonfictionAnimals
246 pages, Hardcover
First published April 6, 2021
7 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Rick Quinn
1 book1 followerAvid wildlife photographer and founding director of Docs4GreatApes, Dr. Rick Quinn serves on both the Canadian and global boards of the Jane Goodall Institute. His veterinary career includes ten years in general practice, training as a veterinary ophthalmologist, and working in a specialty practice managing eye problems in his animal patients. Rick has taught veterinary undergraduate and graduate students and residents. He continues to lecture globally about veterinary ophthalmology and great ape conservation. Rick and his wife, Diane, a family doctor, have raised four children. They live in Ontario, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 21, 2021
Just Like Us is full of interesting information about great apes. I am a big fan of apes so didn't think I would learn as much as I did. There are beautiful pictures of all the great apes in their natural habitats. The pictures really show the personalities of the apes. The pictures of the babies especially with their mothers was my favorite part of Just Like Us.
Just Like Us is a must read for fans of apes.
Thank you Girl Friday Books and NetGalley for Just Like Us.
Just Like Us is a must read for fans of apes.
Thank you Girl Friday Books and NetGalley for Just Like Us.
March 10, 2021
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
Just like us is a beautiful book about the author - Dr Rick Quinns experiences and knowledge told within this visual and written book of memoirs.
The photography is beautiful andcreally captures the beauty of the apes within their natural habitats. This book was such an interesting read and I could feel the live Dr Quinn has for these animals throughout this book.
Some parts of the book are very sad and brought tears to my eyes. I adore apes and what is happening to them, their habitats and around them is devastating.
This is such an important book I urge everyone to read and take note from.
Just like us is a beautiful book about the author - Dr Rick Quinns experiences and knowledge told within this visual and written book of memoirs.
The photography is beautiful andcreally captures the beauty of the apes within their natural habitats. This book was such an interesting read and I could feel the live Dr Quinn has for these animals throughout this book.
Some parts of the book are very sad and brought tears to my eyes. I adore apes and what is happening to them, their habitats and around them is devastating.
This is such an important book I urge everyone to read and take note from.
September 17, 2022
STUNNING! It starts w/the Book Cover, just look at how beautiful this Ape is and it is as if we can see into his being through his eyes.
The story is Dr. Rick Quinn is a veterinarian who specializes in Eye treatments for animals. He reads an article about Gorilla Doctors who go mostly to Africa and parts of Asia to care for different species of Apes and help with Conservation as they are now endangered. He decides to travel to Africa and help with this mission. He takes incredible pictures of the many different Apes.
Very interesting to know is that Apes are Primates and Chimps and Bonobos share 98.4% DNA with Humans.
The reason the Apes are endangered is due mostly to Logging and killing them for Meat. However, he stresses that we must understand the dire circumstances that the local farmers live under. They struggle to survive. In order for Conservation to work, we must assist and listen to the local people in these villages.
Dr. Quinn took the pictures in Rwanda, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malaysia, and the Central African Republic.
This is a book I would very much like to have in the Hard Cover version and will purchase it in April. I think most people would love to look through this Gorgeous book.
Thank you, NetGalley, Ken Quinn, and Girl Friday Productions. It touched my heart to read and see this book and the efforts made to help Apes.
The story is Dr. Rick Quinn is a veterinarian who specializes in Eye treatments for animals. He reads an article about Gorilla Doctors who go mostly to Africa and parts of Asia to care for different species of Apes and help with Conservation as they are now endangered. He decides to travel to Africa and help with this mission. He takes incredible pictures of the many different Apes.
Very interesting to know is that Apes are Primates and Chimps and Bonobos share 98.4% DNA with Humans.
The reason the Apes are endangered is due mostly to Logging and killing them for Meat. However, he stresses that we must understand the dire circumstances that the local farmers live under. They struggle to survive. In order for Conservation to work, we must assist and listen to the local people in these villages.
Dr. Quinn took the pictures in Rwanda, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malaysia, and the Central African Republic.
This is a book I would very much like to have in the Hard Cover version and will purchase it in April. I think most people would love to look through this Gorgeous book.
Thank you, NetGalley, Ken Quinn, and Girl Friday Productions. It touched my heart to read and see this book and the efforts made to help Apes.
March 31, 2021
Just look at those soulful eyes and mischievous smile peering at you from the cover. The minute I saw that face, I knew I would go for this book. And what an experience it has been!
Dr. Rick Quinn is a 60 year old Canadian practising as a vet for most of his adult life. After reading two magazine articles about the great apes, he decided to bring together his qualification – he’s a veterinarian ophthalmologist, his hobby – he loves photography, and his passion – he has had a lifelong desire to do something for animal conservation. He decided to photograph all great ape species and journal his experiences. The culmination of his efforts is this book – an informative tome about our closest relatives on this planet, the great apes. Dr. Quinn’s pet project is his charity named “Docs4GreatApes”, which aims “to improve the health of Great Ape populations, the communities that surround them, and the ecosystem that we share”. The entire proceeds of this book will go to the Wildlife ConserVet Education Program managed by Docs4GreatApes.
Spanning seven years of travel to seven African countries and Indonesia, the book provides a glimpse into the world of the great apes, the forests they inhabit, the people around them, and the various conservation and rehabilitation centres in those areas that strive so hard to ensure that endangered species don’t turn into extinct species. Also included is the work done by a volunteer medical team named Gorilla Doctors, a group of veterinarians who do exactly what their title suggests: provide medical service to wild apes. Their stories are astounding and inspiring.
The information on all types of apes is given in a riveting manner. Be it the various types of gorillas, or orangutans, bonobos or mandrills, the book doesn’t stop at listing out their zoological details but also attempts to offer a glimpse into their emotions, their habits and their lifestyles. The details are very insightful, and can make you terribly emotional at times. Chimpanzees and bonobos are our closest living relatives, sharing an astonishing 98.4 percent of our DNA. Gorillas and orangutans follow closely behind, with 97.7 percent and 96.4 percent similarity in DNA, respectively. Is it any wonder then at just how many common traits we have across our species?
Dr. Quinn emphasizes not just on animal welfare but also on building community-centred conservation organizations. After all, man and beast are in this together. And both of us need each other to ensure a sustainable future. As one line from the book says, “Our fates are intertwined. Any sustainable and meaningful measure to help great apes needs to improve the well-being of the people with whom they share their environment—people, many of whom do not have the power, voice, or means to be heard. They, too, deserve better.”
Though broaching a serious topic, Dr. Quinn balances out the gravitas with his humour. His jovial approach is reminiscent of Sir David Attenborough, and many sections in this book brought to my mind Sir Attenborough’s “Adventures of a Young Naturalist”. The writing is straightforward, humble, sincere, funny and thorough. Truly, the journey of how Dr. Quinn transitioned from a practising vet in Canada to an active conservationist is remarkable and laudable.
What makes the book worth it is not the information and personal experience alone but the magnificent pictures accompanying it. I'm not that much of an ape person but oh my, the photos almost turned me into one! Every single photograph offers a glimpse into how many parallels run between the great apes and our species. I went through the whole book twice; the second time around was just to stare at each and every image to my heart’s content.
I will end with a quote by Jane Goodall, who has also written the foreword for this book:
“Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, we will help. Only if we help, we shall be saved.”
Thank you, NetGalley and Girl Friday Productions, for the Advanced Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Follow me on Instagram: RoshReviews
Dr. Rick Quinn is a 60 year old Canadian practising as a vet for most of his adult life. After reading two magazine articles about the great apes, he decided to bring together his qualification – he’s a veterinarian ophthalmologist, his hobby – he loves photography, and his passion – he has had a lifelong desire to do something for animal conservation. He decided to photograph all great ape species and journal his experiences. The culmination of his efforts is this book – an informative tome about our closest relatives on this planet, the great apes. Dr. Quinn’s pet project is his charity named “Docs4GreatApes”, which aims “to improve the health of Great Ape populations, the communities that surround them, and the ecosystem that we share”. The entire proceeds of this book will go to the Wildlife ConserVet Education Program managed by Docs4GreatApes.
Spanning seven years of travel to seven African countries and Indonesia, the book provides a glimpse into the world of the great apes, the forests they inhabit, the people around them, and the various conservation and rehabilitation centres in those areas that strive so hard to ensure that endangered species don’t turn into extinct species. Also included is the work done by a volunteer medical team named Gorilla Doctors, a group of veterinarians who do exactly what their title suggests: provide medical service to wild apes. Their stories are astounding and inspiring.
The information on all types of apes is given in a riveting manner. Be it the various types of gorillas, or orangutans, bonobos or mandrills, the book doesn’t stop at listing out their zoological details but also attempts to offer a glimpse into their emotions, their habits and their lifestyles. The details are very insightful, and can make you terribly emotional at times. Chimpanzees and bonobos are our closest living relatives, sharing an astonishing 98.4 percent of our DNA. Gorillas and orangutans follow closely behind, with 97.7 percent and 96.4 percent similarity in DNA, respectively. Is it any wonder then at just how many common traits we have across our species?
Dr. Quinn emphasizes not just on animal welfare but also on building community-centred conservation organizations. After all, man and beast are in this together. And both of us need each other to ensure a sustainable future. As one line from the book says, “Our fates are intertwined. Any sustainable and meaningful measure to help great apes needs to improve the well-being of the people with whom they share their environment—people, many of whom do not have the power, voice, or means to be heard. They, too, deserve better.”
Though broaching a serious topic, Dr. Quinn balances out the gravitas with his humour. His jovial approach is reminiscent of Sir David Attenborough, and many sections in this book brought to my mind Sir Attenborough’s “Adventures of a Young Naturalist”. The writing is straightforward, humble, sincere, funny and thorough. Truly, the journey of how Dr. Quinn transitioned from a practising vet in Canada to an active conservationist is remarkable and laudable.
What makes the book worth it is not the information and personal experience alone but the magnificent pictures accompanying it. I'm not that much of an ape person but oh my, the photos almost turned me into one! Every single photograph offers a glimpse into how many parallels run between the great apes and our species. I went through the whole book twice; the second time around was just to stare at each and every image to my heart’s content.
I will end with a quote by Jane Goodall, who has also written the foreword for this book:
“Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, we will help. Only if we help, we shall be saved.”
Thank you, NetGalley and Girl Friday Productions, for the Advanced Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Follow me on Instagram: RoshReviews
Read
June 19, 2021Nice and informative photobook of the great apes. Very scenic and immersive narratives of the author's vacations and work-driven quests to see primates. However, the self-centric style kind of grated for a while; unlike other wildlife books, a lot of the story centers on the author, his achievements, and his family's achievements despite the flimsy relevance to the overarching conservation narrative. Also, I wish he explained more why it was necessary for him to start his own nonprofit, when there were preexisting ones, such as Gorilla Doctors, that had parallel missions and existing well-functioning infrastructure. Nevertheless, this veterinarian is clearly a great force for conservation and has received the benediction of no less than Dr. Jane Goodall herself.
March 1, 2021
Such a beautiful and sad book. The photographs of the animals are amazing and I love the descriptions of how and where they were taken. The stories told in the book were fascinating but some so sad. The author clearly put so much time and detail into this book and it shows. I would love to read more like this.
April 6, 2021
Dr. Rick Quinn is a veterinarian who became fascinated with the great apes (Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Bonobos and Orangutangs) to the point where he spent seven years crossing Africa and Indonesia to photograph them. This tribute is part memoir/part nature book and he delves into the issues of why they are endangered today. The photographs in this book are amazing as he was able to get up close to these animals in their natural habitat. An informative and enjoyable read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Girl Friday Books for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley and Girl Friday Books for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 6, 2021
“If I were willing to listen to my inner voice this time, it could be rewarding.”
Have you ever read an article or seen a video that so moved you that you knew you wanted to do something even though it seemed a bit outrageous? If so, then you are in good company with this memoir/travelogue.
Dr. Rick Quinn, a practicing veterinarian, felt such a stirring after a chance reading of two magazine articles about great apes. He wanted to do something to contribute to their conservation. With limited species knowledge but specialized ophthalmology experience, he and a colleague volunteered to provide some training to the Gorilla Doctors in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The trip was transformative. As a result, great apes became the focal point for his charity project. This became not only his passion but also his vocation.
Quinn uses a self-deprecating tone and supplies enough description to create the atmosphere of being along on his journey. The story evolves as he learns more and takes greater risks. He wonders about whether or not gorilla habituation to humans is good or bad for the species. (The answer depends on the situation.) He researches how orangutans ended up in Sumatra and Borneo when their closest relatives are in central Africa. He witnesses the impact of civil wars, deforestation, poverty, human displacement, and the almost inevitable toll these have on habitat and wild populations.
The stories can sometimes be deeply sad but the accompanying photos will surely lift your heart. Look into the eyes of these apes. You will be captivated.
Quinn’s charity, Docs4GreatApes, receives all the proceeds from this book. The charity recognizes that wildlife conservation efforts often must align with humanitarian ones to relieve human poverty and suffering. It promotes a “One Health” concept, a holistic approach connecting the health of animals, humans, and the environment.
Why you should not miss this one:
The photos! The photos! The photos!
The story reminds you that small steps can lead to great outcomes.
All the proceeds support a worthwhile cause.
Thanks to NetGalley, Girl Friday Productions, and the author, Rick Quinn, for the opportunity to read a digital copy in exchange for this review.
#NetGalley #JustLikeUs
Have you ever read an article or seen a video that so moved you that you knew you wanted to do something even though it seemed a bit outrageous? If so, then you are in good company with this memoir/travelogue.
Dr. Rick Quinn, a practicing veterinarian, felt such a stirring after a chance reading of two magazine articles about great apes. He wanted to do something to contribute to their conservation. With limited species knowledge but specialized ophthalmology experience, he and a colleague volunteered to provide some training to the Gorilla Doctors in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The trip was transformative. As a result, great apes became the focal point for his charity project. This became not only his passion but also his vocation.
Quinn uses a self-deprecating tone and supplies enough description to create the atmosphere of being along on his journey. The story evolves as he learns more and takes greater risks. He wonders about whether or not gorilla habituation to humans is good or bad for the species. (The answer depends on the situation.) He researches how orangutans ended up in Sumatra and Borneo when their closest relatives are in central Africa. He witnesses the impact of civil wars, deforestation, poverty, human displacement, and the almost inevitable toll these have on habitat and wild populations.
The stories can sometimes be deeply sad but the accompanying photos will surely lift your heart. Look into the eyes of these apes. You will be captivated.
Quinn’s charity, Docs4GreatApes, receives all the proceeds from this book. The charity recognizes that wildlife conservation efforts often must align with humanitarian ones to relieve human poverty and suffering. It promotes a “One Health” concept, a holistic approach connecting the health of animals, humans, and the environment.
Why you should not miss this one:
The photos! The photos! The photos!
The story reminds you that small steps can lead to great outcomes.
All the proceeds support a worthwhile cause.
Thanks to NetGalley, Girl Friday Productions, and the author, Rick Quinn, for the opportunity to read a digital copy in exchange for this review.
#NetGalley #JustLikeUs
February 7, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and Girl Friday Productions for an opportunity to read Just Like Us
This is such a beautiful book - I can’t stop looking at the photos and will definitely be buying a copy for my bookshelf .
This is such a beautiful book - I can’t stop looking at the photos and will definitely be buying a copy for my bookshelf .
January 12, 2025
Part memoir, part ape conservation facts, all amazing photographs, with the thesis that in order to protect vulnerable wildlife, we must protect the vulnerable humans who live near them.
February 5, 2021
Correction to ISBN: 9781734880212
Excellent study of Great Ape struggle to survive in the face of vanishing habitat, poaching and kidnapping for illegal sale.
Excellent study of Great Ape struggle to survive in the face of vanishing habitat, poaching and kidnapping for illegal sale.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews