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Koala

A Life in Trees
3.93 goodreads logo

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( 316 ratings, 49 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Koala by Danielle Clode provides an in-depth exploration of this iconic Australian marsupial, weaving together insights from natural history and evolutionary biology. The book delves into the koala's unique adaptations, ecological challenges, and the conservation efforts essential for its survival. Clode's narrative ties scientific research with cultural significance, offering a rich and illuminating portrait of these beloved creatures.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by wildlife and ecosystems, as it delves into the biology, history, and conservation of one of Australia's most iconic creatures. It offers an engaging exploration of how these animals interact with their environment and the challenges they face, making it perfect for nature enthusiasts and those interested in animal conservation.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

An immersive, entertaining journey into the hidden life of the koala, revealing what life is really like up in the trees.

Clode is a master at popularising science and making the complex understandable ... An important book that focuses on the koala but is really an impassioned and informed plea for the conservation of Australia's flora, fauna, and wild places. This is natural history and science writing at its best. -Peter Menkhorst, Australian Book Review

Winner of Popular Ecology Award at the 2023 Whitley Awards

Despite their iconic status and celebrity, koalas remain something of a mystery. Often affectionate in captivity, they seek out human assistance when in need of water or care yet can also be fierce and belligerent. They are beloved worldwide and feature in popular children's stories, but are also plagued by sexually transmitted diseases and maligned for a lack of intelligence. Their diet consists solely of leaves that are full of toxins. In some states, they are threatened with extinction, while in others, they are dying from overpopulation.

Fuelled by her biologist's background and deep curiosity, Danielle Clode delves into the world of koalas to discover what's behind the sweet face on thousands of postcards. From their megafaunal ancestors to the disastrous effects of colonisation, from remarkable conservation success in the 1920s to the devastating bushfires of 2019-2020, Clode tells the story of koalas and their complex relationship with humans. Sharing the latest scientific insights and myth-busting facts, all woven through Clode's award-winning storytelling, Koala takes readers up into the trees to reveal the truth about this extraordinary animal and what must be done to ensure its survival.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book go towards supporting wildlife conservation efforts in Australia.

A vividly written and thoroughly researched celebration of the lives of koalas. Filled with fascinating and often surprising information, the book is also an invitation to honour and protect these extraordinary animals. -David George Haskell

... the humility of her approach encourages us to interrogate the koala information, or lore, even as we receive it, thus promoting the kind of active reading that must surely enhance the way we go on to experience the landscape around us. -Gregory Day, The Saturday Age

Danielle Clode is one of our great nature writers - she knows the science from the inside and can systematically lay out masses of information in easily digestible form. But she can also be poetic, evocative and moving. -Nick Mattiske, Insights Magazine

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Koala by Danielle Clode receives praise for blending scientific research with engaging storytelling. Reviewers appreciate how Clode explores the evolution, biology, and environmental challenges facing koalas, bringing to light both their fascinating characteristics and the threats to their survival. The book is noted for making complex ecological topics accessible and compelling, drawing readers into the world of one of Australia's iconic creatures.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781760642884

Publisher: Black Inc.

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 October 2022

Country: Australia

Imprint: Black Inc.

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 25.0mm

Width: 154.0mm

Height: 235.0mm

Weight: 434g

Pages: 336

About the Author

Danielle Clode is a biologist and natural history author. Her books include Killers in Eden, which was made into an award-winning ABC TV documentary; Voyage to the South Seas, winner of the Victorian Premier's Literary Award for Non-fiction; and The Wasp and the Orchid, which was shortlisted for National Biography Award. Her most recent book is In Search of the Woman who Sailed the World.

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