Through a Window: My Thirty Years with the Chimpanzees of Gombe

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HMH, Apr 7, 2010 - Science - 400 pages

The renowned British primatologist continues the “engrossing account” of her time among the chimpanzees of Gombe, Tanzania (Publishers Weekly).
 
In her classic, In the Shadow of Man, Jane Goodall wrote of her first ten years at Gombe. In Through a Window she continues the story, painting a more complete and vivid portrait of our closest relatives.
 
On the shores of Lake Tanganyika, Gombe is a community where the principal residents are chimpanzees. Through Goodall’s eyes we watch young Figan’s relentless rise to power and old Mike’s crushing defeat. We learn how one mother rears her children to succeed and another dooms hers to failure. We witness horrifying murders, touching moments of affection, joyous births, and wrenching deaths.
 
As Goodall compellingly tells the story of this intimately intertwined community, we are shown human emotions stripped to their essence. In the mirror of chimpanzee life, we see ourselves reflected.
 
“A humbling and exalting book . . . Ranks with the great scientific achievements of the twentieth century.” —The Washington Post 
 
“[An] absolutely smashing account . . . Thrilling, affectionate, intelligent—a classic.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

 

Contents

gombe
1
the mind of the chimpanzee
14
the research centre
28
mothers and daughters
38
figans rise
50
power
62
change
76
gilka
87
baboons
143
18
235
19
247
acknowledgments
292
Chimpanee Conservation
307
index
321
about the jane goodall institute
338
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About the author (2010)

Jane Goodall continues to study and write about primate behavior. She founded the Gombe Stream Research Center in Gombe National Park, Tanzania, and the Jane Goodall Institute for Wild Life Research, Education, and Conservation to provide ongoing support for field research on wild chimpanzees. She is the author of many books, including two autobiographies in letters, Africa in My Blood and Beyond Innocence. Today Dr. Goodall spends much of her time lecturing, sharing her message of hope for the future, and encouraging young people to make a difference in their world.

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