This book investigates the life and conservation efforts of Dian Fossey, focusing on her dedication to protecting the mountain gorillas of central Africa. The author, Norma Shapiro, utilizes biographical data and historical accounts to document Fossey's twenty-year commitment to the Virunga Mountains. The text presents a chronological framework that highlights the intersection of wildlife preservation and the human threats posed by poaching and regional conflict.

This text is widely recognized as an accessible educational resource for students learning English as a second language. Experts highlight the clear, simplified prose as a successful method for introducing complex conservation topics to a younger or non-native audience.