I just finished this book in preparation for a trip to the Galapagos Islands and I thought it was, overall, great. Ms. Bassett clearly has a love for the islands and works hard at understanding the polemics at play as the islands try to move forward ~ the commercial industries (both illegal and legal), the human interests (both Galapaguenos and the mainland Ecuador folks) and of course, the destruction of the unique ecosystem(s) that is the Galapagos Islands. I felt incredibly more educated going into my trip and will try my best to be the eco-tourist I can be. I learned an enormous amount. I also applaud the author's effort because there is scant writing out there on the islands and what is and has been happening there. We all hear it is the last paradise and unique species abound (and Darwinism like some kind of God - so it was interesting to learn how little time and effort he spent there - and how much of it was cruel to the animals "in the name of science", i.e., let's throw iguanas and try to sink them, also sink tortoises and eat them all), but how little I knew about modern-day life and all of the destruction there boggles my mind. My only complaints are it is absurdly repetitive, although I know this is a method to make things "sink in" and that they did. I also wish there were more resources on how to help out at the end. I realize human habitation and even tourism is trying to be kept to a minimum, but there may be ways to help from across the seas, or to volunteer for NGOs/NFPs that desire help. Anyway, great book, learned a lot and highly recommend it to anyone who cares about the very fragile world of The Galapagos Islands. ( )