Dreaming in Turtle: A Journey Through the Passion, Profit, and Peril of Our Most Coveted Prehistoric Creatures Hardcover – November 20, 2018

This is the story of the status of turtles around the world and it’s not a pretty picture. Journalist and professor Laufer travels extensively to find out and observe how turtles of many species are being sold. He sees them sold openly in markets and stacked on top of each other in tubs with little or no food or water, he talks to the owners of farms where they are raised legally, he finds out how they are poached and transferred across state and national borders, and how they are frequently sold illegally by the same networks that sell drugs. He learns some cultures believe they are more tasty or produce better medicine when they are cut up live.The first half of the book is cringeworthy; it gets harder and harder to read. But then Laufer starts to include instances where some enlightened individuals and organizations appreciate the turtles’ longevity (since the time of the dinosaurs) and are attempting to save the species today. We learn about turtles (sea creatures) and tortoises (land based); how they carefully dig holes and cover their eggs; their diverse habitats, from rivers in Texas and swamps in Louisiana to the deserts in the West where the construction of solar panels has disrupted their homes and tunnels (that are used by other land animals as well); and the less than successful attempts to move them to other locations. And of course, while there are many land animals who dig up and eat the eggs, and many sea creatures who wait to catch the hatchlings on their first migration using the ocean, their biggest predators are humans. Besides being eaten, they are used for medicine in some cultures and easy to catch and exploit for religious ceremonies because they are slow-moving creatures with routine habits that can be easily learned.Laufer borrows a turtle for the duration of his work on the book and learns a little about turtle habits and preferred foods. He doesn’t quite make a personal connection with his turtle and returns it to its former safe location under the protection of the Turtle Conservancy. But he respects turtles and he observes repeatedly that everyone seems to have a turtle story. In general, we like turtles. Yet he mingles with many who clearly do not have the same respect for turtles’ lives, but he appears to maintain his objectivity and shows good manners in their presence so as to draw out their stories. He notes at the end of the book what has been said in different ways by wildlife biologists and others who appreciate nature and share a concern for vulnerable species, that the way we treat them defines us and our humanity, and will determine what sort of planet we live on and the values we pass on.

People who love turtles (and who doesn’t) and even folks who haven’t thought much about them—will never think about these awesome creatures the same way. I loved the book so much, I bought the audio book, as well. New and in original packaging.Before I could open it, I gave it to friends who do lots of driving and enjoy audio books.I reordered, and I’m sure CDs are probably the OK, but the audio book case had clearly been opened as there was no plastic wrapping present. Will need to listen soon in case I find a scratched CD or other problem.

I started caring about turtles when my wife and I installed a turtle dock in the pond behind our home. Observing their comings and goings has fascinated us over the last several years. So when I picked up the author’s book at the library I was expecting to learn more about these fascinating creatures. I did learn some things but more importantly was introduced to a world of great peril for many species of turtles. This is not a comfortable book to read at times but it is a book more people should read to better understand what is occurring in the world of turtles. Like so many of our disappearing creatures, these guys also need our help even though they may not be as glamorous as pandas and polar bears.

Peter Laufer can tell a story like no one else. The subject of turtles might seem mundane and slow but Laufer turns it into a personal adventure that we share. He is correct that we all have a personal turtle story and now I have a new one, with his help. Anyone who cares about nature, critters, and the environment should add this to the library. I doubt if I will ever look at a turtle the same way after reading this book.

The level of research and personalization the author integrates into the central theme, turtle extinction, is memorable. The writing is precise, and the content is rich with a mix of facts and personal memoir.

Present

I am reviewing the audiobook of "Dreaming in Turtle," which is read by the author.My original intention in selecting this book was to simply learn more about turtles. Although this book was not strictly about the biological details of turtles, it tells a very powerful and engaging story about how and why they are important to humans and what the implications of that importance are.I appreciated the variety of perspectives Laufer collects to catalog the range of human experiences with turtles. These are very compassionately presented, even in the case of smugglers and medical or religious practitioners who use turtles for extractive or sacrificial purposes. It was helpful to be presented with a nuanced view of such people, rather than a harsh "othering" -- that said, Laufer communicates the dignity and charisma of turtles so capably that I doubt anyone reading this would be able to eat or use them for any extractive purpose afterwards.I was especially touched by Laufer's relationship with Fred the desert box turtle. His descriptions of Fred are truly endearing. The dramatic arc of their relationship is one of the most satisfying aspects of the book.I also want to highlight one pivotal moment in the book: Laufer's description of the crowded captivity of a sea turtle farming operation (the Cayman Turtle Centre) juxtaposed with a majestic characterization of these "migratory and solitary" creatures.For me, this is when the book "clicked" and I felt a deep sense of urgency about the urgency of protecting turtles. They represent so many things that are so precious in this world: freedom, innocence, gentleness, patience. Making the world safe for turtles in turn helps make the world safe for everything they represent to us.I am appreciative that Laufer wrote this book, and hope more people will pick it up and be inspired by our turtle friends.