A Sheltered Life: The Unexpected History of the Giant Tortoise

by Paul Chambers

Book Overview

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...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195223969
• ISBN13: 9780195223965
• Release Date: November 2005
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.6" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

beautiful, moving, warning knell

As a lifelong fan of turtles in general and giant tortoises in particular, I was thrilled to find out about this book, and even more thrilled to read it. While there is much here that makes me ashamed of our species, there is also great entertainment, a terrific conservation message, and much to challenge the notion that we have been given, or assumed, "domininion" over the birds and the beasts. Mr. Chambers interweaves the sad fate of these fantastic creatures with the foibles and passions of such historical luminaries as Charles Darwin and a former head of the Rothschild clan. The result is a poignant and masterful portrayal of the magnificence of nature, and the bumbling of those of us who ignore the natural world, as well as the strange twists that befall even those of us who love it. I recommend this book to anyone exploring the history of conservation, those concerned with the future of the planet, and, of course, turtle lovers everywhere. Bravo!

An exciting natural history adventure book

Paul Chambers writes well. He is also an exceptional researcher and storyteller. I had heard Chambers speak on one of the BBC's NakedScientists podcasts and not only enjoyed his profound knowledge but also his sense of restrained drama. Yet I picked up this book twice before making the purchase. How could a feminist and museologist find something of interested in a natural history history of the giant tortoise. Something told me to take the plunge and make the purchase. Within the first page I was captivated, Chambers draws us into the scenario of the young Mr Darwin arriving at the Galapagos and being asked by his host, "you will, of course, stay for lunch? [...] I can offer you goat, pig or tortoise?" As a reader I enjoyed the way Chambers organised each of the chapters, balancing out the stories of the Indian Ocean and Galapagos tortoises, elaborating in careful detail the story of Charles Darwin, Albert Gunter one of the earliest ecology environmentalists, a taste of Victorian collectomania as demonstrated by the fervour of Walter Rothschild and the period of the great scientific expeditions (aka raiding parties) by leading universities of the time. Interspersed throughout the chapters was a story of the early whalers, trade routes, colonisation, territorial protection and later, DNA modelling. In essence, this book was a riveting read with a well hammered environmental message. And with numerous mentions of the word 'museum' I now wonder how I could have hesitated to read this book in the first place. I'm off to read Chambers first book now, Bones of Contention.

Concise, comprehensive, yet thorough history of the worlds giant tortoises

I am ashamed. I knew little about giant tortoises except that Darwin had one named Harriet and that there are some that live in the hills of the Galapagos that go into warm volcanic soil to lay their eggs. Had I chanced upon this book before my visit to the Mascarene Islands, I would've given these ancient, magnificent, and awe-inspiring reptiles their deserved attention when I met them. Paul Chambers has done a remarkable job in recognising the characters of his audience as he has delivered a wonderfully entertaining recount of the discovery, torment, exhaltation, recognition, then conservation of the giant tortoises of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Be convinced that Chambers' knack at story-telling, served by intricate and exhaustive research processes, is that which has made this book a success. No doubt, the history of the giant tortoises is itself a truly fascinating topic, however, it is a long history and Chambers knits it tightly into just over 300-pages. Complimented with thought-provoking illustrations and guiding maps, Chambers also supplements readers with archived photographs where available and enchanting excerpts from the journals of renowned naturalists including Darwin and Wallace (whom, when you read this book, aren't as significan't characters to the story as you think!). Chambers has inspired curiosity and instilled amazement in this group of animals that has come so close to being decemated by development. A well-paced read, that is acutely balanced and finely structured, be prepared to journey back into the ages of the sea-faring colonists, and discover as they did, the unique giant tortoises that have for millenia, led a sheltered life.

Nifty Journey with Very Large Turtles!!!

This is a flawless study of how huge tortoises were at first discovered, then eaten, then sold for their oil and shells, bred, and analyzed by a lot of top zoologists, including Darwin himself! Also, a nice look at the human and biological history of the Galopagos Islands, where the author claims that tortoises and their evolution were as important to Darwin's ideas as the more famous finches. One tortoise still living has been said to be a survivor of Darwin's menagerie, and the author studies the geneological background of this large,elderly lady! He is very skeptical that the animal has lived to be over 170, since the 1830's, but gives a strong case of birth in the 1870's, still very elderly in her 130's!! With some nice drawings , and general large turtle history in islands in the Indian ocean ,this book is a fairly easy, and very interesting page turner, especially for so heavy and old a subject!