Tim Flannery (1) (1956–)

A thoroughly fascinating work by a great Australian writer and scientist. Flannery examines the relationship of new arrivals to their land, with Australia as the useful test case. As a land that was populated in the last 100,000 years, but at a much earlier date than, for instance, the Americas, it presents an ideal site for a study of a) why its flora and fauna evolved the way they did, b) what impact the first Australians had on the landscape over their tens of thousands of years of ownership; c) what impact this "co-evolution" had on them, and d) what massive changes were wrought by colonists and conquerors, aka my ancestors, to this existing ecosystem. In contrast, Flannery uses our near neighbour New Zealand, which remained devoid of people until around 1,000 years ago, and so serves as the perfect antithesis.

Flannery deals in specific cases, but each chapter is manageable from a layperson's point of view. His tone is one of awe at nature, red in tooth and claw. His pedigree is exemplary, as Flannery is able to use examples of where he himself discovered fossils or evidence, so that's always a plus.

The downside of the book, inevitably, is that it's 25 years old. This doesn't invalidate the text, but it has an impact on the usefulness of the first two-thirds of the book. The first section, dealing in pre-human evolution in Australia and surrounds, is chock-full of discoveries just being made, or questioned, in the early 1990s. So much work has been done in this space, that Flannery's work serves more as a guide to other studies rather than a current scientific document. The second section focuses on Aboriginal Australians, and here Flannery was ahead of the curve. Analysis of the relationship of our first peoples to their land has spread and deepened considerably since then. But none of this is his fault. A solid read.… (meer)

Why do kangaroos hop? It sounds like the start to a marsupial joke. Tim Flannery wants to tell you the punch line. Chasing Kangaroos is a fun exploration into the evolution of kangaroos all the way up to the extinction of Australia's megaflora. Flannery will explain the journey of kangaroos across the planet as Europeans brought them to places like London and Hawaii. Royalty wanted them as exotic pets to roam their palace grounds. Flannery's style of explanation makes every kangaroo-related subject matter interesting and entertaining. I found myself pondering facts like the footbones of animals, kangaroo chromosomes, why some kangaroos do not hop, why some kangaroos live in trees, and how they are related to the possum. I know more about the male anatomy of a kangaroo than I ever wanted to know. For male readers, heads up. Flannery will urge you to trace your own male anatomy for evidence of ancestral evolution of the scrotum before the penis. You're welcome.
At the end of Chasing Kangaroos Flannery ends on a hopeful note, speculating that some species previously thought extinct might actually still be around.… (meer)

I only had one problem with this collection of Australian exploration fragments...each snippet of diary or memoir left me wanting more.

This is a well-chosen collection of accounts from diverse viewpoints. I especially liked the rare Aboriginal account, seeing how different in tone they were from the typical European story-telling template.

I always knew the Australian outback was an unforgiving environment, but these accounts brought this home in a more personal way. Likewise, I knew that Aborigines had been treated badly, but was viscerally shocked at one of the few accounts from a woman and her casual description of the abduction of an Aboriginal woman - presumably for a servant. You can't just steal people!

The final account was well chosen - the end of an era for several reasons. The book has left me with much to think on and much to explore.… (meer)