Peter Laufer’s latest book, Dreaming in Turtle, is called “a masterpiece of nature writing” by professor of biological sciences at the University of Southern California and author of The Last Tortoise, Craig Stanford.
The book is a fascinating exploration into the world of turtles across the globe; Laufer charts the lore, love, and peril to a beloved species.
Dreaming in Turtle is a compelling story of a stalwart animal prized from prehistory through to today―an animal threatened by human greed, pragmatism, and rationalization. It stars turtles and shady and heroic human characters both, in settings ranging from luxury redoubts to degraded habitats, during a time when the confluence of easy global trade, limited supply, and inexhaustible demand has accelerated the stress on species. The growth of the middle class in high-population regions like China, where the turtle is particularly valued, feeds this perfect storm into which the turtle finds itself lashed. This is a tale not just of endangered turtles but also one of overall human failings, frailties, and vulnerabilities―all punctuated by optimistic hope for change fueled by dedicated turtle champions.
“Peter Laufer takes us into the world of turtles, and allows those slow, steady, clumsy, primitive throwbacks-to-the-dinosaurs to capture our imagination, sympathy and love. Land and sea, as varied as you and me, they are thought to have spiritual powers and to bring positive energy and good health. And who wouldn’t want to be able to disappear into one’s shell occasionally? As Laufer explains, we all have a turtle story.”
“Wonderfully episodic...Turtle rescue stories mix with tales of patrolling beaches to protect sea turtles and of catching smugglers, while tales of Fred, Laufer’s box turtle, provide an emotional connection.”
