On Becoming a Biologist

“We share a common bond with even the most bizarre beetle of the Peruvian rain forest,” asserts John Janovy Jr. “A belief in that common bond might, in fact, be the most fundamental characteristic of a biologist.” And biologists see the worth of a plant or an animal not in monetary terms but in its contribution to our understanding of life. The famous naturalist brings a humanist’s vision to this superbly written book.

On Becoming a Biologist is grounded in reality, cognizant of practical matters (education and jobs) as well as the ideals that inform the profession—a reverence for life and a responsibility to humankind and its future. Throughout, Janovy draws on his experiences as a graduate and postdoctoral student, on his rewarding relationships with teachers, and on his field work as a naturalist. He has written a new foreword for this Bison Books edition.