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A young woman follows her fiancé to war-torn Congo to study extremely endangered bonobo apes-who teach her a new truth about love.
In 2005 Vanessa Woods accepted a marriage proposal from a man she barely knew and agreed to join him on a research trip to the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo. Settling in at a bonobo sanctuary in Congo's capital, Vanessa and her fiancé entered the world of a rare ape with whom we share 98.7 percent of our DNA and who live in a peaceful society in which females are in charge, war is nonexistent, and sex is as common and friendly as a handshake.
A fascinating memoir of hope and adventure, Bonobo Handshake traces Vanessa's self-discovery as she finds herself falling deeply in love with her husband, the apes, and her new surroundings in this true story of revelation and transformation in a fragile corner of Africa.
Vanessa Woods is a research assistant, journalist, and author of children’s books. A member of the Hominoid Psychology Research Group, she works with Duke University as well as Lola Ya Bonobo in Congo. She is also a feature writer for the Discovery Channel, and her writing has appeared in publications such as BBC Wildlife and Travel Africa. Her first book, It’s Every Monkey for Themselves, was published in Australia in 2007. Woods lives in North Carolina with her husband, scientist Brian Hare.
amaral40
Posted July 29, 2010
I loved this book! I have read many memoirs, and this one is defintely one of the best. In clear, engaging prose, Vanessa Woods tells her story of how a whirwind romance with a scientist studying chimpanzees results in her arrival in the war torn Congo where she (and her husband) end up studying bonobos, another kind of ape. Like chimps, bonobos share over 98% of their DNA with humans, but unlike chimps, bonobos are peaceful apes who use sex to resolve conflicts, and with whom the author falls in love. Set against the background of the attrocities (both past and present) of the Congo, Bonobo Handshake is, as the title states, a story of love and adventure.
Here is a great interview with Vanessa Woods, author of Bonobo Handshake: http://commitmentnow.com/living-a-creative-life/women-who-write/features/writer-of-the-week/feature/vanessa-woods-author-of-bonobo-handshake-a-memoir-of-love-and-adventure-in-the-congo-is-our-featured-writer
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I just happened to see this book in the store window after Mrs Woods had performed a book signing. I'm so glad I went ahead and bought it. She tells such a good story and very candid. You can tell she wrote from her heart about a subject she was forced to endure,but learned to love with all she has. She writes this memoir as if she's a friend writing to you personally. The only complaint I have,is that before I knew it,I was done and had to move on to the next book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 4, 2013
I fell in love with Vanessa's journey as she dicovers a profound love for the Congo, its people and the bonobos at Lola. She starts out unsure of what she wants from life other than her new engagement to Brian and accompanies him in his research of our long-lost relatives. I laughed out loud and have a newfound appreciation of our ability to learn about ourselves vicarious these beautiful creatures. Heartwarming, inspiring and compassionate, Vanessa seemlessly teaches you the history of a people and country full of turmoil and love.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 20, 2012
Quick but enjoyable read about living with and doing research on bonobo and an honest account of human relationships too.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 9, 2011
I loved this book. I find Bonobos are so fasinating and the author's prose was beautiful to read. This book reads like a novel and you'll be amazed at the incredible intelligence and life style of the Bonobo. You also learn a lot about the conflicts in the Congo.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.9nan
Posted August 13, 2011
This is a marvelous book, educational, entertaining and fascinating. I couldn't put it down.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 24, 2011
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Overview
A young woman follows her fiancé to war-torn Congo to study extremely endangered bonobo apes-who teach her a new truth about love.
In 2005 Vanessa Woods accepted a marriage proposal from a man she barely knew and agreed to join him on a research trip to the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo. Settling in at a bonobo sanctuary in Congo's capital, Vanessa and her fiancé entered the world of a rare ape with whom we share 98.7 percent of our DNA and who live in a peaceful society...