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Pink Boots and a Machete: My Journey From NFL Cheerleader to National Geographic Explorer (2011)

by Mireya Mayor

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1148253,134 (3.69)1
"A quick examination of her roots, and one may never have guessed that Mireya Mayor would become the woman she is today. Yet, against all odds, this self-professed former "girly girl" daughter of overprotective Cuban immigrants blossomed from NFL cheerleader to Fulbright Scholar to field scientist and ultimately, quintessential adventurer. Now, with more than a decade's worth of thrilling exploits under her belt, Mayor recounts her life in a riveting, awe-inspiring new book. In a series of short chapters, she relives each exhilarating event with uncanny charm and self-deprecating humor. Readers have the rare opportunity to follow the renowned primatologist around the globe as she unlocks the mysteries of the natural world and endeavors to save some of the planet's rarest creatures. Says Mayor: "I love the adventure, the exploration, the scientific discovery and the documentation. But really what drives me is the thought that future generations--my own children and their children--can one day learn to appreciate them like I do." Throughout this unforgettable volume, she describes in stunning detail how she survived a plane crash...slept in jungles teeming with poisonous snakes...dove with hungry great white sharks...rappelled down a 14,000-foot sinkhole in search of frogs...draws blood from critically endangered lemurs...was charged by an angry silver-backed gorilla...was chased by elephants...and the list goes. Suffice it to say, Mireya Mayor has seen more in her 30-odd years than most of us will see in a lifetime. Her plucky spirit, brilliance in the face of calamity, and sheer will to succeed make this a classic mission book, and a thoroughly breathtaking read"--Provided by publisher.… (more)
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Showing 1-5 of 8 (next | show all)
This is a personal account by Mireya Mayor about how she became a scientist and then one of National Geographic's explorers. It's filled with interesting tidbits from her various adventures as well as reflections on how she's handled and overcome people's "you don't look like a scientist" reactions. The book is a little disjointed in its approach but it's still informative and entertaining. While there are a few instances of swear words included, it's generally a clean read and I think would be great for teen girls who could benefit from thinking about their career choices and being inspired by someone who has challenged stereotypes. ( )
  jjpseattle | Aug 2, 2020 |
An awesome life story presented in a way that I imagine would be appealing to a young impressionable girl. Enough about pink boots and looking pretty already! ( )
  bsmashers | Aug 1, 2020 |
A bio of an adventurous life ( )
  siri51 | Jan 5, 2015 |
It took me a long time to get into this book, though it's ostensibly the sort of book I adore. Mayor's book suffers from the lack of a competent editor, I think. There are wildly discursive stories and internal inconsistencies. I enjoyed the parts about animals very much while the parts about breaking a nail in the wilderness made me roll my eyes- just as Wendy predicted, no doubt.

By the time I was a little over halfway through, though, I was interested enough to overlook the choppy and conversational writing style and focus on the actual meat of the book. I liked, especially, Mayor's unapologetic stance regarding continuing her adventurous life despite being a mother. I didn't at all enjoy the reality TV show portion of the book, which recounted a dreadful, dreary modern bit of show business and could have been left out entirely.

My heart still belongs to Gerald Durrell when it comes to adventures in the wilderness, though. ( )
  satyridae | Apr 5, 2013 |
I didn't had low expectations of this book, mostly due some other reviews. I was, however, luckily misguided. This is no great work of literature and obviously the writer wasn't aiming for that at all. What it is, is a personal story about her career and life. Which makes it much more tolerable. She goes on some amazing adventures and sees and does things very few of us ever experience. Would I recommend it? Maybe. To everyone? No. I wasn't overly fond of the writing style at points and the gratuitous reminders of how girly she was got on my nerves. I have never been on an expedition and am in fact quite girly - but I have to say my eyebrows just about reached my hairline when I read about her preparations for the first one. I have never been on an expedition, so I have no idea what strange mistakes I'd make, but.... Her enthusiasm makes up for a lot, as well as the fact that underneath all that nail polish obviously exists a brave, determined scientist and explorer. All in all I found this book too inspiring to be overly bothered by her descriptions of manicures, though bother me they did. ( )
  Merinde | Mar 31, 2013 |
Showing 1-5 of 8 (next | show all)
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"A quick examination of her roots, and one may never have guessed that Mireya Mayor would become the woman she is today. Yet, against all odds, this self-professed former "girly girl" daughter of overprotective Cuban immigrants blossomed from NFL cheerleader to Fulbright Scholar to field scientist and ultimately, quintessential adventurer. Now, with more than a decade's worth of thrilling exploits under her belt, Mayor recounts her life in a riveting, awe-inspiring new book. In a series of short chapters, she relives each exhilarating event with uncanny charm and self-deprecating humor. Readers have the rare opportunity to follow the renowned primatologist around the globe as she unlocks the mysteries of the natural world and endeavors to save some of the planet's rarest creatures. Says Mayor: "I love the adventure, the exploration, the scientific discovery and the documentation. But really what drives me is the thought that future generations--my own children and their children--can one day learn to appreciate them like I do." Throughout this unforgettable volume, she describes in stunning detail how she survived a plane crash...slept in jungles teeming with poisonous snakes...dove with hungry great white sharks...rappelled down a 14,000-foot sinkhole in search of frogs...draws blood from critically endangered lemurs...was charged by an angry silver-backed gorilla...was chased by elephants...and the list goes. Suffice it to say, Mireya Mayor has seen more in her 30-odd years than most of us will see in a lifetime. Her plucky spirit, brilliance in the face of calamity, and sheer will to succeed make this a classic mission book, and a thoroughly breathtaking read"--Provided by publisher.

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