You might wipe your eyes and wonder “Haven’t I seen this title before?”; and, yes, you might have because this is a follow-up on the original book “Last Chance to See” by the late-and-yet-immortalised Douglas (Noël) Adams (DNA) and Mark Carwardine.

I love the first book as it is testament to DNA’s manyfold interests and his engagement in several fields. Not to mention his trademark humour.
This time around, Mark Carwardine, British zoologist and conservationist, is joined on a series of trips by Stephen Fry who is a worthy successor for Adams albeit not quite as funny.

As in the original, the authors have done a marvellous job of blending witty humour with profound insights into the world of endangered species. Carwardine's expertise as a zoologist and conservationist, in conjunction with Fry's linguistic prowess, creates an enchanting and deeply engaging narrative throughout the book. The duo retraces the steps of the original journey undertaken by Adams and Carwardine about 20 years earlier (around 1990), lending the book an air of nostalgia that is both heart-warming and tantalising.

What struck me most about this book was how the authors managed to maintain the essence of Adams' classic while infusing it with their own unique perspectives. The book is replete with vivid descriptions of the many endangered species they encounter, as well as the oftentimes precarious situations the authors find themselves in. I found myself chuckling at many (but not all) their humorous anecdotes and, at the same time, feeling a sense of responsibility towards the fragile ecosystems they describe.

In addition and to its great benefit, the book is peppered with captivating photographs that brilliantly capture the essence of the species and habitats discussed - and sometimes of the authors themselves. Especially a series of portrait shots of “The many moods of Amazon adventurer and explorer Stephen Fry” was highly amusing.

A very memorable part for me was about the Yangtze River dolphin: The last known specimen of its kind died in 2002. In less than two decades, during the prime of responsibility of my own generation, while we, the world, were well aware of their looming extinction, we eradicated an entire species of highly intelligent animals. And many other species, including the first book’s Northern white rhino, are gone as well.

However, it is not all doom and gloom. Carwardine and Fry also share stories of hope and resilience, showcasing the tireless work of conservationists around the world. Through their storytelling, they inspire readers to take an active role in preservation efforts, urging us all to become stewards of the environment.

All in all, this book is a fitting tribute to the original work and a splendidly engaging read in its own right. Mark Carwardine and Stephen Fry have woven a tapestry of wit, wisdom, and wonder that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. It doesn’t quite reach its predecessor’s genius but is still a great read.

Four out of five stars.

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Ceterum censeo Putin esse delendam ( )

A rare book that one regrets finishing - you want the stories to go on and on. A zoologist teams up with an comic actor to roam the globe in search of rare and elusive species. This is a sequel to the original account published with Douglas Adams in 1998 (?). ( )

Some 20 years after Carwardine's trip with Douglas Adams, he is joined by Stephen Fry in a repeat trip to see some of the same and some new endangered animals. This isn't quite a companion book to the TV series as I had hoped, but rather a book-version of the TV series; most of the narrative in the TV series is in this book (and vice versa) and, since I've seen the TV series on more than one occasion (and recommend it highly), this turns out to be more a reminder of the show than any new information. It's still funny and interesting and, unfortunately, just as scary as Adams' original book; two (i.e. 25%) of the animals that Carwardine saw with Adams in 1985 are now de facto extinct, and many more will follow unless us humans get a real grip on ourselves. Fast. I wish the book had more photos, but that's a small complaint and there are plenty available from other sources. ( )

I loved the original book and the TV series, so I decided to buy this one when I found a hardcover copy of it for under $5. While it didn't add much that wasn't in the series, Carwardine's style is pleasant and it's filled with beautiful color photos, so I consider it time and money well spent. ( )

I read this just as I finished watching the TV series. So it is my own fault that my only complaint is that it doesn't add a great deal to the series.

Having said this it is a perfectly adequate stand alone book with plenty of fascinating material and unexpected twists e.g. being raped by a parrot or being moved to tears by Chimps.

In fact what do I mean, "perfectly adequate"? It was in fact enjoyable and stimulating. The stimulation was both positive and negative; giving you hope for the future, and in my case hope about the kind of world my kids will raise kids in, and also giving you a glimpse of how big a mess we have made of things so far.

I imagine the celebrity involvement, the beautiful pictures and the adventure travel theme are all good reasons that this will perhaps be a good book to give someone who doesn't appreciate what we have on this planet in the hopes that it might just make them think.

And that is probably as good a compliment as I pay any book. ( )