Henry Nicholls

Lonesome George

In 1971 a lone tortoise was found on the Galapagos island of Pinta. He is thought to be the last such Pinta tortoise, and in Lonesome George: The life and loves of a conservation icon Henry Nicholls tells his story. A significant theme of the book concerns attempts to get George to reproduce, with the selection of genetically similar females from other islands, but little response from George himself. Nicholls looks at what is being done and at what might be done in future to get round this problem, including more speculative options such as cloning.

Nicholls tells the reader some of the history of the Galapagos tortoises - how they might have arrived on the islands, and of their encounters with humans, including Charles Darwin on the Beagle voyage. Unfortunately contact with humans generally resulted in tortoises being killed - either for meat or as specimens for collectors. Nowadays the emphasis is on conservation, and throughout the book Nicholls give examples of conservation efforts applied to other species, some of which have been highly successful, others less so. Hence this book will provide useful information for those interested in species conservation as well as being an entertaining read.

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Hardcover 256 pages
ISBN: 1403945764
Salesrank: 793962
Weight:0.75 lbs

Published: 2006 Macmillan

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Hardcover 256 pages
ISBN: 1403945764
Salesrank: 395166
Weight:0.75 lbs

Published: 2006 Palgrave Macmillan

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Amazon.ca info

Hardcover 256 pages
ISBN: 1403945764
Salesrank: 254148
Weight:0.75 lbs

Published: 2006 Palgrave

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Product Description
Lonesome George is a 5ft long, 200lb tortoise aged between 60 and 200. In 1971 he was discovered on the remote Galapagos island of Pinta, from which tortoises had supposedly been exterminated by greedy whalers and seal hunters. He has been at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz island ever since, on the off-chance that scientific ingenuity will conjure up a way of reproducing him and resurrecting his species. Meanwhile a million tourists and dozens of baffled scientists have looked on as the celebrity reptile shows not a jot of interest in the female company provided. Today, Lonesome George has come to embody the mystery, complexity and fragility of the unique Galapagos archipelago. His story echoes the challenges of conservation worldwide; it is a story of Darwin, sexual dysfunction, adventure on the high seas, cloning, DNA fingerprinting and eco-tourism.

Product Description

Lonesome George is a 5ft long, 200lb tortoise aged between 60 and 200. In 1971 he was discovered on the remote Galapagos island of Pinta, from which tortoises had supposedly been exterminated by greedy whalers and seal hunters. He has been at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz island ever since, on the off-chance that scientific ingenuity will conjure up a way of reproducing him and resurrecting his species. Meanwhile a million tourists and dozens of baffled scientists have looked on as the celebrity reptile shows not a jot of interest in the female company provided. Today, Lonesome George has come to embody the mystery, complexity and fragility of the unique Galapagos archipelago. His story echoes the challenges of conservation worldwide; it is a story of Darwin, sexual dysfunction, adventure on the high seas, cloning, DNA fingerprinting and eco-tourism.

An excellent read *****
This is a truly wonderful book with a great blend of humor and scientific story-telling. Current issues and historical anecdotes interwine seemlessly as the saga of Lonesome George unfolds. A must for Galapagos travelers past and future.

An excellent read *****

This is a truly wonderful book with a great blend of humor and scientific story-telling. Current issues and historical anecdotes interwine seemlessly as the saga of Lonesome George unfolds. A must for Galapagos travelers past and future.

Iconic hardback *****
If anyone has been to the Galapagos (or is intending to) this is a must-have. In fact, anyone with an interest in Darwinism and environmentalism should also make sure they have a read. Henry Nicholls has done a great job of adding humour and fascinating anecdotes to some very serious topics, notably the human impact on this sensitive archipelago, and our role in protecting endangered species. But what really makes this such a special read is the insight it gives to the life of poor Lonesome George. If I had to criticise, it would be that the book fails to consider the pressure that a myriad of scentific observers and visitors is piling on to the poor fellow. Its no surprise he feels shy about reproducing when constantly being reminded that he is an 'icon' and 'last of his species' (although the pretty swiss volunteer clearly tried her best to make him relax).

Iconic hardback *****

If anyone has been to the Galapagos (or is intending to) this is a must-have. In fact, anyone with an interest in Darwinism and environmentalism should also make sure they have a read. Henry Nicholls has done a great job of adding humour and fascinating anecdotes to some very serious topics, notably the human impact on this sensitive archipelago, and our role in protecting endangered species.

But what really makes this such a special read is the insight it gives to the life of poor Lonesome George. If I had to criticise, it would be that the book fails to consider the pressure that a myriad of scentific observers and visitors is piling on to the poor fellow. Its no surprise he feels shy about reproducing when constantly being reminded that he is an 'icon' and 'last of his species' (although the pretty swiss volunteer clearly tried her best to make him relax).

The World's Loneliest Bachelor Gets His Time To Shine *****
Lonesome George is not just the last of his sub-species of Galapagos giant tortoise, he is also an icon for animal conservation. In Henry Nicholls' new book, the very first full book on Lonesome George since his chance discovery 1n 1972, we get a crystal clear picture on what it will take to preserve George's race: the Pinta race of giant Galapagos tortoise. And though, the chances for survival seem slim, Nicholls digs up every conceivable speck of hope and lays it out for us in his own quirky style. When I'd finished reading the book I was left with a feeling that I knew George intimately and that I understood the hurdles biologists, zoologists, conservationists and tortoise lovers are up against in trying to save the Pinta race. Not to be missed is the part about George's Swedish human 'girlfriend' and their steamy escapades. The book also features extensive examples of other animals in peril and how they've been saved or lost. A joy of a read packed with hard facts, moving passages and important lessons. Go George!

The World's Loneliest Bachelor Gets His Time To Shine *****

Lonesome George is not just the last of his sub-species of Galapagos giant tortoise, he is also an icon for animal conservation. In Henry Nicholls' new book, the very first full book on Lonesome George since his chance discovery 1n 1972, we get a crystal clear picture on what it will take to preserve George's race: the Pinta race of giant Galapagos tortoise. And though, the chances for survival seem slim, Nicholls digs up every conceivable speck of hope and lays it out for us in his own quirky style.

When I'd finished reading the book I was left with a feeling that I knew George intimately and that I understood the hurdles biologists, zoologists, conservationists and tortoise lovers are up against in trying to save the Pinta race.

Not to be missed is the part about George's Swedish human 'girlfriend' and their steamy escapades. The book also features extensive examples of other animals in peril and how they've been saved or lost. A joy of a read packed with hard facts, moving passages and important lessons. Go George!

A Perfect Travel Companion *****
I started reading this book whilst on a longish train journey. It took me a chapter or two to get used to the style, but after that, I was unable to put the text down, until I had finished it. The book is far more than a story of a tortiose. Almost every animal you can think of, recieves a cameo in this absorbing narrative, accompanied by byte sized snippets of scientific research, debate and conjecture. I particularly enjoyed the final chapter on "clones and chimera's" The illustrations added a lot for me, and all in all, I would regard it as a perfect travel companion.

A Perfect Travel Companion *****

I started reading this book whilst on a longish train journey. It took me a chapter or two to get used to the style, but after that, I was unable to put the text down, until I had finished it.

The book is far more than a story of a tortiose. Almost every animal you can think of, recieves a cameo in this absorbing narrative, accompanied by byte sized snippets of scientific research, debate and conjecture. I particularly enjoyed the final chapter on "clones and chimera's"

The illustrations added a lot for me, and all in all, I would regard it as a perfect travel companion.

lonesome george *****
This is a marvellous account of the life of Lonesome George {LG] the last tortoise of the species Geochelone nigra abingdoni found on the remote Pinta island in the Galapagos archipelago in 1971.Soon afterwards he was transfered to the Charles Darwin research station on Santa Cruz island where he still is.LG has become an icon and is visited by an estimated 100,000 tourists per year .The book also deals with the history of tortoises on the Galapagos going back toDarwinbut also describes the other 10 species of tortoises on the islands.Afirst classbook with only one fault-there is no decent picture of LG.

lonesome george *****

This is a marvellous account of the life of Lonesome George {LG] the last tortoise of the species Geochelone nigra abingdoni found on the remote Pinta island in the Galapagos archipelago in 1971.Soon afterwards he was transfered to the Charles Darwin research station on Santa Cruz island where he still is.LG has become an icon and is visited by an estimated 100,000 tourists per year .The book also deals with the history of tortoises on the Galapagos going back toDarwinbut also describes the other 10 species of tortoises on the islands.Afirst classbook with only one fault-there is no decent picture of LG.

Stick this on your Christmas list! *****
This is the perfect present for anyone interested in wildlife, ecology, the environment, evolution, history, genetics, herpetology, travel, economics, politics, anthropology, philosophy and sex. Oh, and tortoises. This is a great read. An important subject, beautifully written. Fascinating, funny and very sad. I add my multi-starred rating to a growing list of very well-deserved critical acclaim. (And I wasn't joking about the perfect gift for anyone interested in sex - check out the Swedish lady with only one thing on her mind)

Stick this on your Christmas list! *****

This is the perfect present for anyone interested in wildlife, ecology, the environment, evolution, history, genetics, herpetology, travel, economics, politics, anthropology, philosophy and sex. Oh, and tortoises.
This is a great read. An important subject, beautifully written. Fascinating, funny and very sad. I add my multi-starred rating to a growing list of very well-deserved critical acclaim.
(And I wasn't joking about the perfect gift for anyone interested in sex - check out the Swedish lady with only one thing on her mind)

tale of the greater floating tortoises ****
One of the ten titles on this year's Guardian First Book Award, this is the story of Lonesome George, the last surviving giant tortoise from the island of Pinta in the Galápagos archipelago. Discovered in 1972 by a bemused snail hunter, George was shipped to the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz and swiftly became the main attraction for the hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, and not simply because the Pinta tortoise was thought to be extinct. Rather, it appears that George, now a conservation icon, is more than a little reluctant to spearhead the resurrection of his species. Told with a disarming humour, and packed with scientific titbits, Lonesome George's tale has all the adventure of pioneering conservation, some amazing confessions of animal cruelty from Darwin, the difficulties and anxiety of taxonomy, and at its heart, a very lonely giant tortoise.

tale of the greater floating tortoises ****

One of the ten titles on this year's Guardian First Book Award, this is the story of Lonesome George, the last surviving giant tortoise from the island of Pinta in the Galápagos archipelago. Discovered in 1972 by a bemused snail hunter, George was shipped to the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz and swiftly became the main attraction for the hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, and not simply because the Pinta tortoise was thought to be extinct. Rather, it appears that George, now a conservation icon, is more than a little reluctant to spearhead the resurrection of his species.

Told with a disarming humour, and packed with scientific titbits, Lonesome George's tale has all the adventure of pioneering conservation, some amazing confessions of animal cruelty from Darwin, the difficulties and anxiety of taxonomy, and at its heart, a very lonely giant tortoise.

Longlisted for the Guardian First Book prize *****
I find it truly amazing that the life story of a tortoise ends up being the catalyst for such a fascinating story about nature. Nicholls has found an incredibly humorous, intriguing and thrilling way to teach us about the history of science and contemporary science, using a giant tortoise as his witty muse. This book will appeal to just about anyone. I've just read that this has been longlisted for the Guardian First Book prize, and I'm not surprised and think it deserves shortlisting too.

Longlisted for the Guardian First Book prize *****

I find it truly amazing that the life story of a tortoise ends up being the catalyst for such a fascinating story about nature. Nicholls has found an incredibly humorous, intriguing and thrilling way to teach us about the history of science and contemporary science, using a giant tortoise as his witty muse. This book will appeal to just about anyone. I've just read that this has been longlisted for the Guardian First Book prize, and I'm not surprised and think it deserves shortlisting too.