Chris Packham, British naturalist and TV personality, is the reason that I read this book and I am so glad that I saw a clip of him on TV discussing how all of us MUST read The Golden Mole. He spouted some examples of facts that he had encountered on his reading of it and my interest was immediately piqued.
Rundell’s book is an absolute gem in so many ways. Firstly, the way it is organised. Each chapter concerns itself with a creature which is in danger of extinction – and we are the cause. When I say “we”, I mean humans although we do have a chapter dedicated to ourselves as we too are amazing, although hardly endangered; however, the argument Rundell offers suggests otherwise if we don’t change. An illustration opens each discussion of her chosen animal with a simple title; for instance, The Seahorse. Rundell then goes on to tell us about each animal with a plethora of interesting and intriguing facts, none of which I will discuss here. I will let the wonderfulness await you.
Secondly, the humour. It permeates Rundell’s text throughout, making her prose entertaining and light. However, and most importantly, this does not diminish anything from the seriousness of her message; it merely serves to enhance the power of her message. Ultimately, this book is a plea to us all to look around us and look deeply, at the many species that inhabit this space with us, and recognise that they are not a resource to be exploited or a nuisance to be displaced but are, in fact, companions on this amazing planet which we inhabit together and are worthy of our respect and our admiration. They are being placed in danger for nefarious reasons, usually associated with economic gain and an inordinate need for aphrodisiacs, it would seem.
It is damning but Rundell does well to keep her purpose less a condemnation and more a rally to action, reinforced by the fact that half of the author royalties will go to help conserve the planet.
The message – we are all in this together. Some have been in it longer than others, longer than humans and it would be nice if we could all continue together on Earth for a lot longer, if only we could show consideration, constraint, and reason. Because if we don’t, our world will undoubtably suffer.
Must read!
Scuffed Granny 