Monkeys Are Made of Chocolate: Exotic and Unseen Costa Rica

First off, I love non-fiction books about animals. Books like “Inner Life of Cats” by Thomas McNamee, “Dog Sense” by John Bradshaw, and my favorite, “Platypus” by Anne Moyal. So maybe my expectations were too high.The writing is juvenile, repetitive, and preachy. I don’t mind preachy normally. I loved the first story about monkeys, chocolate & pondering the cost of your cup of coffee. However, when chapter after chapter ends with an attempted cutesy moral, it becomes annoying.This book is a white, expat, ex farmer’s take on life in Costa Rica and it shows! Its reliance on social Darwinism’s “survival of the fittest” instead of Darwin’s theory of “natural selection” made me question even the little bit of science in it. If I heard one more time about “Eskimos on ice floes” or Australian aborigines’ mother-in-laws place in a canoe, I was going to throw the book across the room (These are story threads which pop up several times in different essays and are in very bad taste)! I could blame his misunderstanding of evolution (and the use of outdated term “Eskimo”) on his animal husbandry background but Temple Grandin has an agricultural background and her books are 100 times more insightful and less racist.Also I really don’t need to read two stories about a sloth being ripped apart by weasel like creatures just to see a slightly different perspective. Nor do I need an almost incomprehensible story about mosquitos told in their voice of dumbed down English.However, it’s a quick & easy read, and buried in the awful style & questionable (outdated, not researched, & non-footnoted) science are some interesting facts and theories about Costa Rica’s flora and fauna. Read it if you are going to Costa Rica and pressed for time. Just don’t read it all at once like I did. That way you won’t see that his stories and phrases are old and recycled. But I guess that fits with a pseudo science book about environmentalism.

Loved this book. Passed it on to another friend who is traveling with me to Costa Rica. Fascinating stories of the wildlife. Great info on the conservation efforts. Easy to read. Highly recommend. Book was in very good condition. Glad I purchased it.

I bought this book to read while on a tour of the rainforests in Costa Rica. Humorous and informative. Highly recommend if you're planning a trip to CR.

I purchased this book prior to traveling to Costa Rica with a group of friends. It was purchased along with a few guidebooks. My friends all purchased guidebooks as well. This is not a guidebook. It will not tell you how to ID anything or where anything is located, but it will tell more about the real Costa Rica than any guidebook can.This book was passed around on my tour more than any of the guidebooks. Nobody who read it could put it down, and they all wanted to talk about it each other (so the next person said, "Can I read that?").The author is a great storyteller and not at all preachy. The book is broken down into short, fun stories (the moral of most of them is conservation...but having a moral doesn't get in the way of the enjoyment of the story). Easily read by even the biology layperson.The book was read in 1-2 sittings by most of my friends. That's a sure sign of a good read.

Exceptionally well written and important book. The author is passionate about his subject and is a talented story teller. If you've had the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica, the stories in this book will resonate strongly as many of the animals and nature described in this book are typically Costa Rican and difficult to avoid when you are there. The stories are written with a friendly and funny narrative tone which draws in the reader. Also the short chapters in the book each devoted to an animal or natural phenomenon allow readers to gain a wide and varied exposure to many subjects. I've been to Costa Rica on two occasions, and reading this book motivates me to return and discover some of the natural wonders I've yet had a chance to see. This is a fascinating read!

This is a terrific compilation of essays from an author who lives in Costa Rica and makes his living by understanding the nature of this Central American country. The essays range from environmentalism to animals, evolution, and conservation.I purchased this book in advance of a family trip to Guanacaste in northwest Costa Rica. I consider this book a must-have for advance research, planning and understanding of the natural-side of this extremely eco-friendly and eco-aware country. "Monkeys" will provide insight into the country's natural history and you'll feel more prepared and aware of what the country has offer.The short essays(ranging from 3-6 pages each) are a quick read - perfect for the pool, beach or plane.

This is a terrific collection of essays about Costa Rica, its biodiversity, wildlife and natural history. little sprinklings of culture also give the reader a notion of how we live and interact with our natural world. Jacks cleanly, crisply written prose provides colorful and detailed description of the Hacienda Baru natural wildlife refuge on Costa Rica's central Pacific coast. The reserve occupies a critical position within the Path of the Tapir initiative aimed at improving wildlife habitat and the ability of the country's megafauna, such as tapirs and jaguars, to move along their historic biogical corridors. Particularly compelling is Jack's retelling of how the reserve converted from its past use as a cattle ranch. "Turns out," he writes, "if you stop clearing weeds, forest comes back." A very enjoyable read, with much to say about our future and living sustainably.

Extremely informative regarding wildlife, environment and ecology with relation to Costa Rica. If you are going to Costa Rica with wildlife in view then this book will make you really informed on a whole array of creatures and issues and what to look for and what to know before or as you go. It's really a series of essays put together in a book. They don't follow each other is sequence so can be read stand alone but it does mean some of the personal details become a little repetitive but don't let that put you off. The style is simple but clear and well stated.Also good general reading regarding the issues but incredibly worthwhile if you are planning a trip there.

An enjoyable read during a recent trip to Costa Rica. It scores more a 3.5 than a 4, but I felt generous. The biggest let down is the amount of unnecessary repetition between chapters. This is due to the book being a collection of previously published articles, rather than written as a cohesive whole. I didn't realise this until the end.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It’s very informative and witty, offering an introduction to the wildlife of Costa Rica and an insight into the extraordinary life of the Hacienda Barú founder. I have already moved on to reading ‘Where Tapirs and Jaguars Once Roamed’ by the same author.

This book was extremely readable, and gave me some really useful and interesting insights into the ecology and fauna living in Costa Rica. I have recommended it to several other people who are going to this wonderful place, as it really enhanced my understanding and enjoyment of the country.

A series of essays on the Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica and the ecology of the rainforest, many using a story telling technique to get the message across. This book is an entertaining and engaging read, no prior knowledge of ecology is necessary but even those whose knowledge of the rainforest is extensive will find things to educate and amuse. I was constantly reading passages aloud to my partner, interrupting his own reading! Essential reading if you plan to visit the reserve.