A Sheltered Life (Hardcover)
Language: English
Published by Oxford University Press Inc, New York, 2005
- Hardcover
- New
Seller: CitiRetail, Stevenage, United KingdomCitiRetail
AbeBooks seller since June 29, 2022
Condition: New
£ 66.99
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Hardcover. For millennia the mighty giant tortoises lived in isolation on remote oceanic islands such as the Galapagos, Seychelles and Mauritius. Then in the sixteenth century sailors discovered that they were good to eat, and their strategic location led to a wholesale plunder of their population by passing ships. Later, many Victorian scientists became fascinated with these creatures, directly inspiring the first understanding of ecology and biogeography and Darwin's theory of natural selection. The giant tortoise was also the subject of the world's first conservation fight in the 1870s. Indeed many people's lives have been touched by these gentle giants. The French were happy to surrender the island of Mauritius in 1810, but baulked at handing over their mascot tortoise, and the British and American governments were forced to concede the tortoises in a major Cold War incident. The twentieth century saw the establishment of wildlife reserves in the Galapagos and elsewhere, but it has been too late for many species. However, modern genetics has been able to track down members of what were once believed to be extinct populations. A Sheltered Life is a fascinating look at one of the world's strangest and most wondrous animals--whose significance in modern science and culture cannot be underestimated. For millennia the mighty giant tortoises lived in isolation on remote oceanic islands such as the Galapagos, Seychelles and Mauritius. Then in the sixteenth century sailors discovered that they were good to eat, and their strategic location led to a wholesale plunder of their population by passing ships. Later, many Victorian scientists became fascinated with these creatures, directly inspiring the first understanding of ecology and biogeography and Darwin's theory of natural selection. The giant tortoise was also the subject of the world's first conservation fight in the 1870s. Indeed many people's lives have been touched by these gentle giants. The French were happy to surrender the island of Mauritius in 1810, but baulked at handing over their mascot tortoise, and the British and American governments were forced to concede the tortoises in a major Cold War incident. The twentieth century saw the establishment of wildlife reserves in the Galapagos and elsewhere, but it has been too late for many species. However, modern genetics has been able to track down members of what were once believed to be extinct populations. A Sheltered Life is a fascinating look at one of the world's strangest and most wondrous animals--whose significance in modern science and culture cannot be underestimated. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.…
Seller Inventory # 9780195223965
- Title
- A Sheltered Life (Hardcover)
- Author
- MR Paul Chambers
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press Inc, New York
- Publication year
- 2005
- Condition
- new
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 0195223969
- ISBN 13
- 9780195223965
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review
'A wonderful exploration of the history of this gentle giant ... Lovingly researched and engagingly narrated' (P D Smith, The Guardian 20040731)
'Chambers' volume is entertaining, elegiac and anything but plodding. With wonderfully arcane asides ... this is a surprisingly revelatory volume' (Scotland on Sunday 20040704)
'Hugely entertaining' (Daily Telegraph 20040828)
'Quirky ... an enjoyable account of an intriguing creature' (The Scotsman 20040807)
'This book is as entrancing as the creature it describes' (Independent 20050408)
'Very readable and full of engrossing anecdotes' (New Scientist 20050402)
'An entertaining volume with a fascinating look into the giant tortoise's history and evolution.' (Sunday Telegraph 20050327)
'A delightful tribute' (Guardian 20050409)
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
CitiRetail
Stevenage, United Kingdom
AbeBooks seller since June 29, 2022
Shipping rates from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
| Item | 7 to 14 business days | 7 to 60 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 37.00 | £ 37.00 |
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