Where Tapirs and Jaguars Once Roamed: Ever-Evolving Costa Rica

Jack Ewing is a captivating storyteller and an impassioned curator of all creatures and nature in the places that make our planet special. And one of those places is Costa Rica where pura vida—pure life—is still possible. With a combination of humor, wisdom, and an intimate knowledge that can only come from one who has lived it and embraced the wonders of such an environment for most of his life, he takes us on a magical journey that details how he came to fall into the country’s spell and become its ecological ambassador, from hauling cattle out of Canada in an old DC-6 to converting a rustic ranch in coastal Dominical to the renowned Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Refuge it is today. Along the way, he spools the rich history of the land in one riveting tale after another, and it becomes clear that his love affair with the country and its inhabitants—both human and animal—is, in itself, a national treasure. Whether or not you have been to Costa Rica, Jack's historical nuggets and adventures will captivate and inspire and, just possibly, provide a new perspective on the world we live in and how to better appreciate it.

Just finished reading this amazing book by Jack Ewing. I laughed, I cried, I learned, I wanted to return to Hacienda Baru where I had visited in 2015. What a journey Jack and his wife and children have taken in Costa Rica. How they have evolved from ranching to eco-tourism and preserving the bio-diversity of their little corner of the world is a remarkable story. Jack's tales are outstanding, but one of my favorite quotes is from his son Chris who said "My greatest take-away from being raised in rural Costa Rica is the ability to find the positive when events do not unfold according to plan, an attitude embraced by few Americans when their plans unravel." A must read that I will be reading over and over again. Thanks Jack Ewing for your writing and your important work in Costa Rica.

Like his earlier "Monkeys are Made of Chocolate", Ewing describes nature in Costa Rica, its turbulent history, and the ongoing efforts to preserve and, where possible, restore it. Political and economic realities are addressed. This is a MUST-OWN reference for anyone working in conservation and sustainable economies today.

Lots of anthropological and natural history in readable form for nature lovers. Thanks for confirming my yearning as fully worthwhile!!

Loved this book. The easy to read essays gave an amazing look into the evolution of conservation in Costa Rica. The reader learns about the importance of the wildlife that lives there as well a the culture of the people living in the area. I read this book and Monkeys are Made of Chocolate after briefly meeting Jack Ewing at Hacienda Baru this spring. I can't wait to return next year with a group of college students to spend more time in the area, now having the knowledge of its history. Parts of this books will be required reading and discussion material for my study abroad course.

Very informative of Costa Rica's Central Pacific Coast's history and conservation efforts. Makes me want to visit Hacienda Baru! I enjoyed the personal stories about real people.

I am most impressed by Jack Ewing's ability to tell stories about the animals and vegetation that should be interesting to the general public and then, in layman's terms, reveal how the animals and plants fit a niche in the functioning of the ecosystem.

Great history about the southern zone of Costa Rica and one of my favorite surf spots...Dominical. I highly recommend this book,