In Search of the Golden Frog

Rating:
Summary: My search for the golden frog
Review: After having finished reading "In Search of the Golden Frog" by Martha Crump one will realize the opportunities that arise from extensive field work and hard work. This well written journal like story covering a period of 30 or so years of Martha's life describes her early experiences as a young undergrad student working in the tropics to a highly recognized researcher with a family. Martha's great interest and enjoyment in field work and discovery is so apparent in her tales, I couldn't put the book down until I found out what she was doing to this present day. One who has shared similar field experiences will find the detailed descriptions uniquely parallel to that of their own stories. Martha tells of a journey that has lead her to many interesting discoveries but only through time, patience and the desire to handle the difficulties of field work. Martha tells of the troubles and treasurable memories of travelling throughout both Central and South America in search of the creatures she finds most fascinating. Fortunately, in her journey she has also unfolded the nessesity to concentrate on the declining numbers of certain amphibian species. I recommend the book to any individual interested in field work and conservation. The book shares true experiences any field biologist will someday fall upon, preparing those willing to follow in Martha's footsteps.

Rating:
Summary: My search for the golden frog
Review: After having finished reading "In Search of the Golden Frog" by Martha Crump one will realize the opportunities that arise from extensive field work and hard work. This well written journal like story covering a period of 30 or so years of Martha's life describes her early experiences as a young undergrad student working in the tropics to a highly recognized researcher with a family. Martha's great interest and enjoyment in field work and discovery is so apparent in her tales, I couldn't put the book down until I found out what she was doing to this present day. One who has shared similar field experiences will find the detailed descriptions uniquely parallel to that of their own stories. Martha tells of a journey that has lead her to many interesting discoveries but only through time, patience and the desire to handle the difficulties of field work. Martha tells of the troubles and treasurable memories of travelling throughout both Central and South America in search of the creatures she finds most fascinating. Fortunately, in her journey she has also unfolded the nessesity to concentrate on the declining numbers of certain amphibian species. I recommend the book to any individual interested in field work and conservation. The book shares true experiences any field biologist will someday fall upon, preparing those willing to follow in Martha's footsteps.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Biological Tourism!
Review: This book was great if you are interested in exploring the tropics through the eye of an academic. It was interesting to see how the world of academia has changed since Crump was a graduate student.

I liked this book because Crump teaches interested tidbits about the life of amphibians and tropical ecology interwoven with her stories of fieldwork. It was great to learn how Crump deals with the challenges of motherhood and fieldwork at the same time.

I thought everything about this book was great, but could see how some might think this book is a little dry if you aren't into biology. Other than that, the only reason this book did not receive 5 stars is because the ending just sorta leaves the reader with a giant question mark.

Rating:
Summary: Mire through the Muck with Marty Crump
Review: This is my pick for favorite nature/travelogue of the year. As a cube dwelling computer jockey who enjoys getting out in the field whenever possible, I was able to savor the excitement of field herpetology in the verdant green and brown neotropics with Dr. Crump. After reading "In Search of the Golden Frog", I want to go a froggin', I want to lift a log, I want to wallow in a bog, and most of all, I want to help conserve the wonders of the amphibian world. Dr. Crump's autobiography supplies the reader with an entertaining account of adventures in the field while encouraging involvement in preserving both local and global eco-systems which sustain these veritable princes of herpetofauna. Read it, enjoy it, and help preserve it !!