Monkeys Are Made of Chocolate: Exotic and Unseen Costa Rica

by Jack Ewing, Daniel Quinn (Introduction)

Overview

Discover the mysterious and fascinating ways in which animals and plants--and people--interact with one another in the rainforests of Costa Rica. Author and naturalist Jack Ewing shares a wealth of observations and experiences, gathered from more than three decades of living in southwestern Costa Rica, home to some of the most prolific and diverse ecosystems on Earth. More than just a simple collection of essays, Monkeys are Made of Chocolate is a testament to the wonder of life in all its countless guises, as seen through the eyes of a man with a gift for subtle discernment and a natural flair for storytelling.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940013492615
Publisher:	PixyJack Press, Inc.
Publication date:	11/18/2011
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	348,025
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Jack Ewing's love affair with the rainforest began in 1970 when, in search of new opportunities for plying his Bachelor of Science degree and his skills as a cattle rancher, he left his native Colorado and moved his wife, Diane, and their young family to the jungles of Costa Rica. His ever-growing fascination with the rainforest, however, soon prompted his transformation into environmentalist and naturalist. A natural-born storyteller, Jack's articles about life in the rainforest appear regularly in Costa Rican publications, and he often speaks to environmental, student and ecological traveler groups. He is currently president of two environmental organizations, ASANA and FUNDANTA. His expertise on biological corridor projects is much sought after. "What we must do to save the rainforest," says Jack, "is connect the parks, refuges and reserves with biological corridors and then teach the people how to make a living from these natural areas without damaging or destroying them. If we want conservation to work, we have to make it profitable." Jack and Diane live on internationally acclaimed Hacienda Barú National Wildlife Refuge where he currently serves as the director.

Editorial Reviews

Written in language accessible to everyone, the 32 stories in this book delve deep into the fascinating world of Costa Rica's tropical wildlife, skillfully intertwining ecological facts with current environmental and social issues which affect all of us. Even trained scientists will find something new in the personal, and often humorous, observations in these pages. This book is perfect reading for every inquisitive traveler to Costa Rica.

Rob Rachowiecki

Jack Ewing's thirty-year adventure in a Costa Rican jungle has produced a book full of infectious love and amazing lore.

Daniel Quinn

Jack's essays offer great insight into tropical natural history, rural Costa Rican culture and environmental issues. The natural history is so well done and the environmental insights so painlessly integrated that I use the book in my tropical ecology and conservation course.

Richard Andrus

Most books on Costa Rica focus on travel tips, but this one takes a different turn... Stories and essays provide literally decades of observation of the Costa Rican natural environment and its management. A ‘must’ for any who plan on seeing the country and who want to know more of its wildlife and habitats.

Book Reviewer

I teach English at the University of Texas at Brownsville, which is implementing linked courses in its fall offerings. My Composition courses are linked with Biology. After investigating a number of texts, I chose your book, Monkeys are Made of Chocolate, and Rachel Carson's Lost Woods. Thank you for writing about such important subjects in a voice that invites everyone to read. You are educating many people because of your ‘punch-packing’ humor. I love your book.

Pamela Herring