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"From my back window the forest rose in a wall of green, every possible shade, as if the whole spectrum
were made from one color . . ."
So begins Thor Hanson's remarkable journey into the heart of
Africa. Lying in the remote hills of southwest Uganda, the Impenetrable Forest harbors elephants, chimpanzees, monkeys, and
half the world's population of endangered mountain gorillas. For two years Hanson called that forest home, working with local
guides and trackers to develop a gorilla tourism program in the newly formed Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Thoroughly
researched and beautifully told, Hanson's story blends natural history with cultural insight to place the forest and the gorillas
in the context of modern Africa. He writes of "the inseparable weave of people and landscape," and how in Uganda, the survival
of either depends upon the survival of both. At once humorous, revealing and poignant, The Impenetrable Forest offers
a rare and unforgettable glimpse into the world of mountain gorillas and the human cultures that surround them.
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More praise for The Impenetrable Forest:
"Thor Hanson’s
‘The Impenetrable Forest’ takes us on several remarkable journeys.... Hanson’s lighthearted, yet poignant
stories of life in Uganda make you feel like you are right next to him throughout his adventures and
misadventures. The book uniquely intertwines the natural history of mountain
gorillas with the culture of the people that live as their neighbors. I highly
recommend this book to anyone who wants a personal account, yet well-rounded view, of the conservation issues surrounding
a charismatic species such as the mountain gorilla."
—Martha
M. Robbins, PhD,
Department
of Primatology,
Max
Planck Institute
"Hanson’s
entertaining, personal, and humane story of the creation of this world-class eco-park is highly recommended.”
—Next
Generation Indie Book Awards,
Nature/Environment
Judge
"...a downright wonderful
book. A fine writer and a superb naturalist, he brings the true observer's eye
and the artist's sensibility to one of the most compelling subjects in all natural history....an unforgettable book—funny,
tragic and brilliant."
—Robert
Michael Pyle, Sky Time in Gray's River
and
Where Bigfoot Walks
"If you love to read about people who’ve made a difference, Thor's life - full of successes and disappointments
- makes a fascinating, inspiring memoir."
—John Coyne, Living on the Edge and
The Caddie
Who Knew Ben Hogan
"Thor Hanson's memoir is a fascinating and enjoyable read. Particularly
timely, it gives us great insight into conservation and ecotourism in a world that is often harsh and cruel. More so, though, Impenetrable Forest transforms the mountain gorillas
of Uganda and the people who care for
them into deep, complex, loving characters. "
—Garth
Stein, NYT Bestselling Author
of The Art of Racing in the Rain
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| Visit The Author's Website |
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| thorhanson.net |
| Visit the Publisher's Website |
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| 1500 Books |
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