Today is Jane Goodall's 90th birthday. To honor this very special day that is being celebrated globally, my colleague Koen Margodt and I, both close friends and colleagues of Goodall, assembled a highly unique book, Jane Goodall at 90: Celebrating an Astonishing Lifetime of Science, Advocacy, Humanitarianism, Hope, and Peace, as a loving tribute from Goodall's family and friends to a most amazing, iconic, and indefatigable woman and much more. In this wide-ranging collection of original tributes and some old and new photographs from numerous time zones and continents, we celebrate Goodall's 90th birthday with ninety wonderful essays we call "candles." Family, friends, current researchers, former students, other scientists, philosophers, animal and environmental activists, conservationists, colleagues, CEOs, and actors share their love for this most amazing woman.

Many new stories are included, such as how her first scientific lecture in 1962 was received, how she brought a message of hope to the Democratic Republic of Congo amid impending shelling, her love for dogs, chimpanzees, pigs, rats, dolphins, spiders, lobsters, and many other animals, how translators were moved to tears as she spoke her heart, and her incredible sense of humor. Goodall loves having fun and unending globe-trotting quests for adventure, and Goodall pretends to be a prairie dog.

Some topics among numerous other gems include:

The Voice in Our Hearts and Heads

A Salute on Your 90th Journey Around the Sun

What the Animals Say When Jane Comes ‘Round

Jane Goodall and Her Love for Lobsters

Animal Advocacy in the Anthropocene

Tanzanian Tribute (from many people who have worked with Dr. Goodall for many decades)

Dayenu: It Would Have Been Enough

Jane Goodall: Our Planet’s Leading Inspirational Force For Good

Jane Goodall: A Legacy of Compassion and Connection

Jane Goodall: Messenger of Peace and Hope and Master Storyteller

Happy Birthday to Jane the Siren

Nine Decades of Advocacy, Inspiration, and Kindness

The Impossible Ubiquity of a Heroic Difference-Maker

Jane Goodall as Scientist

Jane Goodall: The Lighthouse of Love

Dolphins and Dr. Goodall: Amazing Creatures and the Most Amazing Person

There are many surprises in these heartfelt reflections in this book, in addition to what just about everyone knows about this iconic and indefatigable woman who offers hope to everyone she meets no matter where they are. We can hear people saying, "I didn't know that." All in all, these stories and photographs represent who we call the "real Jane"1.

References

1) A few of the contributors include Anne Pusey, Anthony Collins, Sir Brian May, Craig Foster, Dave Matthews, Emmanuel Mtiti, Grub van Lawick and grandchildren Angel, Merlin, and Nick, Jae Choe, JGI colleagues, Josphat Ngonyo, Leonardo DiCaprio, Marc Benioff, Mary Lewis, Peter Singer, Rhett Butler, Richard Wrangham, Rooney Mara and Joaquin Phoenix, Satish Kumar, and Shadrack Mkolle Kamenya.