Travel Sketches from Liberia—Johann Buttikofers 19th Century Rainforest Explorations in West Africa

Buttikofer (1850-1927) was a Swiss zoologist who travelled to Liberia to collect specimens for the Leiden Zoological Museum in 1879-1882, and again in 1886-1887. In addition to his primary mission he vigilantly recorded his experiences and observations as a traveler and included background on the country's history as a modern state (it was established by freed slaves from the United States), its economy and social conditions, the original inhabitants ("the Natives"), and the natural world. Editors Dop (a Dutch-trained biologist deeply involved with conservation work in Liberia) and Robinson (a veterinary surgeon and wildlife biologist, U. of Toledo, and also deeply involved with conservation in Liberia) make available these writings in English for the first time, with annotations, thus bringing this work, which is highly relevant today, to a broad audience of scholars and others involved with present-day Liberia. Annotation c2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Henk Dop, M.Sc. (1982), is a biologist trained at the Free University of Amsterdam. He has been engaged in Africa-related studies and activities for the past three decades. He worked with the Forestry Development Authority in Liberia in 1986-87 and has since then remained active in conservation work in that country.Phillip T. Robinson, M.S., D.V.M. (1972), Michigan State University, is a veterinary surgeon and wildlife biologist who has been engaged in wildlife conservation work in Liberia since 1968. He has conducted field studies in Liberia under the sponsorship of the World Wildlife Fund, National Geographic Society and World Bank, and he is on the research faculty at the University of Toledo (Ohio).