In the Kingdom of Gorillas: The Quest to Save Rwanda's Mountain Gorillas

So much information and told as the prospective of the actual researchers. Great book!

It's also one of the best book on conservation. Webber & Vedder accomplished astounding things in Rwanda, under extremely difficult circumstances. I recently experienced the gorilla-visiting service they founded for the Mountain Gorilla Project at Volcanoes National Park. It was indeed moving and thrilling, and its connection to the local people was manifest.Thanks to the Peace Corps for introducing the authors to a then little-known corner of Africa. Thanks to Bill McKibben and Terry Tempest Williams for inspiring them to write an inspiring book.

Let me start by saying that the only criticism I have of this book is that it doesn't talk about the gorillas themselves, their lives and behavior, all that much. If you want a natural history of gorillas, look elsewhere.Having said that--this is an excellent book and I highly recommend it, especially if you're going to Rwanda. The book follows the development of the Mountain Gorilla Project from the last years of Dian Fossey's life through the Rwandan genocide and beyond. It is written by the couple who took over the Project after Fossey's murder, and tells their story in fascinating detail. It is a record of the ongoing struggle to maintain a national park in a poor country, of the commitment and hard work of a few people--Europeans, Americans, Rwandans--in difficult and even deadly circumstances, and, most importantly, of the interactions of poverty, politics, personality, corruption, ignorance, education, inspiration, fear, courage, joy and tragedy in the real world of conservation biology.While this is about one country, one park (mostly) and one species, it will give the reader a much clearer understanding of the diffculties faced by field biologists, park rangers, conservationists and governments the world over who are trying to preserve wild places.The book is written in a lively, conversational style and makes every effort to be even-handed with some difficult personalities (Fossey's not least of these). Even though the book devotes only a chapter to the horror of the genocide, it presents the events in both a larger context and very personal, affecting detail. In fact, one of the great strengths of the book is its graceful incorporation of the big picture and the snapshot to tell a whole story.If you're going to Rwanda (or if you've been there)--BUY THIS BOOK!

I recently had the privilege of spending a morning with the Kwitonda Group of mountain gorillas in the Virunga Volcanoes of Rwanda. It was a dream come true. Many years ago I read George Schaller's Year of the Gorilla and then Dian Fossey's Gorillas in the Mist. That certainly cinched my desire to one day visit the high elevation forests of the Virunga Volcanoes. This remarkable book by Bill Weber and Amy Vedder explains the amazing journey of the researchers and advocates who have protected gorillas by allowing people to get closer, learn more and have the experience of a lifetime. I highly recommend this true account by the conservationists who played key roles in this amazing journey of hope for these great apes.- Tim Merrimanauthor of  The Leopard Tree

I visited the Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda last summer. When I saw this book on Amazon I knew that I just had to get it. The authors were researchers for Dian Fossey and their experiences were unbelievable. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

Gave it away on the advice of another friend as the "best book explaining Rwanda". She's visited, seen Gorillas & the beautiful country. I trust it is excellent.

Fascinating first hand experiences of the post-Fossey era of Gorilla protection and how that involved the Rwandan people and various international organizations. The personal story of Bill Weber and Amy Vedder is compelling reading, as is their experiences of the genocide. I read this book as I was traveling through Africa and it enhanced my Rwandan Gorilla experience immeasureably. It was satisfying to know that the authors are still very highly regarded by the current co-hort of guides and that they still visit the Mountain Gorilla Project regularly.

I recommend this book for anyone who is planning to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

Anyone interested in or is going to Uganda to see the Gorillas must read this book. Also a recommended read, Gorillas in the mist to get a different point of view. I enjoyed this read much more and was lucky enough to visit one of the same Gorilla groups they studied. Very overwhelming experience that will stay with me for a lifetime.

Weber and Vedder's development Mountain Gorilla Project (and Fossey's objections to it) is the centre of this book and is a fascinating account of a battle between two parties devoted to the protection of primates. However, the book really hits its stride when it expands the narrative and relates the conservation of gorillas to the horrific geo-political climate in Rwanda during the 1990s. Incorporating larger questions about the distribution of resources, the protection of mammals during a genocide and governmental corruption means this book raises many complex issues that many similar titles fail to address.

OK

A 12 year old, gorilla enthusiast has had the book at his bedside for a long time. He found it entertaining and informative and awarded it four stars.