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Reading List
From Dr. Seuss to Darwin, many writers have penned "must reads" for anyone interested in wildlife and conservation. Zoo and FONZ staff created the following list of educational and inspirational books.
The Ancestor's Tale by Richard Dawkins
"From my book review: 'Let me encourage you, no, urge you, to scrape time from your hectic schedule, gather up your intellectual courage, and take an amazing adventure through the four-billion-year-long history of life on Earth with the smartest, funniest, most exuberant tour guide one can imagine.' Read Darwin, then Dawkins and be amazed at the power of natural selection." —Susan Lumpkin, Director of Communications, FONZ
Animal Architecture by Karl von Frisch
Recommended by Alan Peters, Assistant Curator, Animal Programs, Invertebrate Exhibit and Pollinarium
Appointment at the Ends of the World by William Karesh
"The author is the best field vet of our time and a former Zoo employee!" —Ryan Valdez, Director, Amazon GIS Project
The Autobiography of Charles Darwin
"The Autobiography of Charles Darwin is wonderful. Darwin was a great thinker but not a great writer, but his autobiography is full of charm and small insights. There is a wonderful passage where he laments 'if I had to live my life again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week; for perhaps the parts of my brain now atrophied would thus have been kept active through use.'" —David Kessler, Biologist, Small Mammals
Born Free by Joy Adamson
Recommended by Ryan Valdez, Director, Amazon GIS Project
Beyond the Hundredth Meridian: John Wesley Powell and the Second Opening of the West by Wallace Stegner
"A must for anyone interested in conservation and process. Most folks know John Wesley Powell from his exploration of the Colorado River and Grand Canyon, but his work with Native Americans, the Smithsonian, the Geological Survey, and the management of the West are just as impressive. Stegner calls this the 'biography of a career,' and it is a most pointed, opinionated, and scholarly work. Probably my top choice on this list." —David Kessler, Biologist, Small Mammals
Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World by Mark Kurlansky
"This slender book is an eclectic, colorful, but ultimately sad story of the loss of a natural resourcecodand of a relationship with the natural world." —From a book review by Susan Lumpkin, Director of Communications, FONZ
The Condor's Shadow: The Loss and Recovery of Wildlife in America by
David S. Wilcove, Foreword by E.O. Wilson
Recommended by Amy Miller, Education Manager, Department of Education and Volunteer Services, FONZ
Crab Wars: A Tale of Horseshoe Crabs, Bioterrorism, and Human Health by William Sargent
"The title may be a bit off-putting, but it really is wonderful." —Helen Moore, Program Manager, Department of Education and Volunteer Services, FONZ
Cry of the Kalahari by Mark James Owens and Delia Dykes Owens
"An incredible story of not just interesting Kalahari research, but how these two people managed to conduct long-term work with little or no money. Their passion for studying Africa's wildlife enabled them to succeed." —Ryan Valdez, Director, Amazon GIS Project
Darwin: The Life of a Tormented Evolutionist by Adrian Desmond and James Moore
"The best biography of Darwin I've read so far. It places him in historic, sociological, and religious contexts. Don't forget to read the footnotes—they're fascinating." —David Kessler, Biologist, Small Mammals
The Diversity of Life by E.O. Wilson
"The core book on biodiversity" —John Seidensticker, Senior Scientist
Design with Nature by Ian L. McHarg
"Key book for the environmental movement" —John Seidensticker, Senior Scientist
Discordant Harmonies: A New Ecology for the Twenty-first Century by Daniel B. Botkin
"Brings the issues of the forces of change into ecology and conservation" —John Seidensticker, Senior Scientist
Eco-Economy: Building an Economy for the Earth
by Lester Brown
"This is a good discussion of how our economic policies are detrimental to conservation and offers some interesting solutions." —Emily Rodeheffer, Program Coordinator, Development, Membership, and Marketing, FONZ
Ecological Imperialism: The Biological Expansion of Europe, 900-1900 by Alfred W. Crosby
"This book, emphasizing the importance of biology in history, will change forever the way you think about the past." —Susan Lumpkin, Director of Communications, FONZ
Ethics on the Ark: Zoos, Animal Welfare, and Wildlife Conservation edited by Bryan G. Norton, Michael Hutchins, Elizabeth F. Stevens, and Terry L. Maple
"A compilation of essays on enthralling topics that can be read like short stories before bedtime."
—Nette Pletcher, Education Specialist, Department of Education and Volunteer Services, FONZ
"It is my favorite because it is a compilation of articles that challenge your views on animal ethics and conservation no matter which side of the 'to zoo or not to zoo' argument you are on. Good book!"
—Craig Saffoe, Animal Keeper, Cheetah Conservation Station
The Forgotten Pollinators by Stephen L. Buchmann and Gary Paul Nabhan
Recommended by Alan Peters, Assistant Curator, Animal Programs, Invertebrate Exhibit and Pollinarium
Game Management by Aldo Leopold
"The first and still classic book on wildlife management" —John Seidensticker, Senior Scientist
The Growth of Biological Thought: Diversity, Evolution, and Inheritance by Ernst Mayr
"Traces the history of biological and environment in Western thought" —John Seidensticker, Senior Scientist
Guns, Germs, and Steel: the Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond
Recommended by Miles Roberts, Deputy Head, Department of Conservation Biology
Jungles by Frans Lanting
Recommended by Miles Roberts, Deputy Head, Department of Conservation Biology
Just So Stories for Little Children by Rudyard Kipling
Recommended by Miles Roberts, Deputy Head, Department of Conservation Biology
The Kookaburras' Song: Exploring Animal Behavior in Australia by John Alcock
Recommended by Miles Roberts, Deputy Head, Department of Conservation Biology
Last Animals at the Zoo: How Mass Extinction Can Be Stopped by Colin Tudge
"Explores some unique perspectives on conservation issues." —Nette Pletcher, Education Specialist, Department of Education and Volunteer Services, FONZ
Lives of a Cell: Notes on a Biology Watcher
by Lewis Thomas
"Lucid, elegant prose." —David Kessler, Biologist, Small Mammals
Living on the Wind:
Across the Hemisphere With Migratory Birds by Scott Weidensaul
"This is a fairly recent book that beautifully and engagingly summarizes current knowledge and research on migratory birds and highlights the challenges of conserving such mobile creatures (written for a lay audience)." —Mary Deinlein, Bird Conservation/Education Specialist, Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
"This is probably one of the first things that sparked my interest in conservation at a very young age. Like all of Dr. Seuss' books, there are great rhymes, original creatures, and fun illustrations. But here there is also something more—a powerful message that Seuss implores both adults and children to heed. The Lorax is an ecological warning of the dangers of clear-cutting, pollution, and disregard for the earth's environment. Unfortunately, it is even more relevant today than when it was written in 1971." —John Gibbons, Public Affair Specialist
Mad Cowboy: Plain Truth from the Cattle Rancher Who Won't Eat Meat by Howard Lyman
"This book is about the effects of eating meat on the environment and your health. Mr. Lyman was a third generation cattle rancher who is now vegan because of what he has learned." —Rebecca Smithson, Animal Keeper, Small Mammals
Mountain Sheep, A Study in Behavior and Evolution by Valerius Geist
Recommended by John Seidensticker, Senior Scientist
My Side of the Mountain by
Jean Craighead George
"This book fostered my interest in the outdoors."
—Matt Olear, Media Specialist, FONZ
My Small Country Living by Jeanine McMullen
"It's a delightful and hilarious book that can be read over and over again about a woman who aquires animals she doesn't know how to care for and learns to take care of them and loves them." —Angela Marlow, Animal Keeper, Small Mammals
The Naked Ape by Desmond Morris
"Shamefully, this book had a strong effect on me. One can argue against many of his conclusions, but the book did provoke me into looking at humans, and subsequently all primates, in an entirely different light." —Stephen Schulze, Animal Keeper, Small Mammals
The Naturalist on the River Amazons by Henry Bates
Recommended by Miles Roberts, Deputy Head, Department of Conservation Biology
Nature by Ralph Waldo Emerson
"His writing is beautiful. It made me look at living things around me differently." —Pam Bucklinger, Manager, Membership and Programs, Development, Membership, and Marketing, FONZ
Neotropical Companion by John Kricher
Recommended by Miles Roberts, Deputy Head, Department of Conservation Biology
Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat
"A humorous and poignant study of one of the most persecuted and misunderstood predators, and a plea for its protection." —Shannon Lyons, Associate Editor, ZooGoer
"For better or worse, reading this book as an undergraduate changed the course of my life, inspiring me to pursue the study of animal behavior." —Susan Lumpkin, Director of Communications, FONZ
On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
"Everyone should read this revolutionary text that set out the theory of evolution by natural selection and changed the world." —Susan Lumpkin, Director of Communications, FONZ
Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver
"This work of fiction explores issues like organic farming and predator eradication pretty thoroughly through the eyes of characters living in Appalachia. I love her because she makes very strong points without ever being the slightest bit preachy." —Emily Rodeheffer, Program Coordinator, Development, Membership, and Marketing, FONZ
Rascal by Sterling North
"The first nature book I read that really influenced me was Rascal. Written in the early sixties, it was a nostalgic but clear-eyed look back to the teens. And what a swell raccoon!" —David Kessler, Biologist, Small Mammals
Reason for Hope, by Jane Goodall
"It's a wonderfully written memoir that does not shy away from facing the realities of environmental destruction, animal abuse, and genocide. But Goodall shares her specific examples of why she has not lost faith. For instance, she shares her spiritual epiphany during a visit to Auschwitz; her bravery in the face of chimpanzee imprisonment in medical laboratories; and devotes a whole chapter to individuals, corporations, and countries that are doing the right thing. But most of all Goodall provides a beautifully written plea for why everyone can and must find a reason for hope." —John Gibbons, Public Affair Specialist
Ring of Bright Water by Gavin Maxwell
"This is the first book documenting the lives and behavior of otters, starting with a now-extinct species from the Middle East (named after the author) and ending with a fantastic and enjoyable record of living with them in a cabin off the coast of Scotland. A very impressive and well-written story." —Ryan Valdez, Director, Amazon GIS Project
A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold
"The bible of the conservation movement" —John Seidensticker, Senior Scientist
"It's a great book of essays about natural history and conservation." —Tony Barthel, Assistant Curator, Elephants and Cheetahs
"an articulate, insightful meditation on a particular American landscape" Stephen Schulze, Animal Keeper, Small Mammals
Also recommended by Miles Roberts, Deputy Head, Department of Conservation Biology, and Ryan Valdez, Director, Amazon GIS Project
The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins
Recommended by Miles Roberts, Deputy Head, Department of Conservation Biology
The Serengeti Lion, A Study in Predator-Prey Relations by George B. Schaller
Recommended by Miles Roberts Deputy Head, Department of Conservation Biology, and John Seidensticker, Senior Scientist
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
"This book focuses on the poisons from insecticides, weed killers, and other common products as well as the use of sprays in agriculture, a practice that led to dangerous chemicals to the food source. Having grown up in the Hudson Valley, where bald eagles, osprey, and peregrine falcons all became extict due to the use of DDT, this book was a rather relevant one for me. Luckily with the ban of such chemicals, all three species have returned." —John Gibbons, Public Affair Specialist
"Quiet government worker starts a revolution. An inspiration to us all. You know her house is in Silver Spring, and she did much of her work in the nearby woods." —David Kessler, Biologist, Small Mammals
Small Wonder by Barbara Kingsolver
"Small Wonder is a collection of essays basically about her various and sundry connections to the planet, which looks at different issues from an interesting perspective. I love her because she makes very strong points without ever being the slightest bit preachy." —Emily Rodeheffer, Program Coordinator, Development, Membership, and Marketing, FONZ
Sociobiology, The New Synthesis by E.O. Wilson
Recommended by John Seidensticker, Senior Scientist, and Miles Roberts, Deputy Head, Department of Conservation Biology
The Song of the Dodo: Island Biogeography in an Age of Extinctions
by David Quammen
"Very good, funny." —Amy Miller, Education Manager, Department of Education and Volunteer Services, FONZ
Splendid Isolation: The Curious History of South American Mammals by George Gaylord Simpson
Recommended by Miles Roberts, Deputy Head, Department of Conservation Biology
The Spotted Hyena: A Study of Predation and Social Behavior by Hans Kruuk
Recommended by Miles Roberts, Deputy Head, Department of Conservation Biology
This is Biology: The Science of the Living World by Ernst Mayr
Recommended by John Seidensticker, Senior Scientist
Traces on the Rhodian Shore: Nature and Culture in Western Thought from Ancient Times to the End of the Eighteenth Century by C.J. Glacker
"Traces the history of biological and environment in Western thought" —John Seidensticker, Senior Scientist
Tree Tops by Jim Corbett
"Col. Jim Corbett, made famous for his books on man-eating leopards and tigers, tells a tale of this experiences in India with the wildlife, local peoples, their culture, and a special visit from a member of the Royal Family—to a place called 'Tree Tops'."
—Ryan Valdez, Director, Amazon GIS Project
The Value of Life: Biological Diversity and Human Society by Stephen R. Kellert
"The most important book bringing the human dimension into conservation" —John Seidensticker, Senior Scientist
What Evolution Is by Ernst Mayr
Recommended by John Seidensticker, Senior Scientist
Where Have All the Birds Gone? by John Terborgh
"brings the issues of the forces of change into ecology and conservation" —John Seidensticker, Senior Scientist
Wilderness and the American Mind by Rodrick F. Nash
"Key book for the environmental movement" —John Seidensticker, Senior Scientist
Wildlife in America by Peter Matthiessen
"Written in 1959, this classic describes man's impact on North American animals since European explorers first reached the shores. Decades of environmental laws have helped many species since the book's publication, but Matthiessen's engaging prose still can inspire today's readers to become involved in conservation." —Gaby Gollub, Web Editor, FONZ
The Wolf:
The Ecology and Behavior of an Endangered Species by David Mech
"The Wolf is the first comprehensive study of wolves, taking place on Isle Royal, a national park in Lake Superior. Now in its 44th year, this island was once bridged by ice to the mainland, and managed to sustain a traveling pack of wolves who crossed the lake. All members of the wolf population on this island descended from a single female who arrived in the late 1940s." —Ryan Valdez, Director, Amazon GIS Project
Wonderful Life:
The Burgess Shale and the Nature of History by Stephen J. Gould
"A re-examination of the Burgess Shale fossils and the role of extinction in evolution." —Stephen Schulze, Animal Keeper, Small Mammals
Recommended Authors
"Wallace Stegner's novels have a great sense of nature and place." —David Kessler, Biologist, Small Mammals
"I'd recommend anything by John McPhee. Even Annals of the Former World, his book on geology and tectonics, holds implications for wildlife study." —Stephen Schulze, Keeper, Small Mammals
"As a kid, reading Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book stories and How The Elephant Got Its Trunk had a whopping effect on me. Not great naturalism, but it did lead me toward an attentiveness to the aliveness of things." —Stephen Schulze, Keeper, Small Mammals
