Mammal Tracks and Sign of the Northeast Book

Interesting, inspiring and frustrating are but a few words I could use to describe this book. It took me a chapter or two to get used to Safina's punctuation happy writing style but once accustomed I was hooked (no pun intended). As much as this book helped me form a better picture of leatherback populations I perhaps spent equal measure in wonder and outrage when reading it. I was in awe of the animals themselves, their habitats, the journey and the volunteers and scientists working tirelessly to protect these turtles, in some situations risking their lives by doing so. I raged at the ridiculousness of how long it took to instate fully functional turtle excluding devices in the U.S.A., building on nesting beaches, poaching and turtle surveyors trying to kill every last swordfish they see. There's irony for you!
My main irk with this book is it spends too much time in the Americas, as utterly fascinating as they are. Throughout the book the dire situations in Maylasia and the Indian Ocean were referred to which would have been good to experience through Safina's eyes.
Of particular note are the grim realities of impoverished communities, overpopulation, property development and the desire for a westernised lifestyle that are sympathetically but realistically broached in this book. A job well done.