The Windward Road, published in 1956, made history. When Archie Carr began to rove the Caribbean to write about sea turtles, he saw that their numbers were dwindling. Out of this appeal to save them grew the first ventures in international sea turtle conservation and the establishment of the Caribbean Conservation Corporation. In addition to sea turtle biology, Carr recorded his general impressions, producing a natural history sprinkled with colorful stories.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 4 reviews)

The Windward Road leads the way

Archie Carr rates with Rachel Carson as the real pathfinder for environmental consciousness. In addition to his impeccable scientific credentials, he is a wonderful writer. For people who live in the North, nothing combats the mid-winter blues better than spending an hour or two with Archie Carr along the Windward road
September 09, 2008

Excellent Account of Science in Action

This was probably the first piece of scientific "field-study" literature I've ever read, and i would consider it a must-read for anyone in the biological or environmental fields. Carr does an excellent job of portraying a contrast in cultures and simultaneously gives the reader an incredible understanding of the natural climate of the regions he visits as well. His writing style and content both keep the reader engaged, and years after my first read of it, I find myself coming back to the work to read through various sections from time to time. As a young conservation ecologist, this, along with Aldo Leopold's Sand County Almanac, constitutes my professional bible.
March 05, 2007

Naturalist's Humor and Wry Observations Save Story

I found the Windward Road a rather dull account of the author's search for the green turtle. While I appreciated his folksy humor and wry observations, the book failed to be an absorbing adventure. The turtle he is after doesn't turn up until the last two chapters of the book. In fact, the last two chapters were the most interesting for me. I did enjoy Mr. Carr's interactions with the local natives in his wanderings. They carried the knowledge of where to find turtles in their community. Overall I tired of reading about Carr watching native people dig up turtle eggs from their clutch, Carr witnessing the bludgeoning of captured turtles, going on hunts to harpoon turtles and Carr being served up various turtle delicacies. I realize the book was written 50 years ago and sentiments about animals were very different. To that point, it is probably important to read something like this to understand some early turtle nesting areas and how the turtle sustained a native people.
February 16, 2004

A delightful book by a wonderful naturalist

Archie Carr was the Godfather of modern sea-turtle biology and an outspoken advocate of turtle conservation who did more than anyone else to bring our attention to these creatures. The Windward Road is a masterpiece of Natural History writing, capturing a magical moment in time as Carr delves into the secret lives of the great green turtles and takes us with him on journeys to Caribbean islands as yet largely unspoiled by the wave of development that was to come. Anyone interested in conservation biology or with a love of a good yarn should get hold of this book, sink back and hear the trade winds blow -and then get out of your chair & do something to carry on the struggle that Carr waged for so long to preserve turtles and their habitats. This is a book that you will come back to repeatedly & pass on to friends and students with enthusiasm.
January 04, 2002

SIMILAR PRODUCTS

The Man Who Saved Sea Turtles: Archie Carr and the Origins of Conservation Biology
by Frederick Rowe Davis

Sea Turtles: A Complete Guide to Their Biology, Behavior, and Conservation
by James R. Spotila

Sea Turtles: An Ecological Guide
by David Gulko, Karen Eckert

A Naturalist in Florida: A Celebration of Eden
by Archie Carr
by Marjorie Harris Carr

Fire in the Turtle House: The Green Sea Turtle and the Fate of the Ocean
by Osha Gray Davidson