THE LIVES OF DILLON RIPLEY by Roger D. Stone tells the story of a natural scientist, wartime spy, and Smithsonian leader.

Although the biography provides an overview of his Ripley’s life, it lacks the multi-dimensional qualities of many of the newer works of nonfiction narrative. In other words, it presents a glowing examination of a man who seems focused on this work by detailing activities and work events. While many aspects of the story are fascinating, more specific anecdotes and engaging examples would have made the biography more interesting. The book provides the facts, but lacks the personal connections to people and the broader context that could bring his world to life for readers. The book would have benefitted from a more complete bibliography and more detailed notes.

ARC courtesy of LibraryThing and the publisher. ( )

This book about the longtime "boss" of the Smithsonian in DC started out really strong. I enjoyed reading about the very interesting life of Mr. Ripley (who I had never heard of before). However, once the book went past the actual "civilian" life and only concentrated on the working life of Mr. Ripley at the Smithsonian it became mighty boring. I would have preferred to learn more about the bird-watching Mr. Ripley ( )

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

This book was a quick read about an interesting, well-lived life. Though the book gave a quick overview of Dillon Ripley's childhood (especially about childhood travel and adventures), it focused primarily on Ripley's professional life, which was interesting and accomplished. The author of this book was obviously an admirer, and critics' views were dealt with in a short chapter near the end of the book. Nevertheless, the information on WWII was fascinating, as was information about the administration (and creation of parts of) the Smithsonian.

This book felt to me like a series of articles about various aspects of Ripley's professional life, and I missed the connections between work and family life that would be part of most biographies. Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading it, as it showed the many ways one person could influence so many major institutions. ( )

Roger Stone's biography of Dillon Ripley was an enjoyable read. I learned not only about the man himself but also about the changes and improvements to the Smithsonian under his tenure. His desire to improve knowledge of cultural diversity and help us to see what we have and what we have lost is admirable. I recommend this book to all. ( )

The Talented Mr. Ripley

A review of "The Lives of Dillon Ripley"

A subjective biography of Dillon Ripley written by personal admirer Roger D. Stone, who served with Ripley at the World Wildlife Fund. Mr. Stone based this work on Ripley’s journals, personal archives and Smithsonian oral histories.

Published by the University Press of New England in a well-designed hardback edition, and at 233 pages, a quick, informative read.

Stone describes the development of a man born into a privileged New York family, his education and how, “he benefited from luck and guidance from well-placed mentors” that blossomed with his work at Yale’s Peabody Museum and leading the Smithsonian Institution during its greatest period of expansion.

At the outbreak of WW II, Ripley joined the newly formed OSS and ended up posted in the same location as Julia McWilliams, the future Julia Child. Julia’s roommate at that time would become Ripley’s wife.

Dillon Ripley had to be one of the few twentieth century figures who could say they had conversed with practicing cannibals about their culinary preferences and to work with a US president to secure the donation of a significant art collection for the Smithsonian Institution.

His ornithological opus was a ten volume set, ‘The Birds of India and Pakistan’ written in collaboration with the ecologist, Salim Ali.

Reviewer’s take-aways:

Ripley:

“attended a Montessori kindergarten on Madison Avenue, an experience he said was a very important formative element in his own education and made him forever interested in looking, feeling, examining and handling objects as distinct from merely reading about them.”

“Placed importance on making observations in nature rather than in the lab.”

“Displayed a keen interest in both photography and architecture.” This latter interest influenced his decisions on building form and the development of the Smithsonian’s campus along the National Mall.

This biography may appeal to readers interested in international travel, ornithology, aviculture and museum culture. It provides background details on the donation of significant art collections including the Hirshhorn, Freer, Sackler and the incorporation of the Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum into the Smithsonian orbit. ( )