No Way Home: The Decline of the World's Great Animal Migrations

by David S. Wilcove

Book Overview

Animal migration is a magnificent sight: a mile-long blanket of cranes rising from a Nebraska river and filling the sky; hundreds of thousands of wildebeests marching across the Serengeti; a blaze of orange as millions of monarch butterflies spread their wings to take flight. Nature's great migrations have captivated countless spectators, none more so than premier ecologist David S. Wilcove. In No Way Home, his awe is palpable--as are the growing...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1559639857
• ISBN13: 9781559639859
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Island Press
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

An excellent book!

David Wilcove does an excellent job with this book. Animal migration is a fascinating topic, and there is much we still do not know about it. Wilcove describes in very readable detail the intricacies of migration of a variety of species and the conservation challenges they (and we) face. It is well suited for non-scientists who are interested in animal migration, but scientists interested in the topic will certainly not be disappointed.

Migration like you've never thought of it before

This is an incredibly well-written and engaging book that not only opens up your thinking about migrations to include insects, fish, and mammals along with birds, but it brings into sharp focus the losses of migratory species and behavior that have already occurred. Wilcove really made me think even more about why protecting large intact ecosystems like the Boreal is important. [...] Jeff Wells author, Birder's Conservation Handbook Birder's Conservation Handbook: 100 North American Birds at Risk

No Way Home - Too Late to Help?

The author does a fantastic job presenting significant examples of the decline of animal migrations, which should raise one's ire to the destruction and unconscionable acts of the human population, both in the past and still today. My only hope is that enough pressure is placed on governments throughout the world to help protect one of nature truly awe inspiring events. Unfortunately, a majority of Americans will bypass the opportunity to read this insightful book in lieu of watching "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" or some other worthless drivel to which we are subjected on a daily basis. I'm looking forward to reading Mr. Wilcove's previous title, "The Condor's Shadow".

An important & engaging book

In his second book, No Way Home: The Decline of the World's Great Animal Migrations, David Wilcove renders an excellent account of an imperiled phenomenon most of us take for granted: migration. With one eye on the perils migrating creatures face and his other eye on the wonders of their journeys, the author both informs and entertains us. He sits front seat on a white-knuckle, high speed car chase after tagged dragonflies, wanders African plains in search of a million of wildebeests, and more. This book is as important as it is readable--a call to save not only breeding habitat for animals as diverse as butterflies and wildebeasts, but also to protect their winter homes and stopover sites between.

Like National Geographic, only better

If you've ever wished that your favorite nature article in National Geographic would go on for longer, No Way Home is the book for you. David Wilcove, one of the most respected conservation biologists in North America, vividly describes wildlife migrations from oceans to the skies and from dense Neotropical forests to open African grasslands. His facts are unimpeachable and his stories are utterly absorbing. The seven chapters in No Way Home draw readers into the adventures of songbirds, monarch butterflies, great herds of ungulates, marine mammals, sea turtles, anadromous fishes, and more. We are treated to inside views of a National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, great northwestern rivers, the spectacular Masai Mara, and urban parks close to the hearts of local residents. Wilcove's commitment to conserving the mysterious phenomena of migration is clear, yet his tone is never preachy. Instead, he presents a straightforward explanation of why the legacy of human settlement and growth makes it difficult for animals to complete their life's journey. Tales of goofy ecologists, dedicated politicians, and even an intrepid author enliven the text. The book's tone is conversational. Threads of discussion range widely, but never lose cohesion. Wilcove's message is realistic - climate change and economic pressures complicate dispersal for many creatures. Nevertheless, numerous innovative partnerships among conservationists, management agencies, and private citizens successfully have protected key habitats for migratory species. Such cooperative agreements also protect ecological processes that promote social equity and human well-being. No Way Home is a fine read for outdoor enthusiasts, armchair tourists, and professional scientists alike. It is suitable for virtually all ages and political philosophies. The only drawback to the book is its lack of glossy photographs. For that, you'll need to renew the Geographic subscription.