This book will be a valued resource to those studying mammals, those working Madagascar, or even folks visiting Madagascar to enjoy the fauna. Prior to this volume, there was **no** comprehensive guide to mammals (in particular a paucity of information available on rodents). Garbutt has done a fantastic job of providing us with practical information and clear, useful photos/drawings. If we could all be so lucky to see the creatures featured in this book. Owning the book will have to suffice for many of us, epecially given the high risk of extinction for many of Madagascar's native mammals. Well worth the investment.

This book is a super-mega reference book about all the mammals of Madagascar (the ones that people have discovered, that is). It has creatures in there I have NEVER heard of. The photos are pretty good and the written information is educational. Great for beginners learning about mammals of Madagascar.

This is a very comprehensive book covering not only the lemurs but also the bats and so forth. There are maps to identify what part of Madagascar to find the animal.

The illustrations in this book are a delight, and add to the story that this author has put together about her work in the rainforests of Madagascar. She depicts both the positive and the challenging (sometimes not so rosy) aspects of living and working in a remote rainforest location. It would be a treat for any young reader you know. Nature loving adults (lemur fans in particular!) will also get a kick out of this one. The stories are heartwarming, and accurate(I have worked at the site that inspired this book).

Learn why Madagascar is famous for wildlife, see the lemurs through the eyes of a gifted naturalist. This is a fantastic combination of gorgeous art, realistic science, and hopeful conservation, by the author of many notable children's books on wildlife in Africa and Australia. Buy it for your children, your grandchildren and for yourself, it is a wonderful book.

This is a wonderful account of what it is like to be a primatologist, searching for the world's most beautiful and rare primates on the most exotic island of Madagascar. The text is engaging and the illustrations, also done by the author, are spectacular. This is a great book for grown ups who want to learn more about lemurs and Madagascar, or for children who want to do a book report. The book provides a hopeful message of conservation.

Don't even think about traveling to Madagascar without the Bradt guide! It never left my side during my month-long adventure through the country. Excellent information on the natural and cultural diversity of the island, plus accurate logistical information on where to eat, sleep, etc. Great sidebars from recent and experienced travelers. Don't forget to bring along the Bradt guide to Maddy wildlife too! Bradt is the only source I trust for travel in Madagascar.

This is an excellent guide for anyone interested in Madagascar. It is full of facts and stories that give you a real feel for the country. I especially enjoy the detailed sections on Conservation, Wildlife and her encouragement of responsible tourism. If you are planning a trip here I recommend this travel guide over any others available.

Hilary Bradt has once again captured the feeling of Madagascar as well as imparting useful information. Not only are there color pictures of lemurs but some less well known mammals. Along with detailed information she includes amusing stories. A must for anyone going to Madagascar or just interested in this wonderful country

Ricky Kidd is a responsible sort. He keeps busy by doing odd jobs for old Mrs. McEwan and hanging out with his friends Mike and Ralphy. His younger brother, Joel, follows him everywhere, but has a knack for being unseen.

One day, Mrs. McEwan has a special job for Ricky. She wants him to meet her long lost nephew at the train station, but before he leaves, she shows him her valuable antique jewelry collection. In the center of the collection is the jewel of Madagascar - a huge, beautiful, red stone; unlike any Ricky has ever seen.

Mrs. McEwan encourages Ricky to take a closer look. He immediately grabs the stone with both hands instead of using the tongs on the table.

At the look on Mrs. McEwan's face, he places the stone back on the cloth. Mrs. McEwan proceeds to tell him about the curse placed on the stone many years ago.

Whoever touches the stone, their friends will become enemies and their enemies will become friends. Ricky doesn't believe in curses, but he feels funny after touching the stone.

A few minutes later, Joel comes in carrying a baby crow. Not only does Joel have a knack for being unseen, he also has an uncanny ability with animals. Mrs. McEwan's five cats are at Joel's feet, eyeing the bird hungrily.

When Joel hands the bird to Ricky, the cats pounce. Ricky's hands are scratched and he is knocked off balance. The baby crow frantically tries to get airborne. In the struggle, Ricky bumps into the china cabinet, causing a bronze statue to hit the table and smash many of the antique jewels into small bits.

Ricky is devastated at the loss he has caused. Though Mrs. McEwan tells him not to worry, he feels he must pay for the damage, but he has no idea how. On the way to the train station to pick up the long lost nephew, Edward, he sees his pals, Mike and Ralphy. He tells them of his dilemma, and though they'd like to help, they don't have that much money either.

Once Ricky sees Edward, the supposedly long lost nephew, he knows something isn't right. He suspects this person is posing as Mrs. McEwan's nephew and is up to something.

Ricky makes it his mission to find out what Edward is up to. He's convinced that Edward is trying to steal from Mrs. McEwan so he sets out to prove it.

In the meantime, Ricky's friends are acting strangely. Mike and Ralphy seem to be doing things without him and keeping secrets from him. Ricky thinks back to the curse placed on whoever touches the jewel of Madagascar.

Is the curse coming true? Who is Edward and is he trying to steal from Mrs. McEwan? What do worms have to do with any of it?

"The Disappearing Jewel of Madagascar" blends childhood mischief with suspense. This book is a treat for both girls and boys. They learn the value of trust and friendship. The godly lessons subtly woven into the story teach kids about prayer and worry.

Ricky Kidd doesn't believe in curses. But soon after he touches the Jewel of Madagascar, the prize in neighbor Mrs. McEwan's jewelry collection, his friends seem to abandon him. Worse, he's crushed part of the collection, and now must figure out a way to repay the debt. Trying to work off his debt brings him in contact with Mrs. McEwan's nephew. Ricky's sure he's not all he claims to be, but no one seems to believe him or even care. Is Ricky right? If so, can Ricky prove it before it's too late? And what are his friends up to?

This is a reedit and reprint of a book from the original series. Rachel, Ricky's new baby sister, has been added. Several scenes that were humorous character scenes have also been cut. I didn't miss them until I looked back at my first copy, but it's still a shame they've been cut out. One of these cut scenes is referenced later in the book, so hopefully they'll do better editing jobs in the future.

The story itself is still intact and great fun. Rereading it, I was once again drawn into the mystery, even though I remembered the ending. The characters are great fun, and there were still lots of humorous parts.

Anyone looking for a great mystery with well-developed characters and great humor should definitely check this series out. It's a series that everyone will enjoy reading.

This is an excellent book that looks beyond the surface of game preserves and examines the impact of species protective programs on human populations. The author uncovers tragic consiquences of short sighted policies, and governmental agencies and NGOs who refused to deal with the consiquences of their policies. A must read for any anthropology or public policy grad student.

Dr. Janice Harper's book is scorching in its honesty, painful in its portraits, relishable in its irreverence.

How thankful I am as a reader that Harper's editors did not slash and burn her political writing which in my view is the crux of the book. The betrayal of the village, Ranotsara, in southeastern Madagascar, where Harper lived for fifteen months, by the Ranomafana National Park Project, the United States Agency for International Development, and other organizations of "good will" is astonishing. Her writing of the events is brilliant in large part because she stops just before nailing to the wall the puppets in those organizations. She leaves them twisting in the wind, unwilling, unable, or both, to make a case for themselves, no matter how obvious their desperation and denial.

The deaths in Ranotsara Dr. Harper witnessed, grieved, and tried hard to sing about bring to the fore the absolute decay of honor in these days of diminishing returns for the written word and honorable deeds hijacked by hapless do-gooders, doing more harm than good. The moment in the book when Harper's father dies is one of the most honest accounts of the multiple shocks she was electrified by in Ranotsara, as the "Tanala" (people of the forest) grieved their ever increasing dead.

Make no mistake, this book is not about Dr. Harper. It is about a village and a people she grew to love. It is about her culture shock in doing the work she obviously loves and the Tanala who are simply trying to preserve their culture and stay alive. There should be an English word stronger, brighter, and more endearing than 'endangered'. The people of the forest deserve it.

(**Please note** My name is David Harrington Campbell, the author of the recently published novel, DANCING ON THE CELLAR DOOR, currently available on Amazon.)

I love Madagascar, especially the succulent plants found there. I was impressed with how many of the plants I have grown were native to that island. Many of my favorite plants are from here and I am always looking for more information on them. The photographs are wonderful. Both volume one and volume two of this book are well worth having. They contain valuable information that I have found nowhere else.

This book is the most authoritive book ever written on Madagascan succulents. It has excellent descriptions of the geography and geology of Madagascar and includes hundreds of color pictures. This book has the right balance of technical information and straight forward descriptions. Definately for an enthusiast with the goal of developing a complete reference library! A masterpiece!

The aye-aye and I is a quick and easy read and the relatively famous author has one of the best writing styles I've ever seen. It tells of the trials and tribulations of the late Gerald Durrell through his trip through Madagascar , though it is humorous it also has many insights to the people and wildlife of this interesting island.

Like all of Gerald's Durrell's books, The Aye-Aye and I will make you laugh cover to cover at the encounters between Durrell's party and the animal and human inhabitants of Madagascar. Since this book was written when Durrell was bringing back animals for the breeding programs he hoped would save them from extinction (in earlier books, he was bringing animals back for zoos), the book also has interesting comments of the state of the environment and economy in Madagascar and its effect on the animal (and human) populations. The aye-aye sounds like an extraordinary animal. I hope he managed to save it.

Readable if somewhat outdated, this book contains comprehensive chapters on prosimian ecology, and a classic chapter on niche partitioning among five sympatric species of lorisoids in Gabon. A must-have background read for any student of modern primatology.

I have come away from this book with a strong desire to visit Madagascar and a good understanding of the country's wonders and challenges. In a very entertaining style recounting his travels and sharing tales of the island's lore, Peter Tyson gives us an overview of both the Malagasy people and fauna ( and somtimes flora ) and how they relate in light of its conservation issues. He also outlines the limited knowledge that exists as to how this unique island has come to be so different from anywhere else on Earth, opening the scope for unlimited wonder and whetting a thirst to find out more. A great starting point for an interest in Madagascar and a thoroughly enjoyable read.
I would recommend reading Mike Eveleigh's, Maverick in Madagascar, after this.

This book makes you feel like your on the trip through Madagascar with the author. Very detailed and explanatory.
Very fun to read!

Madagascar in my mind has always been one those wild exotic places. This book does a very good job of introducing the place and providing insights into wildlife, culture, orgins, and a possible plan for the future of conservation in Madagascar. It reads well and doesn't bog down very often. The chapters about the herps of Madagascar were my favorite, but I am biased towards herps. The conservation issues are presented in a balanced way, and the opposing opinions about the success or failure of the Community development/national park conservation plans are pretty well explained. I recommend this book to anybody wanting to learn more about Madagascar, it is a great introduction would be a worthwhile read if you wanted to travel to Madagascar and be more than just a bumbling tourist.