The first, and most depressing, essay covers the near disappearance of wildlife over much of western Africa, as seen in Mr. Matthiessen's journey through Senegal, Gambia and the Ivory Coast. In any case, nearly all is now silence. The third, and best, essay recounts an often hair-raising trip, largely by bush plane, with the renowned local wildlife biologist David Western. All these issues inevitably raise a troubling theme in our age of greater sensitivity to cultural diversity and to the sins of our past. Clearly, the wrong way focuses on Western mythology about our souls' need and longing for primeval wonder.
Romanticism is an ever-present temptation and danger.
But beware its two greatest pitfalls. I do, too, there is nothing I like better. African wildlife and habitats can only be preserved if long-term economic and social benefits will accrue to African people for the effort. If no honorable argument can be made along these lines, the cause is lost. Mr. Matthiessen has run into Catch-22.