Customer Reviews

The Animal Dialogues: Uncommon Encounters in the Wild

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Reviewed by Al Olsen

Have you ever wondered about the history of the mountain goat in the continental United States? Or why the rancher who is trying to decrease the coyote population on his ranch seems to only get more coyote pups? These two questions and many, many more are explained in this wonderfully written book by author Craig Childs. His usage of the English language is eloquent, to say the least. This is top-quality writing from a sharp observer who describes himself as a naturalist or adventurist.

This book is a collection of thirty-seven essays of varying lengths. They are all personal encounters covering topics from mosquitoes to bears. Most of them are reflections written about these animals in the wild, in varying locations like the Sonora Desert in Mexico, or the Yukon River. He also wrote an interesting piece about birds flying into and out of the twin beams where the World Trade Center once stood.

One of the most distinctive aspects of his style of writing is the way that he plays with words and puts them opposite words that are unusual. Here is an example from his essay on the rainbow trout that clearly shows the fun that he has in describing it. "The motions that followed the length of its body caused great momentum. It moved as if it were solid energy prepared to erupt but satisfied with remaining in one place for a short time. It was as if water had taken a concrete a form and speckled itself with lavenders and reds."

Some of the more interesting pieces of trivia were cleverly disguised in his essay on porcupines. For instance, a porcupine's digestive system is nearly a third of its body weight. Then he goes on to talk about the quills. There is a greasy layer of fatty acid that coats the quill. A researcher discovered that this substance is mostly palmitic acid, which is a strong antibiotic as effective as penicillin. This is fascinating stuff!

This book would challenge high school students to expand their vocabulary-or for anyone who enjoys animals. A fun, educational, and delightful read!

Armchair Interviews says: Highly recommended.

Craig Childs has taken his experiences in the wild and brought them to you, but the best part is you can do what he does on your own. He does not try and convince you that a seasoned pro such as himself is the only person to view and be viewed by the wonders of nature. Come get lost in this book and then go get lost in nature. Nothing would make the author more happy. Child's writing style has a flow and credibility to it that few other authors have. Join Craig while he serenades a coyote, scares (although by accident) a mountain lion and does his very best to help (yes help) a bull shark. Happy Reading!

The Animal Dialogues
Uncommon Encounters in the Wild
Craig Childs
ISBN: 978-0-316-06632-7
Little, Brown and Company, 2007

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for ReviewYourBook.com
5 Stars

Even as a child, Craig Childs was intrigued and felt an affinity with wild life. He took notes and recorded sounds as he walked the fields below the east side of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Childs is a naturalist and adventurer. In his recent book, The Animal Dialogues, he shares a few of his adventures with readers. One section of the book is dedicated to his encounters with bears. I find it fascinating that the bears seem to respect Childs and to see him as no threat. The raccoon was not so pleasant. Childs sought to help the starving animal. When deer mice became a problem, the wisest solution seemed to be a cat. The feline predator formed a "Zone of Death." Few creatures were safe, squirrels, chipmunks, birds and rabbits were his prey. Nothing was safe except the mice.

The Animal Dialogues is written with a unique understanding and respect for animals. Craig Childs has a talent for the retelling of his encounters, weaving in fascinating details to form a tapestry that few can experience. Those who care for wildlife will not want to miss The Animal Dialogues.

I purchased "The Secret Knowledge of Water" by Craig Childs, and picked up the "Animal Dialogues" at the same time. After reading both books, I will buy more by this author. Vivid descriptions of places and happenings make his experiences come alive. The short chapters on each species give his own story and some scientific information on the animal as the story unfolds. I have learned much, and enjoy his take on the face to face encounters with some of the animals. We can identify with the cat and mouse tales in the Tipi. The Mountain Lion encounters were incredibly intense. This will really make me be more aware of where I am and what is around me when walking up the slot canyons and in the river wash. The footprints we find will be a little more of a wake up call, then just 'Oh neat! A fresh Mountain Lion foot print!"

I have greatly enjoyed reading this naturalist's account of personal encounters he has had with animals in the wild. He demonstrates a respect, as well as a healthy fear, of the big predators such as mountain lions, bears, and jaguars. Intertwined with the adventures, Craig Childs provides details and meaningful information on creatures as diverse as mosquitos and Blue Sharks. It is a personal account which is accurate and does not romanticize the animals he describes.

I came across Craig Childs in the Sun magazine, where an excerpt from Animal Dialogues, The Ravens, was included. Glued to the short story of his experience with the ravens in a lone area in Utah, I was delighted to find an entire book of such encounters.

Most people, myself included, these days, learn about animals from television cameras on Nature on public television or on the Discovery channel. The author brings these encounters closer to home and reminds us, indirectly, and through the active engagement of reading, that not so long ago, most humans shared the world with animals, learned from them and understood that these earthly companions have important messages to relay, just by their being who they are.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I'm reading it again to my children. It is a wonderful mix of science and storytelling. Anyone who is interested in nature or wildlife will not be disappointed. However, if your idea of entertainment is Hollywood movies, complete with car chases and explosions, you might want to look elsewhere. This is non-fiction after all. Most of us will never experience anything like what this author has encountered, thanks for sharing Craig.

This is a beautifully poetic book of one naturalists intimate encounters with animals in the wild. I highly recommend it for anyone who has a love of and interest in animals.

Fascinating. This book is composed of stand- alone chapters. Each chapter is about a different animal. I learned a bunch. While reading, I lived in the "wild" vicariously, and thoroughly enjoyed the writing. Highly recommended.

If you enjoy a combination of natural history and lyrical narrative, then you will be enthusiastic about this book. You learn a great deal about each of the animals mentioned, as well as receiving some story/stories of appreciation and intrigue related to each. I savored this book, and also found it good for reading aloud with friends. If you have found yourself sharing some form of communication with a wild animal--or wishing you would--then I believe you will really delight in this book.