I read about this book after reading an article about the Taron people (via the Now I Know blog). I was interested enough that I ILL'd the book. It's part travelogue, part memoir and part cultural history of Burma/Myanmar. The author, a wildlife scientist, tells the story of his travels deep into Burma/Myanmar. He discusses the history of the country, as well as the political climate (the book was published in 2001 and takes place in the late 1990s). But interspersed throughout the book are brief encounters with Rabinowitz's own life (his trouble marriage, his stuttering, etc). They work to ground the reader to the idea that traveling, for science or for fun, isn't easy and that everything we do has consequences.

I liked the book, I liked Rabinowitz's insights and his devotion to helping the people and wildlife of Myanmar/Burma. There are two sets of pictures that give the reader a clue into what Rabinowitz saw, even if we don't really understand the scale of what he's done. ( )

Author explored remote northern myanmar (former Burma) with grudging permission from government. Finds new species and some self discovery. Strangely relates to other books recently read: The Spirit Catches, Three cups of Tea

This is complex book. On one hand, it is a story of trying to get protection for endangered wildlife. On another hand, it is the story of human population pressure on a previousy diverse ecosystem. On another hand it is a story of an exciting adventure into lands so remote foriegners had never entered. All three themes are carried out well by the author. ( )