The renowned naturalist and chimpanzee researcher reflects on her philosophy of life.No longer observing wildlife in the fast-vanishing African forests, Goodall, now 87, continues to work, traveling the world to speak about conservation, humane treatment of animals, reforestation, and the detriments of climate change and poverty. Written as a dialogue with Abrams, who has co-authored similar eloquent testaments with the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, this book mixes autobiographical details with a fiercely positive credo that has kept Goodall fighting in the face of immense odds. Goodall maintains that hope is often misunderstood. "People tend to think that it is simply passive wishful thinking: I hope something will happen but I'm not going to do anything about it," she notes. "This is indeed the opposite of real hope, which requires action and engagement. Many people understand the dire state of the planet-but do nothing about it because they feel helpless and hopeless." She adds that achieving a lasting sense of hope requires four components: attainable goals, realistic pathways to pursue them, confidence that we will succeed, and confidence that others support us. Goodall emphasizes that hope is a survival trait that every child possesses, but it must be cultivated. She illustrates this point with anecdotes from her life as a naturalist and teacher as well as many mystical, science-can't-explain experiences that often turn up in inspirational writing. Ultimately, this is less a self-help book than the personal testament of a traditional idealist with the belief that we are put on Earth for a purpose and that the universe must have a deep, guiding intelligence behind it-if not the traditional God, then something similar. As Goodall notes late in the book, she welcomes a "convergence of science and religion and spirituality."An estimable researcher and activist tells stories and delivers uplifting advice.

This illuminating conversation between naturalist Goodall (Reason for Hope) and Abrams (coauthor, The Book of Joy) teases out Goodall-s thoughts on why one should feel hopeful in -dark times.- According to Goodall, there are -four main reasons for hope: the amazing human intellect, the resilience of nature, the power of youth, and the indomitable human spirit.- In unpacking her belief in the power of persistence, Goodall takes readers to her childhood home in England, where her family questioned if she had the constitution to travel to Africa; to Tanzania, where she studied chimpanzees and came face to face with -crippling poverty, lack of good education and degradation of the land-; and into her work as a U.N. Messenger of Peace. In the process, she cites having a spiritual sense of purpose as crucial to her hope and activism. Her infectious optimism and stirring call to action make this necessary reading for those concerned about the planet-s future: -we must not let this distract us from the far greater threat to our future-the climate crisis and the loss of biodiversity,- she writes. -Find your reasons for hope and let them guide you onward.- Goodall-s rousing testament will resonate widely. (Oct.)