Member Reviews
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Can't really go wrong with having an attractive vet on the cover, can you? haha.
The book is educational but still interesting. He's a great story-teller.
I'll definitely be looking out for other work by this author.
received a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review
This was a great read. Knowing that he was inspired by Steve Irwin was pretty cool and I appreciated his respect for nature
"And if you're an evolutionary biology student, your professional mecca is the Galapagos Islands...".
^ It's true, I did this same trip when I graduated with my Biology degree.
Ok so this book was awesome! It was very approachable, readable and fun which will help transcend the love of bio to non-bio nerds. Of course if you're a science-nerd already I have no doubt you'll love it.
Do I high-key have a long standing crush on Dr. Evan Antin - yes, obviously. He's a beautiful man with adorable animals & a love for nature! What's not to love. BUT that did not bias my reading experience. I was captivated by how informal and playful this memoir was. He talks about exploring all the different continents and his less than elegant experiences with the creatures he came across. So many of his biology experiences were parallel to mine ( but of course he did it bigger, better and more dramatic). His voice shines through and it is clear that he loves animals and nature. He does amazing things to help the animals and to promote a better understanding of their world. He named dropped a few of my favorite biologists & I always appreciate mutual respect for Leaky's Angels.
Overall I thought this was such a fun memoir which really brings some entertainment to biology (which often times can sound dry). He really paints a lovely picture of the landscapes and the amazing creatures he finds.
I would recommend this to all readers that have a zest for life!
*I received an arc in exchange for an honest review*.
As an environmental science major, I love all things wildlife and this book is very informative! I think this would be a great read for those who do not understand reptiles and might help them get over their fears!
I learned so much from this book! I have a long-standing fear of snakes and always heard they were more afraid of me than I was of them. The author reiterated this and so many more facts about wildlife.
World Wild Vet // by Evan Antin
I have to be honest: I've had a bit of a crush on Dr Antin since I first saw him cross my Facebook timeline. I am a former pre-vet student that is still very interested in learning many random facts about many different animals so his show and posts have always intrigued me, though I don't watch enough TV to keep up with him much. When I saw that he was coming out with a book though, I knew I just had to have it!
This probably was my easiest and most fun non-fiction read of 2020 so far and by easy, I don't mean to be rude, but I mean it as a compliment. As a frequent non-fiction reader I come across a lot of heavy books and it is refreshing to have the opposite experience every once in a while. This was exactly that. I've already recommended it to some non-readers due to this as well as it is a book that can be picked up for a few minutes at a time by someone that just does not enjoy reading as much as I do. The book is split into several sections, which are then split unto many very short chapters that focus mostly on specific animals or a specific experience with an animal that may come up more than once. This organization is what makes this book such a quick and easy read as you don't have to allot a lot of time at once with the fear of losing track if you stop in the middle of a chapter.
I really enjoy books that cause me to do my own research and frequently google what I am reading about. No other book has ever made me google so many things as World Wild Vet. I am familiar with a lot of animals, but Dr Antin managed to write about so many that are completely unknown to me. My own studies were mostly focused on domestic animals, though I do enjoy frequent wild animal documentaries, so getting to learn about all of these animals from a wildlife student's and later veterinarian's point of view was absolutely fascinating. I never expected to be so interested in learning about snakes and other creepy crawlies (and even think some of them are cute!) until I got to experience them through this eyes of someone that is so in love with them. While I am still scared or creeped out by the idea of personally handling many of them, I do have a much greater appreciation for them now. He also covers many species that are cute or impressive in a way we usually expect.
From my infrequent encounters on social media of Dr Antin, I did not realize that he was so involved in so many conservation projects. It is fascinating what researchers, volunteers, park rangers and conservationists are capable of doing for the survival of a species when they put their heart and soul into it. I fell in love with so many of these projects and people after learning about their dedication to the animals that are left vulnerable due to the cruelty and irresponsibility of humans. While their was not enough time for Dr Antin to go into deep detail about each project he was a part of, he still shows us enough to know how to find out more. We are already planning on donating to several of these organizations due to the way he conveys his confidence in them through this book.
If you are an animal lover in any way, shape or form, I highly recommend this read. It is fun, it is educational, and it is needed. I only wish he would have ended the book in a different way. It felt very abrupt and I did not realize it was ending even while reading the last chapter. It just stopped. I think some more explanations about how to get involved or something else to round it out would have been nice. Overall though, I absolutely adore this book!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
I admit I had no idea who Evan Antin was when I requested this ARC. I just really enjoy a good animal memoir and luckily this was precisely that. I had a great time trekking the globe with Antin as he seeks out experiences with animals both before and after becoming a vet. I might choose to pick up fewer venomous snakes (and by fewer I mean none) but I appreciated his enthusiasm for the task. An easy book to dip in and out but remain engaged.
I loved these brief encounters between vet Evan Antin and wildlife around the world. He's so enthusiastic about everything from sharks to snakes to gorillas that you can't help but be pulled along.
The book is very well-written, with lots of descriptions of the animals and their behavior, so that you feel a part of the action. Antin's charm is very evident, as is his passion for saving animals of all types and under all circumstances.
***Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
Having followed Evan Antin on Instagram for a long time, it's nice to see more content about him. It's always nice to have an attractive Vet, but hearing his stories are just as entertaining.
World Wild Vet is an autobiographical memoir by Dr. Evan Antin about his background and the road he's traveled in his career and following today. Due out 27th Oct 2020 from Macmillan on their Henry Holt & co. imprint, it's 256 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.
The book is written around a framework of semi-chronological reminiscences arranged by geographical areas. He opens with his early student experiences in Australia and Africa through his years qualifying as a vet and onward to his specialist training and experience with exotics and his deep commitment to conservation and educational work.
The book sometimes felt a bit scattered and directionless to me but it was always well told and Dr. Antin's passion for his work shines through. I confess that I picked the book up because of the cover and subject material (I, like a lot of youngsters, had a dream to become a vet, but found that programs leading to a healthcare degree aimed at humans was a lot easier to access). It was fun to live vicariously through Dr. Antin's eyes.
Four stars. This would make a superlative choice for fans of his media work, animal lovers, and readers who enjoy memoirs (Cousteau, Attenborough, etc).
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
***I received a copy through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.***
I’ve been a fan of Dr. Antin for years and was thrilled to receive an advanced copy of his upcoming book. His ability to educate and inspire through social media is respected. But reading about his experiences was terrific.
I’ve worked in conservation for several years and I related wholeheartedly to Evan’s desire to engage with wildlife, educate people, and ultimately protect some of the world’s rarest creatures.
Evan’s personality and excitement is so prominent in this book, and I’m grateful that it was storytelling and not just a facts on paper.
I was a huge fan of his experiences being told in short segments, it made reading this really easy and entertaining.
Being a conservationist, the only thing I would change about this book would be educating readers about more of the threats these species face and what we can do to help. The end of this book was a little abrupt too. Overall, this was a great and inspiring read.
I would like to preface my review by saying that I had never heard of Evan Antin prior to picking up this book, but I was fascinated to read about his experiences with animals around the world. I am extremely happy that I picked this book up.
It has an excellent introduction that really captures the readers attention. Evan Antin uses the introduction to give you a taste of what he will share throughout the book. He tells an anecdote that enthralls the reader, shares what fueled his passion and provides a brief synopsis on what he hopes to accomplish in the future.
The author does a wonderful job using vocabulary to give you a visual picture and also is capable of enhancing the vision by sharing his own sensory experiences. My favorite thing that the author is able to do is his ability to share his awe for the many animals he encounters. When he discusses the first time he swam with loggerhead turtles you will feel a smile break over your face because you can feel his exuberance. There are also many moments throughout the book that tug on your heartstrings. Whether it is the description of friendship between two elephants or the incredible moment of sea turtle hatchlings making their way into the sea for the first time. Each experience is brought to life and shared with the reader.
Part 1 of the book takes you through his semester abroad programs. One in Australia and the other in Tanzania. It was fascinating and at points you wonder how the author is still alive. He was a young adventurer who took great joy in exploring his surroundings. He shares with you both wildlife and cultural experiences that keep the reader intrigued. I personally greatly enjoyed the look at his time with a Maasai family. Hearing about his experiences were educational and informative.
As I traveled with the author through his book I enjoyed the additional comments in parentheses. I felt that these extra tidbits made you feel like he was sharing something extra special with you or letting you in on a side joke. When he talks about going to the Galápagos Islands and how this was like a pilgrimage for him I believe that everyone who is passionate about something will be able to relate. Reading his description reminded me of my own feelings, as a librarian, of traveling to see the Book of Kells in the Old Library at Trinity College in Dublin. I loved that his description was relatable and was able to convey a very specific feeling.
I would recommend this book to a variety of readers because you almost feel like you are sitting down with the author and he is just sharing stories with you. While there is some scientific jargon for the most part he is extremely aware of his audience and does and excellent job speaking to them. For example, when discussing the tortoises on the Galápagos Islands he states “It was like coming face to face with Yoda.” The mix of pop culture and other references that we experience daily brings the stories to life. I am extremely happy that I stopped to read the description and took the chance on reading a author that was new to me.
van Antin is an animal lover, world traveler, conservationist, TV and Instagram star along with oh yeah a veterinarian. Not just any Vet but a world wide vet. Who documents his travels in this book. The first half of this book covers his travels around the world be graduating from college, on this trips his goal is to meet or see various birds, animals, and reptiles and water creatures also but his first love is the reptiles. The second have of this book is after he receives his papers stating that he is a Vet and travels around the world to help with conservation efforts and various animal issues with animals that are not common in a Vet's office including a Orangutan who swallowed ritalin pills. This was a pretty good read even though there were times that the author was pretty full of himself. I would rate this book at 3.75 stars. Thank you to Netgalley and Henry Holt and Company for an ARC copy for a fair an honest review.
This was a fabulous book. I was expecting a dull story about the days in and our of a veterinarian. What a got was a fun book about a very adventurous soul.
I've been a James Herriot fan since childhood, so I was intrigued by Dr. Antin's tales of the animals he's met in the far corners of the world. World Wild Vet is interesting and entertaining! He doesn't go into as much detail when building the setting or characters; each story tends to be short and animal-focused. This means he doesn't create an intimate world like Herriot shared with his readers, but his patients are exotic enough to make it a worthwhile read. I do think he jumps from place to place a little too abruptly; I often wished for more information about his experiences in one place or another.
I will definitely recommend this as a high-interest book for my high schoolers, especially those who are interested in travel, animals, or veterinary science!
I was torn when I first started reading this book. The author is a young guy studying to be a vet who is eager to pick up any reptile or animal he can get his hands on in the wild. I was uncomfortable because I felt you should leave wild animals alone. They are wild and should not be interfered with. Too many times well-meaning people do more harm than good. Anyway, as I read on I really got into this book. He traveled everywhere. I am an armchair traveler. I don't like heat bugs, sketchy lodgings, rats, dysentery, dangerous water, and poor food. The author does not mind any of this. In fact, he thrives on it. He saw unbelievable animals like an anaconda in the wild, an elephant sanctuary in Thailand, and he relocated giraffes in Uganda. He has adventures with chimpanzees, gorillas, and Komodo dragons but you will have to get the book and read about them yourself. Great book for an armchair traveler. You can also see this adventurous vet on YouTube and on T.V. His conservation work is admirable. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this armchair vacation in exchange for a review.
This was interesting! My main complaint was that it didn't feel super well organized, particularly later in the book - there was no really flow between chapters. I still would definitely recommend this to people who love reading about animals though!
I grew up reading James Herriot’s lovely books about his veterinarian practice in Yorkshire, England. What could Herriot possible have in common with the fearless adventurer Evin Antin? Their clear and abiding love for animals and nature. Reading Antin’s book is like traveling the world with a compassionate and wise friend, who is doing his best to educate humans and advocate for the other creatures that we share our planet with. A beautiful, funny, heartfelt book