Douglas Adams

An award-winning writer of humorous science fiction adventures, (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Dirk Gently novels) Adams is responsible for the lion's share of Last Chance to See. He is sent in 1985 by Observer Colour Magazine to Madagascar to team with noted zoologist Mark Carwardine of the World Wildlife Fund to publicize the near extinction of the aye-aye, a nocturnal lemur. Having just finished an author tour in America, Adams flies to Madagascar via Paris, laden with photographic gear and other paraphernalia and is sick of the "American Expressness" of his recent travels. This is helpful for primitive life in the bush.

In Madagascar, Carwardine inspires Adams with stories of other endangered species and arranges additional trips while Adams completes existing writing commitments. Adams admits his reputation for being a "gadget freak" and enjoys programming his computer even when the task at hand does not require...