Moose: Behavior, Ecology, Conservation [Hardcover]

Valerius Geist (Author), Michael H. Francis (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1999

In outstanding photos and authoritative text, Moose covers the natural history of moose around the world, including range, diet, personality traits, breeding, social structure, and their interaction with humans both today and in history. Geist, a zoologist and professor, details the threats they face, and he passionately pleads for their preservation. Moose also includes sidebars and appendices, plus a list of organizations involved in moose issues. For moose hunters, naturalists, & wildlife photographers.

Valerius Geist of Port Alberni, British Columbia is the author of Voyageur Press' Buffalo Nation: History and Legend of the North American Bison and Mountain Sheep, for which he won the 1972 Book of the Year Award from The Wildlife Society. He has also been a consultant to the National Geographic Society on several books and television specials.

Michael H. Francis of Billings, Montana is an internationally recognized wildlife photographer whose work has appeared in dozens of books and magazines. His images appeared in Voyageur Press' A Wilderness Called Grand Canyon, Black Bear: Seasons in the Wild, Buffalo Nation, Grizzly Bears, Eagles: Masters of the Sky, Majestic Whitetails, Majestic Elk, and many others.

Also recommended: Bears: Behavior, Ecology, Conservation; Elk: Behavior, Ecology, Conservation; Mule Deer: Behavior, Ecology, Conservation; Big Game of North America; Antlers.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The moose, the largest living member of the family that includes deer and elk, is the beneficiary of a rare change of environmental fortune that has worked out to nature's advantage. Thanks to careful conservation policies, the moose has expanded its range significantly in the last century, growing in numbers and spreading beyond its native range throughout subarctic North America and Eurasia to new homes in the southern Rocky Mountains and southern Scandinavia.

Russian-born scientist Valerius Geist, a longtime contributor to National Geographic and other popular publications, here offers a highly readable, affectionate, and entertaining natural history of the moose. In text accompanied by Michael Francis's color photographs, Geist explains why moose are small in some places and large in others (the more mature the plant environment in which it lives, the smaller the moose); discusses migratory patterns, mating habits, social organization, and other aspects of ecology; and honors the moose's highly developed intelligence ("moose," he writes, "are programmed for learning"). With continued conservation efforts and continued goodwill on the part of humans, Geist foresees a healthy future for the moose, even in the face of global climate change that threatens the creature's favored habitats. --Gregory McNamee

From Library Journal

Outstanding color photographs by noted wildlife photographer Francis eloquently tell the story of the moose in its natural setting. Accompanying the photographic essay is authoritative text by Geist, a zoologist who has served as a consultant to the National Geographic Society on similar books and television specials. Geist introduces the reader to the natural history of the moose, discussing the different species of moose, social structure, diet, personality, breeding, habitat, and interaction with humans. The book will appeal to wildlife enthusiasts and to those seeking factual information about the moose. It should be equally appreciated for its aesthetic value and for its informational content. Highly recommended for natural history collections.
-Deborah Emerson, Monroe Community Coll., Rochester, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Voyageur Press (MN); Ex Libris edition (December 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0896584224
• ISBN-13: 978-0896584228
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #651,696 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A scientific journey of discovery, December 14, 1999

By 

Stephen F. Stringham, PhD (Alaska) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Moose: Behavior, Ecology, Conservation (Hardcover)

Val Geist is world renown as the dean of behavioral ecologists (ethologists) of the hooved mammals (ungulates) of the northern hemisphere. Fritz Walther, an extraordinary ungulate ethologist in his own right, once described Geist as having a mind that combines the vastness of the Russian Steppe (Geist's natal homeland), with the meticulousness of Germany (where he spent his youth) and the audacity of North America (where he has spent his adulthood). Bull's eye.

I know of no wildlife biologist with greater depth of knowledge and creative insight, or greater courage and dedication in applying his knowledge to the challenge of real world conservation.

Coming full circle, Geist has finally writen an entire book devoted to the moose, an animal whose behavior he (like I) studied extensively during his youth.

We who have had the pleasure of reading his numerous other books and scientific papers know that each leads the reader on a rare and delightful intellectual journey of discovery. His insights are always fresh and vibrant, built on an extraordinarily wide knowledge of the literature combined with in depth firsthand knowledge. This book is no exception.

To any reader seriously interested in moose or just wildlife in general, this work is an extraordinary find.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating look at a fascinating creature, February 3, 2001

By 

Mary Jamba (Cleveland, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Moose: Behavior, Ecology, Conservation (Hardcover)

Since a child, moose have always amazed me. Turning to popular wildlife texts, however, I found that very few such books ever mentioned these magnificent deer. Finally a book has come along to fill this void.

Dr. Geist is a renown expert in cervid biology and conservation. His expertise regarding moose ecology in North America and Eurasia shines through every page of this book. He has the rare ability to combine personal experiences with potentially dry biology information to produce very readable prose. I truly enjoyed this text! The accompanying photos were also spectacular. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the moose.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!, December 17, 2006

By 

D. Jacobson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Moose: Behavior, Ecology, Conservation (Paperback)

This book is Great! I enjoyed every word of it. The information that Valerius Geist shares with us is very interesting! I haven't been so excited while reading a book in a while. He provides all kinds of great information on evolution, habits, habitats, diet, survival tactics, the rut, and the raising of a new generation and some information on the moose's future and relationship with man, as well as some interesting stories from his own personal experiences! The photos are amazing as well! This book, I felt walked the line of being very informative, but not to complicated. It is definitely a book that appeals to a broad audience. If you are interested in moose, pick up this book!