Douglas Adamss hilarious and deeply moving travelogue as he searches the globe for endangered species on the brink of extinction.
Part comedy, part passionate conservation plea, this is Adams at his most personal and memorablefunny, informative, and profoundly affecting.
Good secondhand condition.
Wear to spine and cover.
Mild water damage to top right pages.
Douglas Adams (1952 to 2001)
Douglas Adams was born in Cambridge, England, and grew up in a quiet, bookish household. The only son of a teacher and a nurse, he developed an early love for comedy, science fiction, and the absurd. After studying English at Cambridge (where he wrote and performed with the Footlights), he worked as a writer and producer for radio and television, including a stint scripting for Doctor Who, before creating the work that would define his career.
Adamss literary style is brilliantly witty, inventive, and wildly imaginative. He combined razor-sharp satire with warm-hearted absurdity, using science fiction as a vehicle for philosophical humour. His prose is conversational, full of clever wordplay, footnotes, and a sense of delighted wonder at the universes ridiculousness.
His recurring preoccupations include the absurdity of life, the futility of bureaucracy, humanitys small place in a vast and indifferent cosmos, the importance of kindness and curiosity, and a deep concern for the environment and endangered species.
Major Works
- The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (1979) his legendary comedy masterpiece that began as a radio series and became a global phenomenon.
- The Restaurant at the End of the Universe (1980) a riotous sequel packed with even more cosmic absurdity.
- Life, the Universe and Everything (1982) blending cricket, time travel, and the ultimate question of life.
- So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish (1984) a surprisingly tender addition to the series.
- Dirk Gentlys Holistic Detective Agency (1987) the start of a quirky new series mixing ghosts, time travel, and chaos theory.
- The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul (1988) a wildly inventive sequel featuring the eccentric detective.
Adamss influence on humorous science fiction and popular culture remains enormous, inspiring countless writers, comedians, and readers with his joyful scepticism and boundless imagination.
If you enjoy intelligent, laugh-out-loud fiction that makes you think while it makes you smile, Douglas Adams is pure delight. His books especially early editions of the Hitchhikers series are must-haves for any collector who loves wit and wonder.
Mark Carwardine (1959 to present)
Mark Carwardine was born in England and developed a passion for wildlife from an early age. A zoologist, conservationist, photographer, and broadcaster, he has travelled the world studying and documenting animals, particularly marine mammals. He is best known for his collaboration with Douglas Adams on the landmark project Last Chance to See, which highlighted endangered species and the urgent need for conservation.
Carwardines writing style is engaging, accessible, and filled with warmth, wit, and authority. He combines scientific knowledge with vivid storytelling and a deep respect for the natural world, making complex ecological issues approachable for general readers.
His recurring preoccupations centre on wildlife conservation, the beauty and fragility of endangered species, the threats facing biodiversity, and humanitys responsibility to protect the planets remaining wild places.
Major Works
- Last Chance to See (1989, with Douglas Adams) the witty and moving account of their global search for some of the worlds rarest animals.
- Eyewitness Handbook: Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises the bestselling cetacean field guide, with nearly a million copies sold.
- Handbook of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises (2019) his comprehensive and groundbreaking modern reference on the worlds cetaceans.
- Shark Watchers Handbook an award-winning guide to sharks and shark conservation.
- Mark Carwardines Guide to Whale Watching series practical and inspiring regional guides for marine mammal enthusiasts.
Carwardines work has played a significant role in raising public awareness about conservation issues and inspiring a new generation of wildlife enthusiasts and protectors.
If you love intelligent, passionate writing about the natural world and the urgent fight to save it, Mark Carwardine is a wonderful voice. His books, especially early editions of Last Chance to See, are excellent additions to any nature or travel literature collection.
