The Murder of Dian Fossey

Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.

Gorillas in the Mist is Dian Fossey's own account of her groundbreaking study of African mountain gorillas. The book provides a detailed social history of the gorilla groups she studied, including their personalities, family groupings, and survival strategies. It also includes scientific data on their diet, mating habits, and other zoological aspects. Fossey's narrative is marked by her light and cheerful style, yet it is also interspersed with passages of deep grief and trauma, particularly in her descriptions of the gorillas' deaths at the hands of poachers.