Dr. Donald M. Linzey speaks about his new memoir, Rescued! at Blacksburg Books.
Angelica Ramos
Contributing Writer
BLACKSBURG- Virginia Tech herpetology and mammalogy professor, Dr. Donald M. Linzey, held a reading at Blacksburg Books May 30, 2024 to debut his memoir Rescued!.
Linzey discussed his new book and presented a slide show explaining some of the photos in the memoir. Linzey is a wildlife biologist, so his memoir explores how he shared his love and passion for wildlife with his two sons, David and Thomas, ultimately inspiring them as they grew and now into their careers. David Linzey is a veterinarian in Boone, North Carolina, where he and his wife have opened a 24-hour emergency animal hospital. Thomas Linzey has been practicing environmental law for over 20 years. In the memoir, Donald’s sons say their career choices are because of their father’s passion for nature.
Donald Linzey has taught science, ecology, herpetology and other related courses at universities like Cornell University, the University of South Alabama, and Virginia Tech for over 55 years. He conducts extensive research and has written 14 books including A Natural History Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Snakes of Alabama. Linzey received both his master’s and Ph.D. degrees from Cornell University and now is a board member for the Montgomery County Humane Society.
During his reading, Linzey recounted stories highlighted in his memoir about rehabilitating two raccoons named Blacky and Rascal who went on to be released and have kits of their own; as well as rehabilitating flying squirrels who, at one point, flew around his home and one of them learned how pick the lid off of the cookie jar. Linzey also discussed the two caves on his property, 35 acres that is now a wildlife reserve, that he found with his sons. One cave, Dave’s Cave, was found to have contained a species of millipede that was thought to have been extinct but is not and lives on Linzey’s property. From the wild creatures Linzey loves so much, like mountain lions, to the domestic creatures he held dear, like his dogs Blacky, Candi, Nellie and Brandi, Linzey’s memoir and reading were full of not only scientific information, but also the joy of someone who loves and respects nature.
Attendees of the reading and Blacksburg Books staff enjoyed hearing Linzey’s stories and had first-hand exposure to his extensive wildlife knowledge.
