Pink Boots and a Machete

January 15, 2011

A memoir by a former NFL cheerleader who traded her pom-poms for a life of adventure as globe-trotting primatologist.

Mayor was the American-born daughter of a single Cuban mother who "didn't take the typical scientist route." Her love of the natural world began in early childhood, but as she grew older, the pressure to assume a more normative femininity increased. By the time she reached high school, she "had become a full-fledged girlie-girl and performer." Once in college, however, her passion for wildlife was rekindled, and she soon found herself living a double life as an anthropology student and NFL cheerleader. At 22, the fashion-obsessed girl who idolized Dian Fossey and Jane Goodall earned the first of many grants that would take her to study primates in South America and Africa. For all her research work in the field—and as a roving TV correspondent for National Geographic—Mayor never gave up her trademark stylishness, even when the going got tough. While the author's colorful background is unquestionably unique for a scientist, she occasionally overplays both her distinguished credentials and the "girliness" that has differentiated her from her colleagues. But this is perhaps understandable given the subtle and not-so-subtle forms of professional discrimination she faced for being an intelligent, attractive woman who also liked "wearing pink boots and tanks tops." Ultimately, Mayor's defensiveness and tendency to self-promote is redeemed by the gutsy grittiness and wicked sense of humor that allowed her to survive danger, disease and sexism.

Entertaining reading for the intrepid at heart.

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

February 15, 2011

Mayor, a National Geographic Emerging Explorer, television correspondent, respected primatologist, and former Miami Dolphins cheerleader, offers a highly readable first-person account of her worldwide travels. Mayor makes no apologies about her "fashion sense and background in pom-poms," recounting in the chapter "Hello I Hate You" the multiple occasions when her good looks were the source of discriminatory behavior from others in both academic and scientific communities. Mayor amply describes her many exploits: discovering a new species of lemur in Madagascar, studying gorillas in the Congo, and retracing Henry Morton Stanley's search for David Livingstone in Tanzania. VERDICT The prose is uneven throughout, but as a whole this collection fills an important gap; it ought to inspire young people, especially young women, to follow in Mayor's footsteps. Armchair adventurers and readers interested in nature will enjoy the journey. (Photos not seen.)--Faye A. Chadwell, Oregon State Univ. Libs., Corvallis

Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2011
On a lark, Mayor tried out for the Miami Dolphins cheerleading squad in college. Surprising everyone, she made the cut; but, while enjoying the camaraderie, it was never more than a fun diversion as she sought her true calling. An anthropology course inspired an unexpected interest in studying primates. To follow in the footsteps of Dian Fossey, Mayor writes she had to trade in my pompoms for hiking boots, and clearly she made the right decision. The cheerleading narrative is over by chapter three, and the pages that follow are all about swamps, jungles, tropical diseases, and lots of wildlife encounters, especially with gorillas. Mayor clearly loves her job and despite more than one tedious comparison to Indiana Jones, Lara Croft, Survivor, and Lost, she stresses that modern exploration is about analyzing and protecting our fragile world and its wildlife. Written in a breezy style that will be welcome to reality-television aficionados, this National Geographic Wild cohost knows her audience and has crafted an appealing memoir that will be particularly welcome to outdoor wannabes.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)