Review by Joy Phill -- A Vanishing Kind

[Joy Phill]

[Following is a volunteer review of "A Vanishing Kind" by John Wamsley and Stephen L Davey.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Conservation is a controversial subject, with few in active support while many are indifferent. Nevertheless, the precious efforts of the few people who are in favor of this just cause will never be forgotten by nature. A Vanishing Kind by John Wamsley and Stephen L. Davey contains first-hand information about the successes and failures of conservation efforts in Australia.

John Wamsley grew up on a chicken farm. He could hardly be described as a sterling and obedient student. By the age of 16, he had begun smoking and was even encouraged in this habit by his grandmother. Surprisingly, John grew up to be a man of discipline and resilience. He could build, repair, write, do advanced mathematics, carve in wood, run a multi-million dollar business, and even re-established biodiversity in degraded landscapes. He overcame huge setbacks without giving up and successfully quit smoking. Have you heard about prey switching and feral balance? Do you know how many years it takes a mallee trunk to develop a big hollow? How does a mallee trunk contribute to the protection of endangered species? A Vanishing Kind provides the answer.

This book functions as a biography and as an educational book on conservation. It gives a detailed account of how John overcame all odds to establish the Earth Sanctuary Limited Company in Australia. The prologue contains a chart of the animals being protected by ESL. I learned much about trees and their effects on the environment. I also read about feral plants and animals, and how to keep animals within the boundary of a fence. There are numerous interesting bush secrets that can be learned from this book.

The good qualities of the principal character added value to this book. I particularly admire John's wife, Proo. I learned so much from her resilience. The narrative has a professional touch. It is simple and easy to understand without difficult technical terms. The book gives detailed and precise information, with specific dates and names.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It was exceptionally well edited. This is a book I would read over and over again. It is free of profanities and is appropriate for readers of all sensitivities. A Vanishing Kind is proof of John's extensive knowledge of wildlife conservation. It was a delight to read and learn so much about nature. Readers who have an interest in conservation will find it appealing.

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A Vanishing Kind
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[Sou Hi]

Thanks for your review. I sampled this book once since it's BOTD. The author's passion for protecting the environment is quite admirable.

[Raluca_Mihaila]

I love informative books about environmental protection! You wrote a compelling review, and you gave a full rating, so I'll put it on my list.

[Marcel Cantu]

This sounds like an important book for our time! I enjoyed reading your review, great work.