Thank You, Madagascar

'An enchanting book…poignant and passionate.'
Geographical

'A captivating and absorbing account.'
Sir David Attenborough

Madagascar is one of the world’s natural jewels, with over ninety per cent of its wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. Few people knew it better than the pioneering primatologist and conservationist, Alison Jolly. Thank You, Madagascar is her eyewitness account of the extraordinary biodiversity of the island, and the environment of its people.

At the book’s heart is a conflict between three different views of nature. Is the extraordinary forest treasure-house of Madagascar a heritage for the entire world? Is it a legacy of the forest dwellers’ ancestors, bequeathed to serve the needs of their living descendants? Or is it an economic resource to be pillaged for short-term gain and to be preserved only to deliver benefits for those with political power?

Exploring and questioning these different views, this is a beautifully written diary and a tribute to Madagascar.

• Foreword - Hilary Bradt
• Introduction: My Adventurous and Astonishing Mother - Margaretta Jolly
• Chronology of events
• Dramatis Personae
• Map of Madagascar
• 1. 'Our country is committing suicide'
  
• Part I: Villages
  • 2. Dancing in the Rainforest
  • 3. Burning Baobabs, Death of Children
  • 4. David Attenborough, Madame Berthe's Mouse Lemur, and School Among the Baobabs
  • 5. Eleanor and the Aye-Ayes Part II: Politics
  • 6. Where Indri Sing
  • 7. Napoleon Versus the Zoos
  • 8. The Bank Corrals the Donors
  • 9. Dishing out the Dough
  • 10. Our Cash Killed Bedo
  • 11. The Bank Goes to the Forest
• Part III: Environment and Development
  • 12. Golden Bamboo Lemurs of Ranomafana
  • 13. Patricia Walked the Boundaries
  • 14. The Village of the Fig Tree
  • 15. Development Meltdown
  • 16. Real Life and DreamWorks
  • 17. President Ratsiraka
  • 18. Madame Berthe was Dancing
• Part IV: Weather
  • 19. Famine in the South
  • 20. Lemurs Coping
  • 21. Scientists, People, Lemurs: Berenty, Bezà Mahafaly and Tsimanampetsotsa
  • 22. Climate Change
• Part V: Money
  • 23. Durban Vision; Rosewood Massacre
  • 24. The New Mines
  • 25. Where are We Now?
• References
• Photographic credits
• Index