Lonesome George

"Like the best human-focused biographers, Nicholls uses his unusual subject as a springboard into more universal territory. He aptly portrays Lonesome George as a sort of reptilian Forrest Gump, an unwitting bystander continually thrust to the forefront as society's defining crises play themselves out around him."--"Wired""" "This marvellous look at the conservation of nature, as embodied in one enormous reptile, is highly recommended."--Nancy Bent, "Booklist""" "Is he gay, impotent or just bored? Read this fascinating book for the full story. It skilfully blends historical derring-do with cutting-edge conservation biology."--"NewScientist""Told with real affection and humour...a fitting tribute to one of the voiceless victims of human progress."--"Guardian """ "A warmly enjoyable book...a pleasure to read."--www.popularscience.co.uk "Nicholls' lively tale takes the reader on a journey through the Galapagos - and how much there is to lose."--BBC Focus Magazine "This is a wonderful tale of an almost mythical beast. Rich in historical detail George's story is one of pathos, despair and hope with some quirky reproductive biology thrown in for good measure. Nicholls has done us all a service, reminding us of the fragility of life in general and of one very special chelonian in particular." -- Tim Birkhead, author of "Promiscuity "and "The Red Canary"""
"""Not simply the story of a tortoise but the tale of that icon of evolution, the Galapagos archipelago, and of the heroics and (sometimes) seeming futility of the conservation movement. The science is compelling, the tone is light - highly recommended."--Olivia Judson, "Seed Magazine"""
"It is a cracking tale - and crackingly well told. It is also salutary. Giant tortoises are indeed extraordinary - but not as strange as human beings."--Colin Tudge, author of "The Secret Life of Trees"""
"If Darwin were alive today he would be fascinated by Henry Nicholls' splendid account of this solitary survivor from Pinta