Who Was Jane Goodall? Jane Goodall Books, Classes, Barbies, Buy Online

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Legendary anthropologist and zoologist Dame Jane Goodall died at the age of 91 on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. Goodall, best known for living among chimpanzees for over 60 years, revolutionized conservation efforts, founded the Jane Goodall Institute to protect wildlife, and made discoveries that forever changed the way humans interact with nature.

Beyond these achievements, Goodall was an accomplished author, publishing more than 25 books ranging from children’s picture books to adult paperbacks — many of which became New York Times bestsellers. Her most recent hardcover, The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times (2022), was released as a message to humanity. In it, she offered what would become some of her final lessons for creating a better, more hopeful future.

“Take this dire environmental nightmare we are living in today. We certainly hope that it is not too late to turn things around — but we know that this change will not happen unless we take action,” Goodall wrote in this 272-page book. “So by being active, you become more hopeful?” “Well, you have it both ways. You won’t be active unless you hope that your action is going to do some good. So you need hope to get you going, but then by taking action, you generate more hope. It’s a circular thing.”

Following the news of her death, The Book of Hope — retailing for just under $14 — quickly returned to Amazon charts. Readers praised its inspiring words, with one Amazon reviewer writing: “I highly recommend this to anyone who needs a sage, kind voice to help them through the craziness of the world right now.”

Other beloved Goodall titles remain widely available, including My Life with the Chimpanzees, Seeds of Hope, and In the Shadow of Man. For those who want to go beyond her words on a page, Goodall’s 2017 MasterClass is currently accessible, where you can “learn how to act locally and protect the planet,” according to the official description.

Throughout her life, Goodall has become a cultural icon and an inspiration to millions worldwide. In recognition of her influence, Mattel honored her in 2022 with a Barbie doll in the “Inspiring Women” series, which can be found below.