The Meinertzhagen Mystery: The Life and Legend of a Colossal Fraud

摘要

Garfield rues that his book can only touch the surface of RM's hallucinations or deceptions, though he presents a sufficiency by the dozen (and he scrupulously cites works and letters by Michael Occleshaw that defend RM). RM did real harm to ornithology; many fine ornithologists are having to go grimly through life sweeping up after RM's elephant parade, instead of devoting their time and talents to expanding knowledge. There are among us liars; unfortunately, some go into ornithology, so we should beware. I recommend this book to anyone interested in Middle Eastern history, science, or the corruptibility of human nature.