Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
One of the most interesting books people will never read..., January 26, 2006
Alaska's Wolf Man: The 1915-55 Wilderness Adventures of Frank Glaser, by Jim Rearden, is one of those obscure books that, when you take the time to read it, amazes you that you hadn't heard of it earlier.
Fairbanks, Alaska, fur trapper Joe Mattie gave me this copy. I need to thank Joe for this.
Frank Glaser was in love with Alaska, hunting, dogs, and wildlife. Although the title of this book leads one to believe it focuses on wolves, you'll learn about bighorn, sled dogs, Alaskan winters, Alaska geography, and more.
Jim Rearden bases this book on actual interviews with Frank Glaser done forty years earlier. Readon stated:
"Most biologists spend at least a hitch or two patrolling ivory towers. Some, of course, fail to descend at all and may go into teaching. Those who take to the field and root about almost always reach the same conclusion when it comes to predators: wolf fact belies wolf fiction, though each is begrimed by politics. Inronically those who most decry political manipulation of fish and game management are the first to apply such pressure when it comes to wolves."
Amen.
So what does Frank Glaser say about wolves? He wrote:
"I don't mind shooting wolves but every tine I find one in my traps I feel ashamed and can hardly get up the nerve to shoot they are the real gentleman of the predatory animal family" (pg. 120).
"You know that about nine tenths of the men trapping use traps that are so small and weak to hold a wolf so the result is most every wolf before he is a year old gets in a small trap for a few minutes then either pulls out or breaks the chain and it is part of his education" (pgs 121-122).
"Over a 40-year period I handled more than 500 dead wolves in Alaska" (told to Rearden, pg 133).
"I have never known of a healthy wolf to tackle a man except in cases of mistaken identity. When they see their mistake they back off. Most wolves aren't even aggressive when they're in a trap" (told to Rearden, pg 315).
Clearly, Glaser has the experience to rank him as a wolf capture expert. Throughout this book he debunks some popular ideas, pans others, and reinforces the rest. To find out which is which, read this book!
Thanks again, Joe.
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18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating account of early 20th century life in Alaska., July 25, 1999
This is a great journal of a man living in the wilderness, doing predator control in Alaska in the early 1900s. His observations on the wildlife in general and wolves in particular are excellent. His real life stories paint a clear picture of true wolf behavior that often contrasts with today's romanticizing of the animal. If you are interested in animal damage control trapping, early Alaska or just good observations on wolves and their prey from someone who spent a lot of time with them, this book will entertain and educate you. I highly recommend it.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the Best, January 11, 2000
By A Customer
Alaska's Wolf Man ranks as one of the best books I have ever read.. period. Myself, and many of my fellow Alaskans have read this book and enjoyed it greatly. It is full of history and adventurous tales about Alaska. Anyone with a love for the outdoors, wildlife, hunting or trapping would love this book! Rearden has a wonderful way of telling a story which draws you in. I couldn't put this book down until I had read it all.
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