Montgomery has written beautifully about animals before but her descriptions of the turtles and tortoises that she got to know while helping to rescue them and researching this book are full of a beauty and grace that one doesn't expect when talking about reptiles. The line drawings by Matt Patterson are delightful.

Land turtles and tortoises and sea turtles are members of the most endangered family of animals on the planet due to the high global demand for turtle eggs, turtle meat, and turtle shells.. Montgomery talks about loss of habitat, poaching, and the effects of climate change. Montgomery and Patterson both volunteered with the Turtle Rescue League during the COVID-19 pandemic, rescuing, releasing, and caring for turtle eggs, new hatchlings, and injured animals. Montgomery provides fascinating facts about turtles that aren't well-known to the layperson, particularly that turtles and tortoises can recover from what would be a fatal injury in any other species. One of the most interesting themes that she returns to over and over is how differently turtles experience time, which is supported by scientific research, and what that means in the grand scheme of life.

For anyone who enjoys natural history, learning about the marvelous creatures that inhabit our planet with us, and those who like to read about humans who dedicate their lives to helping those who cannot help themselves.

Sy Montgomery is one of my favorite nature writers. She’s not a scientist, so her books are easy to understand. Her love of animals comes through every word, and she translates the science-laden words from experts so that normal people can understand the concepts. But what I like most of all is how the main experts that she translates for are the animals themselves. I learned most of what I remember about octopuses from her and this time her subjects are just as remarkable. I know that “serious” scientists look down at anecdotes and that anthropomorphizing is the worst sin for them, but I enjoy how you really get to know the turtles (and tortoises) here. Some of the experiences she relates are heartbreaking, including the heartlessness of humans and the mess we’ve made of our planet, but others are poignant, touching and uplifting. How so many people can spend so much time, money and energy saving these creatures gives me hope. Twice now I’ve helped a turtle cross the road (I fear that maybe I took them to the wrong place and feel awful about it) and was surprised at how much faster they were than I was expecting. In this volume, some of the turtles are slow, others are faster, they all have their likes and dislikes, and most are horribly damaged, but there’s always hope. The only parts I didn’t love were the political comments. I hope that loving animals is something that can unite us all. Other than that, this is a wonderful, informative book.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#Mariner Books!

I liked this book, but full disclosure, I can see a few ways it might be off-putting for readers who aren't big fans of the author. The style is the same as the author's other books, incorporating science along with experiences interacting with the animal, and mixing in thoughts, reflections, and relevant humanities-- in this case, musings on the nature and experience of time and of aging.

More space in this book (compared to previous books by this author) was given to how things going on in the world impacted the author. She talked about the pandemic, about the U.S. presidency, and more in passing/more generally, a lot of the topics that were in the news in 2020 and 2021. The author's feelings on these issues resonated closely with mine, but I could see someone who disagrees on these topics complaining that the book wanders too far from "the science."

I was hoping that the author would have included trips or travel, as international research has added depth to previous books, but few turtle-centric travel in 2021 or 2022 isn't included. Maybe as a reader I would have preferred to wait for this book to come out in 2024 or 2025, so more experiences from travel and research could be included, but I guess that's between the author and the publisher.

A must-read for the author's established fans, although readers new to Sy might still want to start with The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness or Birdology: Adventures with a Pack of Hens, a Peck of Pigeons, Cantankerous Crows, Fierce Falcons, Hip Hop Parrots, Baby Hummingbirds, and One Murderously Big Living Dinosaur.

eARC from NetGalley.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Mariner Books for an advance copy of this book on turtles, the people that care for them, and what caring for time has done for so many.

A few weeks ago my nephew, age eight, was stuck with his uncle, me for a few days. My nephew is very bright, but doesn't like to read, he prefers the outdoors, something that even at my advanced aged I am still learning about. We went to a nature preserve that was offering classes and meet the animals. When we went it happened to be on turtles. My nephew was entranced, listening closely, asking questions, helping to feed, and place the turtles back in the Tupperware they were traveling in. Even the guide was impressed, and told us so. As we were leaving I told him I had no idea he liked and knew so much about turtles. He turned to me, and that voice only nephews have said, "Uncle Dan, turtles are cool". I wish I had read this book before we went, the desire to be considered the cool Uncle is strong in this one, and would have impressed him with all I know. What impressed me most about the book was the danger that turtles faced, from nature, from human indifference, and a lot of human cruelty. Nor did I ever think that turtles could help humans heal as much as these humans heal turtles. Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell, by the very gifted nature writer Sy Montgomery and illustrated by Matt Patterson, is a look at the efforts to rehabilitate wounded turtles, the efforts to save endangered species, and the changes that helping turtles has had on humans who needed it.

The book begins with our authors going to a rescue and rehabilitation center for turtles, a volunteer service that is a 24 task. Readers learn about the fragile nature of turtles, being run over, attacked by animals, and humans, polluting streams, and the danger that turtle eggs face which could effect entire species. Readers also learn about the resiliency of turtles in recovering from begin run over, how turtles can live for long periods, and even at the age of 150 still have children. I really never knew how interesting that life beneath a shell could be. Something else I never knew was the effect that turtles could have on people, bonding with others, bonding with other turtles, and the effect on peoples lives. The authors travel to a turtle sanctuary where it is hard to tell who is being saved more the turtles, or the people volunteering. Eggs are saved, wheelchairs for turtles built, and a cold night on a frozen beach save many turtles from dying.

A book that was far more than I expected. Of course one learns about turtles, their biology, and their lives. But Montgomery is far too gifted a writer to not include the human factor into this story, a factor that she covers beautifully. So many of these people have found a way to get through the trauma of their lives, to find who they are and finally be comfortable, by rescuing, caring and loving these turtles. Montgomery is a writer that can discuss nature, biology, even the makeup of chemicals in a swamp, writing everything clear and concise in interesting. Than discuss the effect of helping turtle eggs, and later watching them return to the pond on a maintenance man at a truck yard, stunned that something so small he could do might last over a hundred years, if these turtles make it. A book that draws tears easily, from wounded turtles, the passing of these creatures, and people just being helpful. A book that fills people with hope, even as everything seems to be burning.

A great book for all ages. Precocious children with interest in turtles will love this, even if it has to be read to them, and maybe learn about the people that the child meets each day. Sy Montgomery is a wonderful author, who captures both nature and human nature so wonderfully, and wants to share what Montgomery has seen with the world. A really great book, one that reminds people that learning new things can always be fun, challenging and amazing.

Sy Montgomery is one of my favorite authors because I love the way that she blends life lessons or musings with educational animal content.

I learned so much about turtles while reading this that I didn’t in my university herpetology class! Hearing stories from real animal rescuers was also amazing and I hope TRL gets a ton of support from readers of this book.
I think it’s important to note that this was written during the beginning of the Covid pandemic but I found Sy’s handling of weaving what was happening in the world as she wrote this book was handled with grace and authenticity. It impacted turtle rescue efforts and the writing of this book as much as it impacted everything else and Sy turned the pandemic into a way to muse about the passing of time and the natural flow of life to death. It was absolutely lovely and the hopefulness that she ends on was a much needed balm to this specific reader, as I think it will also be to future readers.

I am so very grateful to Mariner Books and NetGalley for allowing me an e-copy in exchange for an honest review; thank you so very much!

As a turtle lover, I was excited about this book. While I loved those portions, the book was far more political than I expected. I read to get away from that, so this book really missed the mark for me.

Wow! I had no idea there are so many different turtles! Another fascinating book by the awesome Sy Montgomery. Perhaps a little long and repetitive but Sy is definitely invited to my literary dinner party. .

I normally love reading Sy Montgomery's books. I have read several of them and have hand sold numerous copies of The Soul of an Octopus. I learned so much about turtle preservation and rescue, and that is why I read this book, and it is what I enjoyed about this book.

However, Of Time and Turtles took a surprisingly political turn in the last half of the book that I found to be pretty disappointing. I find that a lot of people are reading to escape the politics of COVID and the riots, and political agendas that have all stemmed from this time period in our lives. I just didn't want to read about it in this book, other than to know that Of Time and Turtles took place during COVID. If the politics had been left out, I probably would have given this book a 5 star review instead of a 3 star review.

This review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Another fantastic book from Sy Montgomery. I simply love her writing about animals. We meet so many dedicated turtle folks in this book and learn so much about these fascinating animals. It is truly an absolute pleasure to read anything that Montgomery writes. This book is no exception. Thank you for allowing me to read it. I am encouraging everyone I know to pick it up when it is released in a few months.

Thank you for providing me the opportunity to review "Of Time and Turtle”. I am appreciative and leave my sincerity review voluntarily

I read half of the book and was not compelled to finish. I was expecting this to be more nature focused and didn't feel the writing style was for me.

I loved the turtle parts of this book! My fam is super into turtles and I learned a lot. The parts about time & the pandemic were not my favorite - I’m not sure I’m ready to read about Covid yet. But so glad to have read so many great turtle tales!

I really enjoyed reading this book as it takes you on a journey. The writing in this book was extremely thoughtful and inspiring. I especially enjoyed learning about what goes into rescuing and caring for turtles at such a large scale.
A lot of what Montgomery discussed in this book hit home for me, as someone who has experience rescuing and rehabbing injured terrapin. I found myself relating to a lot of the stories told in this book. I will definitely be recommeding this book to my friends.

This has been one of my favorite reads this year. I love reading Sy Montgomery because she really tries to get to know the animals she writes about. She lets them teach her by being inquisitive and respectful towards them, then puts what she has learned into her wonderful books. I was fascinated by this book. It focuses on turtle rescue and the plight of turtles everywhere in an increasingly difficult world. Climate change and human interference have made it very hard for turtles to live the long lives they normally would, but Sy documents the brave people trying to right this wrong. She weaves in many of the uncomfortable events happening in the lives of humans as well. Telling what she has learned about life from these beautiful and misunderstood creatures, Sy Montgomery has produced another fantastic read in her classic nature memoir style.
(While reading this book I had the honor of witnessing a box turtle cross through my yard. To say that I was elated would be an understatement. Thank you turtles for filling the world with wonder.)

4.5 stars. I loved this unexpectedly enlightening and inspiring nonfiction book in which we learn about and ponder turtles, humans, time, and climate change.

Montgomery introduces many of the injured turtles who find themselves at the Turtle Rescue League in Massachusetts. Some are treated and released quickly, many take months or years to heal from their often human caused injuries or illnesses--being run over, kept in captivity with poor food and living conditions, and intentionally harmed are shamefully common. A few are just too damaged to leave captivity and live out their days at the TRL. We learn about those individuals, see how they interact with humans, each other, and the environment. And we learn a great deal about the quirky individuals who dedicate huge chunks of their lives and hearts to helping turtles.

The meditations on time are also compelling and are in no way distractions from the main theme. Consider this: humans with normal sight can see 60 images per second as seamless, that's called a flicker fusion rate of 60. Dogs have a flicker fusion rate of 80, so they can see the blanks between images on television and the flapping wings of a hummingbird. Turtles have a flicker fusion rate of 8, meaning they see as a fleeting flicker of motion the auto barreling down on them at 55mph and hummingbirds are all but invisible to them. I find myself imagining the world from their perspective while on a hike or weeding the garden and marveling.

The very best books make us see the world differently and open our minds to other perspectives. They stay with us. "Of Time and Turtles" has been added to my Best Of list.

Thank you to Mariner Books, the author and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.

Of Time and Turtles
By Sy Montgomery
Pub Date Sept. 19, 2023
Mariner
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion,
* nonfiction
I have read and enjoyed many of Montgomerys books. I love the journey about nonfiction animals,
As always a beautifully written book.
I highly recommend this for people interested in rescuing turtles.
5 stars

I have read so many of Sy Montgomery's books, and every time I have no idea where the book will go, but I know that I will love the journey (and that there will be animals). This book focusing on turtles while intersecting the pandemic and aging is another beautiful edition to Montgomery's oeuvre. She writes with such compassion and thoughtfulness that its almost meditative to read. I learned so much about turtles and the conservation, rescue, and care efforts.
I appreciated the diverse cast of people and animals that we meet along the way in this journey. Our human cast includes the deafblind, trans, POC, and people young and old who all get involved to help turtles. Montgomery doesn't flinch away from the tragedies and looming threats (both for turtles and humans) but there is always the thread of hope and awe in what can be accomplished.
As always a beautifully written work, that I think teaches as much about turtles and nature as it does about humanity.

This wasn't what I expected, but it was quite good! I enjoyed the storytelling, and the cover art is phenomenal.

I learned so much about turtles from this book; reading it was a pleasure! The stories and encounters kept me coming back for more. I highly recommend Of Time and Turtles!

I have been waiting years to read this book, even since Sy Montgomery came to speak (over zoom) at one of my book discussions for the library. The gals and I had the best time of our lives talking with her.
I loved getting to know Alexxia and Natasha through this book. As I fight for the wildlife rehab center in my own city I am inspired by these women and their drive to save turtles.
I want all of my students (I now work in deafblind services) to know about Natasha.
Also Percy who runs at people, because people don't realize turtles have personality.
I love everything about this book. I am so glad I got to read it. Thank you for the ARC.
I will be buying a copy.