Of Tigers and Men

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Summary: A must read for non-naturalists
Review: I was never fascinated with animal extinction. The reality of tigers being erased from the face of the earth never once crossed my mind until I read Richard's book. It paints a very bleak and pessimistic scenario about the decline of tiger population worldwide. His treatment is both scientific and philosophical. Man's dilemma is always to balance his own technological progress and the preservation of what God has made for him to enjoy. It will be a sorry affair if the tigers will eventually disappear in the wild. If you are not a naturalist, read it and you will soon empathize with thousands of them all over the world; a crusade that is a thankless job!

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Summary: Chronicle of an Extinction Foretold
Review: If the title had not been already taken, this book could have been called "Chronicle of a Death Foretold". As he takes us on his journey over Asia, Ives makes no bones about the ultimate fate of wild tigers: total extinction within 30 years. This would make for a grim book but for Ives' talent as a writer. Without pathos or over-sentimentality, he exposes facts, talks to park rangers and other naturologists to come to his conclusion. Very astutely, Ives understood that tigers "sell themselves" and you won't find impassionated speeches here: a good tiger story is worth a thousand of those. The book can be read on several levels: the author will entertain you with travel stories, get you interested in foreign cultures, astound you with his erudition, and scare the child in you who is still afraid of the wolf (I mean tiger!). Most of all, Ives will convince you with the force of his quiet logic. He made me (a dog person) care about those big cats. When he's done, you will get up from your arm-chair and think "We've got to save them!".

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Summary: Of Tigers and Men--a metaphor for our times
Review: Ives book, "Of Tigers and Men" is more than just a recounting of his travels, the people he meets and the whole question of nature, harmony and animal reservations/presevers. Ives gets to the very heart of what is happening in today's world where humanity, moral values clashes with immediacy. He elevates the importance of interaction with nature and ourselves in a way that forces each reader to come to terms with our own sense of what is right. I had the opportunity to meet Richard Ives in Paris. His sensitivity to issues, far beyond just the plight of the tigers, was extremely evident. This is a must read for all ages and NOW. Louise Menlo, Ph.D.

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Summary: Compelling plea for tiger preservation _and_ a great read.
Review: Mr. Ives, a lifelong traveller has combined a fascinating memoir, full of exotic places and even more exotic people, with a detailed examination of the forces driving the tiger into extinction worldwide. Reading this book, one can share Ives' passion for tiger-watching, and his concern for their future.

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Summary: Find this book wherever you can and read it.
Review: This book currently is out of print, which is troubling. First of all, its disapperance bodes ill for tiger, who certainly could have no more eloquent defender than Richard Ives. This is a book that, if read, could inspire people to work for the preservation of tiger. But while it is impossible to overestimate the book's value as a call to arms, it also is the story of a man who has chosen an improbable and difficult life and pursued it with admirable commitment. The book has been an inspiration for me since I found it in a shop in Paris on my way home from a two-and-a-half stint in the Peace Corps. If Richard Ives proves to be a Cassandra, his wise words on tiger and men ignored by everyone, then we are much the worse for it.

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Summary: The best book on the rapid extinction of animals.
Review: This book is the best book on extinction that I have read. Not only does Mr. Ives take you on a journey through the world of the tiger, he also makes you want to go to the places he describes and help as much as possible.

I only wish that I could do more for the animals of this earth after I read this book. It will make you cry when you read it as you learn of the tigers plight.

This book influences you to take a stand and declare " I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore!".

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Summary: Its tigers vs. men and the tigers are losing!
Review: THis book traces the author's obsession with seeing a tiger in the wild, up close and personal. In the process, he visits some of the last vestiges of tiger territory in countries such as India, Sumatra, and Indonesia. The animal is being hunted and hounded to extinction to the point that 4 of the original 8 species are gone and there are only about 1000 tigers left in the wild, if current estimates are to be believed. He documents the losing fight that several individuals are fighting to save the animal, and he encounters some bizarre characters along the way that add toi the entertaining nature of the book. The book is especially critical of the Japenese, who are the world formost destroyers of the worlds natural resources. Unless drastic steps are taken, the tiger will be extinct in the wild in 25 years or survive only as a pathetic remnant. The author carefully balances the the concerns of those who want the animal to survive with those who see it as a menace that kills and destroys as its habitat is rapidly being reduced. A quick, engrossing, if a bit overly romantic of a read. If you care about extiction, or just want to stare a wild tiger in the eye, without winding up as its next meal, then you will enjoy this book!

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Summary: A crashing bore
Review: This has to be the most boring book ever written on the subject. It was so banal that I gave up reading it after 20-30 pages. The rest was read to me in chunks by a friend on a long drive back from Corbett Tiger Reserve. It confirmed I had made a lousy choice in buying it (the hard cover edition, no less, I kick myself), and a good one in giving up reading it.

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Summary: Deeply moving and thought-provoking...Wonderful!
Review: This interesting book was such an inspiration. Richard Ive's made me think, and care about todays environmental fiascos using detailed descriptions and moving characters...This book has truley changed the way I look at our planet. Its one of those rare books that motivate you to get up and do something about a problem. Its meaning to me is beyond explanation... I highly reccomend it, I couldn't put it down!

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Summary: Brilliant book
Review: This is a superb book on a subject of vital importance - the disappearance of one of the world's great mammal species. Highly recommended to anyone concerned about the future of our planet, who enjoys a splendidly written, page-turning read. I could not put it down!