National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore reveals all in this memoir about his challenging—even death-defying—efforts to photograph wild animals, leading to the Photo Ark, his lifelong project to save species and habitats.

Written with heart and humor, this is a globe-spanning tale of dedication ranging on obsession, the conflict of work and family, and the urgent need to protect Earth’s biodiversity.

Here is the entertaining story—sometimes hilarious, sometimes poignant, always engaging—of the most ambitious photography project ever: the National Geographic Photo Ark, a mission to photograph all animal species in human care around the world. We're talking 30,000 species or more.

Sartore starts from humble beginnings as a Wichita, Kansas, newspaper photographer with his sights on the big time: National Geographic magazine. Finally hired, his assignments take him from the Arctic to Brazil, Africa to New Guinea.

But soon, the realities of this dream job set in on him. He destroyed a rental car scouting grizzlies in Alaska. He watched as a wound caused by an Amazonian flesh-eating parasite grew bigger and bigger on his leg. After a bat pooped in his eye in Uganda, he quarantined at home for three weeks, fearful of having contracted the deadly Marburg virus. Anything to get the shot. 

None of these escapades deter him, though, as he discovers his true mission in life: to create the Photo Ark, a collection of animal portraits so intense they make you look these creatures straight in the eye and care about them. From ant to elephant, says Sartore, they need us—and we need them.

Now Sartore tells the whole story of his trials and tribulations, his balancing act between family and career, and his deep commitment to the cause as he traces the long and winding path to creating the world's largest archive of animal portraits. Sure to have you laughing and crying, amused by the author's lovable personality and inspired by his determination, this book shows what one photographer can do to save the planet.