Customer Reviews

Trail of the Wolf

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4 star:		(1)
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Any wolf lover is sure to delight in this book. Author R.D. Lawrence, once admittedly afraid of the creatures, is now a wolf biologist and has studied them for four decades. Much of the information here is based on his own first-hand observations. In the introduction he tells us of the incidents that brought him face-to-face with wolves and sparked his keen interest in them. From there on the book is divided into chapters on the definition and evolution of the wolf, the pack structure, hunting, family life, Lawrence's own experiences raising orphaned wolf pups, the interactions of wolves and humans, and the current status of wolves all over the world. Though some parts are outdated (the book was written in 1993), most of the information is still good today. Lawrence's writing is smooth and easy to read, and though a few biases come across, he does a decent job of keeping a factual base.

The book is also a definite visual treat. The pictures within are by a variety of different photographers, but they are well selected. All are clear, full color, and very beautiful. I do, however, wish some of them had been printed in a larger size; while some are full or half page, there are also many rather tiny ones. The pages are all aesthetically pleasing, with plenty of white space in the margins (bordering on too much, in some cases) so that nothing feels cramped. The lines of text are also nicely spaced, to make for unstrained reading. The pages are thick and glossy and give the book an elegant feel. I'd definitely recommend this to any fan of wolves, as it makes a beautiful coffee-table book and also an interesting read.

This is a beautiful book and I received it in the condition as advertised.

Also received it in the time frame allowed.

Good purchase.

As a photographer and retired psychologist I am fascinated by human behavior and more recently attitudes about wolves. Over the last few years my husband and I have spent several weeks during the winter in Yellowstone. We began photographing wolves after noticing the numbers of wolf watchers who huddled with their scopes watching the animals. We began to understand their behavior and how the reintroduction to Yellowstone balanced the ecology. We also realized after our visits, how many people feared and/or hated wolves. Naturalist R.D. Lawrence addresses these issues in a thorough way, making a good case for the preservation of the wolf. His opinions reflect what we have experienced first-hand. He explains why the hybrids (wolves bred with dogs or coyotes) have given wolves a bad name. Agree with it or not it? I do--It should be read.

I recommend this book for those seeking facts and observation as opposed to the mythology of wolves. The author's in-field and in-captivity experiences with wolves allow readers to experience what they'll likely not be able to observe firsthand. There is illumination on some of the often unwarranted vilification of wolves. An example is a probable explanation for the killing of people in Europe by wolves, whereas deadly encounters in the New World are extremely rare. During the Middle Ages Europeans bred large mastiff-like dogs. Ironically, they were developed to keep wolves away. As they were allowed to run free, many inter-bred with wolves. The hybrid offspring did not have the innate fear of humans and were likely the perpetrators of the attacks blamed on wolves. Records of the "wolves" that were killed show them to be well over hundred pounds, much larger than the typical sixty-five pounds of European wolves. Without rabies, or extreme pressure, wolves naturally avoid human contact. As history shows, facts are easier to hide than an often repeated mythology.