Madagascar is a land where lizards scream & monkey-like lemurs sing songs of inexpressible beauty. KKnown as the Great Red Isl&, it is a place where fossa & tenrecs, vangas & aye ayes thrive in a true Lost World alongside bizarre plants like the octopus tree & the three-cornered palm. & where the ancestors of the Malagasy, as the islands 18 tribes are collectively known, come alive in rollicking ceremonies known as "turning the bones." This natural & cultural history of Madagascar is an exploration of what makes the island so extraordinary. It is the only book that combines cutting-edge science & conservation with adventure travel & historical narrative. Perfect for those about to travel to Madagascar for the first time or just want to learn more, much of the historical material will be new to those familiar with Madagascar, even researchers who have worked there for years.